Sendai City, the gateway to the beauty and history of Tohoku

Sendai City is located in the Tohoku region of Japan and is an attractive city that combines beautiful nature and traditional culture.

You can also enjoy historical buildings such as Sendai Castle Ruins and Zuihoden, beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots, and gourmet food such as beef tongue and local sake.

Sendai City has a comfortable environment, making it the perfect base for traveling around Tohoku.

In addition, many people are kind and warm, and they are active in international exchange.

Enjoy a rich experience in Sendai, where you can experience the charm of Japan.

Sendai City PR video

I'm sure I'll find what I want. Full of fun experiences in Sendai, Miyagi, and Tohoku!

Special experience projects in Sendai city and surrounding area

Katsuyama Enterprise Co., Ltd. Shozan

Matsushima Imperial Villa

atelier patio

French Culture Salon La Belvie

Ume love

Tour Wave Co., Ltd.

Sendai Royal Park Hotel

Princess Konohanasakuya

Samurai Armor Experience

Matsushima Seaside Base

Sendai Chuo Taxi Co., Ltd.

Access to Sendai City

If you want to go from Tokyo to Sendai, we recommend the Tohoku Shinkansen, which takes only 90 minutes one way.

Sendai allows you to travel between the two cities comfortably and conveniently.

We also have direct flights from overseas, and we receive a lot of visitors from Taiwan in particular.

Access to Tokyo takes at least 90 minutes

The Tohoku Shinkansen connects Sendai and Tokyo in as little as 90 minutes, providing a comfortable environment for day trips.

Hayabusa runs non-stop between Sendai and Omiya, providing good access to the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Sendai's carefully selected tourist spots

1.Sendai Castle Ruins

Sendai Castle was built by order of Lord Date Masamune.

Also known as Aoba Castle, it has been the center of feudal government for 270 years.

However, after the Meiji period, the area became land for the army, and many of the buildings were demolished, and most of the remaining buildings, such as the Otemon Gate, were destroyed in the Sendai Air Raid.

The entire area has now been developed as a park, and you can see the stone walls, the rebuilt side turret of the Otemon Gate, and the earthen wall on the north side of the Otemon Gate.

2. Zuihoden

The mausoleum of Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai domain.

It was built the following year by Lord Tadamune, the second lord of the domain, following the will of Lord Masamune, who died in 1636.

Around Zuihoden, there are Date family mausoleums and attached museums such as Kansenden, the mausoleum of Date Tadamune, and Zennoden, the mausoleum of Date Tadamune, and the entire area is known as the Kyogamine Date family cemetery in Sendai City. It is a designated historic site.

3. Osaki Hachiman Shrine

When Sendai Castle was built, Osaki Hachimangu Shrine was moved to Inui (northwest) by order of Date Masamune.

Since then, he has been revered as the general guardian of Sendai, especially as the guardian deity of those born in the Year of the Dog and the Year of the Pig.

The highlight is the national treasure shrine building, which is said to be a masterpiece of Momoyama architecture.

The worship hall is painted with black lacquer and has a calm atmosphere, but the roof and gates are decorated with elaborate and vivid decorations.

4. Sendai Akiu Onsen and Sendai Sakunami Onsen

[Sendai Akiu Onsen]

This hot spring town is located along the Natori River valley in the western part of Sendai City, and is lined with everything from high-class Japanese inns to reasonable accommodations for overnight stays.

It is easily accessible, about 30 minutes by car from downtown Sendai, and there are plenty of leisure activities, cafes, and restaurants nearby.

At the Futakuchi Gorge upstream of the Natori River, you can enjoy mountain climbing, canyoning, camping, and more.

[Sendai Sakunami Onsen]

In 721, when the monk Gyoki was traveling through the land of Oshu, he was lured by the cries of Buddhist monks and descended from the slopes of a deep forest. It is said that he taught people how to take a bath.

Later, in 1796, permission was obtained from Lord Date Saimura, the feudal lord, to build the foundation of a hot spring town, and this famous hot spring is still loved by many as a ``beauty-making hot spring.''

5 minutes by car from JR Senzan Line Sakunami Station

5. Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery

A Nikka whiskey brewery that rivals the Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido.

The distillery is located in the mountains near the border with Yamagata Prefecture, surrounded by Shinkawa and Hirose Rivers.

It was built in 1969 by Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese whisky, as the construction site for his second distillery after Yoichi.

On the free guided tour (internet reservation required), you can tour the distillery building and storage room, and also sample the whiskey. You'll also want to visit a shop that sells bottles exclusive to the distillery.

6. Sendai Uminomori Aquarium

One of the largest aquariums in Tohoku, located near Sendai Port.

It opened in 2015 as an "aquarium symbolizing recovery."

