2024 Miyagi Prefecture Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

Discover the Captivating Allure of Miyagi

Miyagi, located in the heart of Japan's Tohoku region, is a prefecture that beautifully blends natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern attractions. From its stunning coastal landscapes to its historic sites and vibrant city life, Miyagi offers a diverse array of experiences for every traveler. The prefecture's capital, Sendai, known as the "City of Trees," is a bustling metropolis with a rich history. Visitors can explore the Sendai Castle ruins, offering panoramic views of the city and a glimpse into its samurai past. The Zuihoden Mausoleum, the resting place of the famous samurai lord Date Masamune, showcases exquisite Momoyama architecture amidst a tranquil forest setting. Miyagi's coastline, part of the Sanriku Coast, is renowned for its rugged beauty and scenic spots like Matsushima Bay, considered one of Japan's three most scenic views. The bay is dotted with over 260 pine-covered islands, creating a breathtaking landscape that can be enjoyed from observation points, boat tours, or by visiting the historic temples and gardens in the area. Nature lovers will also appreciate the mountainous areas of Miyagi, particularly the Zao Mountain Range. The stunning Okama Crater Lake, with its vibrant blue and green hues, is a must-see, and the Zao Onsen hot springs provide a relaxing retreat with views of the surrounding peaks. Miyagi's cultural heritage is celebrated in its numerous festivals and events. The Sendai Tanabata Festival, one of Japan's largest and most famous festivals, features elaborate paper decorations and lively parades in early August. The prefecture is also known for its traditional crafts, including Sendai tansu (lacquered chests) and kokeshi dolls. Culinary delights in Miyagi include fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean, such as oysters and sashimi, as well as local specialties like gyutan (grilled beef tongue) and zunda mochi (sweet edamame paste over rice cakes). Sake enthusiasts will find a variety of excellent local brews to enjoy. Whether you're exploring historic sites, savoring local cuisine, or marveling at natural wonders, Miyagi promises a memorable journey filled with rich experiences and beautiful scenery. #japantrip #travelanywhere

Discover the Heart of Tohoku’s Scenic Beauty and Culture

#traveldiaries #japan #japantrip #sendai #miyagi Miyagi Prefecture offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and vibrant culture, making it an exciting destination in Japan's Tohoku region. Its capital, Sendai, known as the "City of Trees," balances modern city life with a deep sense of history, thanks to landmarks like the Zuihoden Mausoleum and Sendai Castle, linked to the famed samurai Date Masamune. What makes Miyagi truly special for me is its striking natural scenery. Matsushima Bay, with its picturesque islands and tranquil waters, is one of Japan’s Three Great Views, offering a peaceful escape from the bustle of urban life. The prefecture is also rich in hot springs, rugged coastlines, and mountains, giving outdoor enthusiasts plenty to explore. Miyagi’s resilience following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami has also deepened my appreciation for the spirit of its people, who have rebuilt with strength and optimism. Visiting Miyagi is both a visually rewarding experience and a chance to engage with Japan's history and enduring culture.

The Enchanting Wisteria of Kanahebisui Shrine in Japan

The Kanahebisui Shrine is resplendent with blooming wisteria. Wisteria is a plant native to Japan, and its mysterious and elegant purple hue is captivating. The wisteria tree at the Kanahebisui Shrine in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, is an impressive 300 years old, and its blooming season draws numerous visitors each year. A single tree can produce nine branches of wisteria, earning it the reputation of having 'Nine Dragons Wisteria.' It's a scene reminiscent of the anime 'Demon Slayer' and the movie 'Avatar.' During the peak blooming period, the shrine holds the Kanahebisui Shrine Flower Festival. In addition to wisteria, the shrine's peony garden is also a sight to behold, with a total of 100 varieties and 1,000 peony plants in full bloom, creating a stunning and moving scene. The main deity of the Kanahebisui Shrine is the white snake, which blesses people with business prosperity and financial fortune. Devotees touch their wallets to the snake-patterned stones, praying for a wealth of money to flow their way. Moreover, the shrine's café sells white snake-shaped sweets that are both cute and delicious. It is highly recommended to enjoy the flowers while taking a stroll in the Japanese garden within the shrine, spending a delightful afternoon.

