After a long journey, the iyoboya salmon returns to the Mother Miomote River.

The Miomote River that flows from Mount Asahidake is 41 kilometers long. It flows through the Echigo Plains and into the Japan Sea by Murakami. Salmon come back from the North every year and spawn in this river between October and December. Thus, the river is known to the people as home to salmon. An annual fall event is held in this area where two boats spread a wide net and catch iyoboya salmon. Then the fish are prepared in various dishes --more than 100 recipes-- to fill the local dining tables. iyoboya has become the city's symbol and could be seen everywhere in all different designs.