A wide range of exhibits are on display, from creatures off the coast of Sanriku to creatures from around the world.

Immediately beyond the entrance is the ``Inochi Kirameku Umi'', a huge aquarium that stretches up to the second floor and is 14m wide and 7.5m high. It was created in the image of the Sanriku sea, and about 30,000 creatures of 50 different species swim gracefully.

The dolphin, sea lion, and bird shows held at Uminomori Stadium, which can accommodate approximately 1,000 people, are also popular.

7. Sendai Daikannon

It is the largest Kannon statue in Japan, located in the precincts of Daikanmitsu-ji Temple, and its official name is Sendai Tendo Hakui Daikannon.

It was completed in 1991 at a construction cost of approximately 4 billion yen by a businessman who was promoting urban development of the surrounding area.

The height of the statue is 100m above the ground, and the number 100 celebrates the 100th anniversary of Sendai, which became an ordinance-designated city in 1989, and also symbolizes the coming prosperity of the 21st century. It comes from wishing for

Popular tourist destinations in the surrounding area are also easily accessible!

1. Zao Fox Village

More than 100 foxes will welcome you!

This is the only zoo in Japan where you can see many rare types of foxes. (About 1 hour by car from Sendai City)

2. Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan

Matsushima is a scenic spot that is considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.

If you want to see more of Matsushima, learn more about it, and have more fun, we have plenty of leisure facilities to meet your needs.

3.Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen offers retro scenery that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time.

In the hot spring town where wooden hot spring inns line both banks of the Ginzan River, gas lamps are lit at dusk, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

Sendai → (National Route 48/approx. 1 hour) → Higashine → (National Route 13/approx. 30 minutes) → Obanazawa IC → (approx. 30 minutes) → Ginzan Onsen

Sendai's carefully selected gourmet food! and shopping and eating spots

1. Sendai beef tongue grill

Sendai is the birthplace of the nationally known classic Sendai specialty grilled beef tongue.

The first beef tongue specialty restaurant was opened in 1945, and from there it spread throughout the country. The taste has now become firmly established as a ``Sendai specialty''.

Currently, it is said that there are about 100 specialty stores in Sendai city, which shows how popular it is.

You can order grilled beef tongue as a single item, but the standard one is the ``grilled beef tongue set'' which includes barley rice, tail soup, salted Chinese cabbage, cucumber, beef tongue, and miso-pickled green chili peppers.

Even though the menu is the same, each specialty restaurant has its own particularities, such as the part of beef tongue they use and the way they season it.

The one thing that remains the same is that beef tongue grilling is delicious no matter where you eat it. The fully aged ``Tan'' is quickly grilled on a wire rack over charcoal and served piping hot.

The juicy meat juices will fill your mouth with just the right texture.

2. Sendai morning market

"Sendai Morning Market" boasts easy access, just a 5-minute walk from Sendai Station.

There is also a restaurant that mainly uses fresh local Miyagi produce, so you can enjoy all of Miyagi's food, from shopping to dining.

It has its roots in the ``Aozora Market'' that opened in front of Sendai Station in 1945, and has now grown into a major shopping street with about 60 stores.

We carry a wide variety of ingredients, mainly vegetables and fruits, fresh fish and seafood, but also meat, side dishes, pickles, and grains.

3.Bunka Yokocho

If you take a short side street from the Sun Mall Ichibancho arcade, you'll find Bunka Yokocho, affectionately known as "Bun Yoko."

The original form of the street was Higashi Hyakuken Tengai, which was established in 1923, and there are still more than 50 restaurants lined up there today.

This area has a nostalgic and deep atmosphere.

Hotels in Sendai City recommended by Activity Japan

Hotel Monterey Sendai

Located in central Sendai, just a 3-minute walk from JR Sendai Station, Hotel Monterey Sendai offers free broadband internet, 3 restaurants and a spa with natural hot springs.

The stylish rooms at Hotel Monterey Sendai feature classic European décor with wooden floors, antique furniture, a flat-screen satellite TV and a minibar with drinks.

The smartphone in your room can be used free of charge both inside and outside the property.

ANA Holiday Inn Sendai

Just a 6-minute walk from JR Sendai Station, where the Shinkansen departs, ANA Holiday Inn Sendai offers basic and functional rooms.

Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a satellite TV, mini-fridge, work desk and wardrobe.The private bathroom includes a bathtub, hairdryer and free toiletries.

Hotel Metropolitan Sendai

Directly connected to JR Sendai Station, Hotel Metropolitan Sendai offers rooms with a flat-screen TV, 5 dining options, massage services and free WiFi throughout the property.

Sendai city tourist map

*Click on the image to open the PDF

*The content of this article is current as of the end of February 2025.