Murakami has a humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

On April 1, 2008, the towns of Arakawa and Sanpoku and the villages of Asahi and Kamihayashi (all from Iwafune District) were merged into Murakami.

[5][6] Murakami has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Murakami Taisai [ja], a traditional regional festival, has been held in the downtown area on July 6 and 7, annually, since 1868.