Introduction to Miyagi Prefecture
Miyagi Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region and is an attractive area where beautiful natural scenery and historical sites coexist. Accessible from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen bullet train in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the area is easy for sightseeing. The area around Sendai Station is so developed that it could be mistaken for Tokyo, with a wide variety of commercial facilities and restaurants. Miyagi’s specialty is beef tongue. There are many beef tongue restaurants in downtown Sendai, and you will not be disappointed at any of them. You will not be disappointed with the tender and tasty beef tongue. I often go to Sendai for work, and since there are many ramen shops and izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), I recommend staying in the Sendai Station area. Since it is in a rural area, hotel rates are not too expensive, so it is easy to go there.
Geographical location
Miyagi Prefecture is located at the southern tip of Japan’s Tohoku region, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Ou Mountains to the west. It borders Iwate Prefecture to the north and Fukushima Prefecture to the south.
History & culture
Miyagi Prefecture has the following history and culture.
- Masamune Date: Warlord of the Warring States period, known as the founder of the Sendai clan.
- Zuiganji Temple: Built by Date Masamune, this temple is the head temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect. It is designated as a national treasure.
- Sendai Tanabata Festival: Held annually from August 6 to 8, this is one of the three major Tanabata festivals in Japan.
- Kokeshi: Traditional wooden dolls made in Miyagi Prefecture.
- Beef tongue: Beef tongue is a specialty, and beef tongue restaurants line every street in downtown Sendai.
Tourist attraction
Miyagi Prefecture has many tourist attractions related to nature and history.
Matsushima
Matsushima is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, with beautiful islands and scenery. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of more than 260 islands of various sizes. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Miyagi Prefecture. In the Matsushima area, there is Zuigonji Temple, built by Date Masamune, and a tourist center where you can enjoy freshly caught seafood and sake, making it a great place for a full day of sightseeing.
Sendai Castle
This historical castle is located in Sendai City and is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot. It is one of the famous castles that all lovers of traditional Japanese temples and castles must visit.
Zuihouden
“Zuihouden” is a building dedicated to the Date family, including Lord Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai domain. It is a special facility with glittering decorations and is not only solemn and beautiful, but the garden around this facility is a special sightseeing spot where the scenery changes with the seasons.
Zuigenji Temple
This temple was built by Date Masamune. The exterior of the temple looks simple in construction, but the interior is very luxurious, with themes according to the purpose of use of the rooms, decorated with paintings and sculptures, and each ceiling structure is designed differently. It is recommended to visit this temple because it is only a 10-minute walk from Matsushima-kaigan Station.
Food culture
Miyagi Prefecture is an area where you can enjoy fresh seafood and local cuisine.
Beef tongue
A specialty of Sendai City, this is a thick slice of beef tongue grilled over charcoal. Thick yet very tender, it is a must-try dish when you come to Sendai.
Seafood in Miyagi
Fresh seafood from the waters off Miyagi Prefecture is abundant, and sushi and sashimi can be enjoyed. In the Matsushima area, fresh seafood is also available, including raw and grilled oysters and sea urchins.
Zunda Mochi
It is a rice cake confection made by grinding edamame (soybeans) and adding sugar. It is sold at souvenir shops such as train stations.
Sasa Kamaboko
Since Miyagi Prefecture has long been rich in seafood, our ancestors devised a variety of processed foods to avoid wasting the large quantities of fish and shellfish that they caught. One such product is sasa-kamaboko. The fish is caught in different seasons, and the meat is processed, ground, shaped like a bamboo leaf, and baked before eating.
Ramen
There are numerous ramen shops in downtown Sendai. One of my favorites is Sendaiko Ramen. It is a ramen with thick noodles in a rich soup made from a combination of pork bones and soy sauce. The soup is creamy and thick, making it the kind of ramen I like to eat after a few drinks. There are also various other types of ramen shops, such as light soy sauce ramen and creative ramen, so please try to find the ramen you like.
Activities
There is a wide range of activities that can be enjoyed in Miyagi Prefecture.
Matsushima Cruise
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of more than 260 islands of various sizes from the ship. Why not view “Songdo Bay” from a cruise ship, a world-class spectacular view like Mont Saint-Michel Bay in France or Ha Long Bay in Vietnam?
