Miyagi Prefecture is surrounded by natural beauty, with views of the Pacific Ocean and Mt. Zao.
Here are some popular locations where you can discover famous Miyagi tourist destinations, or simply appreciate nature.
- Sightseeing/Family
- Nature/Culture
- Events
- Dining/Shopping
Sightseeing
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Loople Sendai
Locations related to Masamune Date（one of the most famous samurai warriors in Japanese history) are an essential part of sightseeing in Sendai, but these tend to be a little far from Sendai Station. For a smooth experience of touring these locations, we recommend taking the Loople Sendai tour bus, which departs from Sendai Station.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
The Miyagi Museum of Art
The Miyagi Museum of Art, which opened in November 1981, collects Japanese paintings, oil paintings, prints, sculputures and artistic handicrafts from the Meiji Period（1868-1912）to the present, some of which have a connection with Miyagi Prefecture and the Tohoku region of Japan.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Sendai City Museum
Located in the former third bailey of Sendai Castle, Sendai City Museum holds approximately 90,000 materials and artifacts, such as materials related to the Keicho-era mission to Europe (which are National Treasures of Japan), materials donated by the Date clan, and historic materials relating to the former Sendai Domain, focusing on the Edo period of Japanese history.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Sendai Astronomical Observatory
Features a planetarium, where you can see the starry skies even on rainy days, and you can also take the opportunity to learn more about space with the 1.3m-diameter Hitomi telescope and exhibition rooms.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
Family
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Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
Fish of all kinds swim in a collection of nearly 100 stunning tanks. Get a window into both the seas of Tohoku and of the wider world. And don’t miss one of Tohoku’s biggest performances by dolphins and sea lions! The performances take place in a pool without an acrylic screen, allowing you to immerse yourself in the show and feel close to these amazing creatures.
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Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall
This hands-on museum takes the dreams of children to meet Anpanman and explore his world and makes them a reality.
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Pokémon Center Tohoku
Pokémon Center Tohoku is the hub for POKÉMON WITH YOU activities, which bring smiles to the children of Tohoku.
“Pokémon Center” official Pokémon shops sell game software, card games, and a diverse range of original merchandise, as well as offer all kinds of great services and campaigns for Pokémon fans.
© 2017 Pokémon. © 1995-2017 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon is a registered trademark of Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc. -
Yagiyama Benyland (amusement park)
Sendai’s famous amusement park. There are approximately 30 attractions to explore, including a Ferris wheel that gives you a view of the streets of Sendai.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort
This easily accessible ski ground can be reached by car from Sendai Station in about 60 minutes.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Zao Fox Village
Over 100 foxes of six different types roam free within the park. This attraction is a rare treat, and you can even get your photo taken while hugging the adorable, fluffy foxes.
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Irodori Soeru Shimanuki
There are five traditional types of kokeshi dolls in Miyagi Prefecture: Naruko kokeshi, Sakunami kokeshi, Togatta kokeshi, Yajiro kokeshi, and Hijiori kokeshi. Here, you can pick a shape of your choice from a large selection of unpainted kokeshi dolls before finishing it.
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Day-Trip Hot Spring (Akiu)
The Akiu hot spring village has long been one of the highlight’s of Sendai tourism. Easily accessible by car in about 30 minutes from Sendai Station, this hot spring destination lends itself to casual visits.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
Nature
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Matsushima
The Matsushima Pleasure Boat enables you truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Matsushima, one of Japan’s three greatest scenic views. Aboard the boat, you’ll hear announcements about Matsushima’s history, the origin of the island’s name, and more, letting you learn more about this famous sight and appreciate the spectacular scenery from the sea.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
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Naruko
The Naruko hot spring village has a history of over 1,000 years. This is a particularly large spa village made up of five hot spring areas: Naruko, Higashi-Naruko, Kawatabi, Nakayamadaira, and Onikobe.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Okama
Named after the Japanese word for “kettle”, this caldera lake is surrounded by the three ridges of Mt. Katta, Mt. Kumano, and Mt. Goshiki, parts of the volcanic cluster that make up Mt. Zao.
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Juhyo (Snow Monsters)
The juhyo are natural artworks created from the special weather conditions and plant life unique to Mt. Zao. Also known as “snow monsters,” they make for an incredible sight.
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Yamadera Temple
Along the 1015-step climb, you’ll find a number of attractive sights, such as the Konpon Chudo hall, an important cultural property of Japan, the Niomon gate, which was reconstructed in 1848, and the Semizuka stone monument, under which a strip of paper featuring a haiku composed by Basho at Yamadera is buried.
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Hiraizumi
Hiraizumi became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2011. The town features a number of historic temples and other historic sites, such as Chusonji Temple’s Konjikido building, a symbol of the area’s “gold culture” that was built by the Northern Fujiwara clan in the 12th century, and Motsuji Temple Garden, known as one of the most beautiful gardens in Tohoku.
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Ogawara (Ichimoku Senbonzakura cherry blossoms)
Witness the rows of blossoming cherry trees against the backdrop of the clear Shiraishi River and the snow-crested Mt. Zao—a sight truly representative of Ogawara.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
Culture
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Remains of Sendai Castle
The remains of the ruling family’s castle of the Date Domain, once the largest domain of northern Japan with an income of over 620,000 koku. It is also affectionately known as “Aoba Castle” by the people of Sendai, who nicknamed it after Mt. Aoba. At the statue of Masamune Date on a horse, which overlooks the castle town area, one can get a sweeping view of central Sendai.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Mediatheque
This multifunctional complex serves as an event space, library, and more.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Shiroishi Castle
The remains of Shiroishi Castle, located in what is now Masuoka Park in the center of Shiroishi City, in southern Miyagi Prefecture.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Nikka Whisky Distillery
This red brick distillery is located in Miyagikyo, a place loved by Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru. Take in a tour of the distillery, or enjoy shopping at the distillery store.
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Dontosai Festival
At the Dontosai Festival, participants burn New Year’s decorations and warm themselves at a sacred fire to pray for a year of sound health and prosperity for the household.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
Events
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Aoba Festival
After a cessation that lasted many years, 350 years after the death of Masamune Date, the Sendai Aoba Festival was revived in 1985 as a citizen’s festival made by the citizens themselves.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Jazz Festival
The Jozenji Street Jazz Festival is a musical event from Sendai that has been held since September 1991. During the festival, the streets of Sendai are filled with the music of both amateur and professional musicians, with hundreds of bands participating.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Sendai Classical Music Festival
The Sendai Classical Music Festival, also popularly known as SENCLA, takes place every fall.
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YOSAKOI Festival
YOSAKOI is a popular dance festival that takes place across the country in a variety of formats, and continues to give rise to creative styles of dancing. The Michinoku YOSAKOI Festival is one such festival that originates from this culture.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division -
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
An illumination event that takes place during the winter season in Sendai. During the event, the zelkova trees of Sendai’s famous Jozenji-dori are decorated with a total of 600,000 light bulbs, and the beauty of the scene has made the street popular as a place to go on romantic dates.
Photograph courtesy of: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division
Dining
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Beef tongue
There are many restaurants throughout the city of Sendai where you can sample beef tongue. Don’t miss your chance!
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Sake breweries
Tohoku is one of Japan’s foremost sake-producing regions. The new sake season starts in fall—why not take the opportunity to go on a Tohoku sake brewery trip and visit some of the various breweries?
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Kirin Beer Brewery
A popular tourism spot in Sendai. The brewery holds free tours, where you can discover the painstaking production process behind Kirin Ichiban Shibori, as well as the secret of its flavor. (Booking required)
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Akiu Winery
Miyagi Prefecture’s first winery, which opened in December 2015 in the Akiu spa town, not far from central Sendai.
Shopping
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S-PAL Sendai
Conveniently adjoining Sendai Station, this station building complex is popular with both locals and tourists. In addition to a wealth of fashion items, the mall also features plenty of restaurants. There are also numerous souvenir shops selling classic Sendai items such as beef tongue, sasa kamaboko fish cakes, and zunda mochi rice cakes.
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Sendai Asaichi Market
The Sendai Asaichi Market is a street about 100 meters long lined with permanent-tenant stalls. With its fresh produce, specialist eateries, stalls selling processed foods, and more, it is also called “the kitchen of Sendai”.
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Minamisanriku Sun Sun Shopping Village
The Minamisanriku shopping village lives up to its name, with vibrant energy and beaming smiles that shine like the sun
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Onagawa Station Shops (Seapal-Pier Onagawa)
Umi ga mieru koen no machi (A town of public parks with a view of the ocean)
We created a thriving “place to be” in the village that overlooks the sea, with the goal of creating a place where both locals and people from outside the town can casually drop by and talk to each other. Through the brick station square and brick streets, we strived to develop a place that creates opportunities for interaction between daily life and the unusual (for example, tourism).