Sendai City Gourmet Tour
There are many restaurants in downtown Sendai. In particular, there are many restaurants serving beef tongue and fresh seafood, all of which are of the highest quality.
The following is a list of bars in downtown Sendai.
- Hapina Nakakecho Shopping Street
- Chris Road Shopping Street
- Nakakecho Center Street
- Marble Road Omachi Shopping Street
- Sun Mall Ichibancho Shopping Street
- Bunka Yokocho
- Iroha Yokocho
- Sendai Ginza
- Toichi Market
Winter sports
The mountainous areas of Miyagi Prefecture have plenty of snow and are ideal for winter sports. Zao Town in particular is popular among skiers and snowboarders for its many slopes. Snow trekking is also popular in this area.
Tour of a hot spring
There are many hot spring resorts in Miyagi Prefecture, and touring around the hot springs is recommended.
Below are the hot spring resorts located in Miyagi Prefecture.
- Akiu Onsen
- Naruko Onsenkyo
- Togatta Onsen
- Matsushima Onsen
- Sakunami Onsen
- Aone Onsen
- Kesennuma Onsen
Sake brewery tour
There are many sake breweries in the Tohoku region, and of course Miyagi Prefecture is also home to some delicious sake breweries. There are several breweries that can be visited by making a reservation in advance, so sake lovers are encouraged to take a tour of the breweries.
Seasonal Recommendations
Miyagi offers beautiful scenery and events in each of the four seasons.
Spring
- Cherry blossoms: Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed in Matsushima, Sendai City, and other locations throughout the prefecture.
- Strawberry picking: Miyagi Prefecture produces a large amount of strawberries, and visitors can enjoy sweet and sour strawberries in spring.
Summer
- Driving: Driving along the beautiful coastlines of Matsushima and Shiogama is exhilarating.
- Mountain Climbing: There are many mountains where mountain climbing can be enjoyed, such as Zao and Mt.
Autumn
- Autumn Foliage: You can enjoy autumn foliage in Zao, Naruko Onsenkyo, and other places in the prefecture.
- Mushroom picking: You can enjoy picking various kinds of mushrooms such as matsutake and shimeji mushrooms.
Winter
- Winter Sports: There are many ski resorts where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding, such as Zao and Naruko Onsenkyo.
- Onsen: You can warm up at Zao Onsen, Akiu Onsen, and other hot spring resorts with history and tradition.
Local Culture
宮城の地元文化に触れる機会も豊富です。
Festival
- Sendai Tanabata Festival: Held annually from August 6 to 8, this is one of the three major Tanabata festivals in Japan.
- The Shiogama Minato Matsuri: This is an annual festival held in July at Shiogama Shrine.
Traditional craft
- Armor associated with Date Masamune: Armor associated with Date Masamune is on display at the Sendai City Museum and other museums.
- Kokeshi: Traditional wooden dolls made in Miyagi Prefecture. The three major kokeshi dolls in Japan are Naruko kokeshi, Togatta kokeshi, and Tsuchiyu kokeshi, two of which originated in Miyagi Prefecture.
Transportation
Access to Miyagi Prefecture from Tokyo is by plane, bullet train, train, or highway bus.
Airplane
It takes about 1 hour from Haneda Airport to Sendai Airport. Although the time is short, the Shinkansen is more convenient considering the waiting time and the number of trains in operation.
Shinkansen
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station by Shinkansen. Board the Tohoku Shinkansen. The Shinkansen, the pride of Japan, is spacious, quiet, clean, and comfortable for travel.
Railway
It takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station by limited express train. Unless you are a train enthusiast or have too much time on your hands, the Shinkansen is convenient.
Express Bus
It takes about 7 hours from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station by highway bus. It is the cheapest means of transportation. You can make the most of your time if the bus leaves at night and arrives early in the morning.
Lastly
Miyagi Prefecture is a treasure trove of history, nature, and food. The beautiful nature of Matsushima and Zao, historical sites associated with Date Masamune, and specialty foods such as beef tongue and Zunda rice cakes are just a few of the diverse attractions that Miyagi Prefecture has to offer. We encourage you to visit.