Cherry Blossoms at Matsune Temple in Miyagi Prefecture.

The cherry blossoms at Matsune Temple in Miyagi Prefecture usually bloom in mid-April. The temple's most distinguishing feature in spring is the opportunity to enjoy both the Japanese temple architecture and the cherry blossoms blooming around it. Notably, Matsune Temple also offers seating, allowing visitors to comfortably appreciate the beauty of spring in Sendai. In addition, the temple is not far from Tsutsujigaoka Park, making it possible to visit two popular cherry blossom spots in Sendai in one day. Address: 〒984-0051 Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Wakabayashi Ward, Shinmachi 4 Chome-6-28

Funaya Castle Ruins Park, a Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot.

Now is the best time to view cherry blossoms at Funaya Castle Ruins Park in the Tohoku region. There are many ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms, such as walking or taking a boat ride. However, there is a very special way to enjoy the flowers at Funaya Castle Ruins Park. Here, you can take a climbing cable car from the parking lot directly to the park's mountaintop, about 305 meters high. Along the way, you will pass through clusters of blooming cherry trees, as if you are traveling through a cherry blossom tunnel. Upon reaching the mountaintop, you will see a unique and stunning view that can only be found here. At a glance, not only can you see the 24-meter-tall Funaya Peace Kannon statue standing in the city center, but you can also take in the streets of Shibata Town, the Senbonzakura (thousands of cherry trees), the Shiroishi River, the Zao mountain range, and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the park is lit up at night, allowing visitors to appreciate the beautiful night cherry blossoms. Funaya Castle Ruins Park is a place where you can enjoy different romantic atmospheres during the day and night. Address: 95-1 Funayakanayama, Shibata Town, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture Access: Get off at JR Funaya Station, about a 15-minute walk

Funaoaka Castle Ruins Park

Funaoaka Castle Ruins Park is the only spot in Miyagi Prefecture selected as one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots. The park occupies half a mountain and covers a vast area. At the summit, a 24-meter-tall Statue of Peaceful Kannon is erected, serving as a landmark of Tateyama. During the cherry blossom season, the park hosts the Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually, a testament to its exceptional charm. Over a thousand Yoshino cherry trees are planted throughout the mountain, and when in full bloom, the hilltop is dotted with red and white, creating an elegant and pleasant cherry blossom landscape as beautiful as a postcard. Visitors can choose to hike or take the old-fashioned inclined mine cart up the mountain. As the railway to the summit is flanked by dense cherry blossom trees, riding the small cable car feels like traveling through a cherry blossom tunnel, a famous cherry blossom scene at Funaoaka Castle Ruins Park. Despite the large number of people waiting, the journey of approximately 300 meters is fleeting, but it is still recommended to experience the dreamy feeling of being surrounded by cherry blossoms. As it involves climbing a mountain, the greatest highlight of Funaoaka Castle Ruins Park, besides the cherry blossoms all over the mountain, is undoubtedly the panoramic view from the summit. The top offers a spacious view with a plaza for cherry blossom viewers to stop and enjoy the scenery. Looking north, one can see the cityscape of Shibata Town and the charming view of Senbonzakura along the Shiroishi River embankment. To the east, one can gaze at the Pacific Ocean, and to the west, the snowy mountain scenery of the Zao mountain range. The commanding view satisfies all cherry blossom viewers. Moreover, the Statue of Peaceful Kannon at the summit is said to have been donated by the medical scientist Noguchi Hideyo, a native of Funaoaka, in memory of his late wife and to protect the people of Shibata Town. The peaceful Kannon statue, set against the backdrop of numerous cherry blossoms, appears even more majestic and is another famous cherry blossom spot for photo opportunities at Funaoaka Castle Ruins Park. Funaoaka Castle Ruins Park Address: 95-1 Tateyama, Funaoaka, Shibata Town, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture

Shiroishigawa Embankment Senbonzakura

The cherry blossom scenery of the Shiroishigawa Embankment is aptly named Senbonzakura, meaning that you can see a thousand cherry trees at a glance. The impact of such a sight is immense. Along the banks of the Shiroishigawa River, which flows through Ogawara Town, about 1,200 cherry trees have been planted, including the Somei Yoshino cherry trees that are over 80 years old, Yaezakura, and Yamazakura trees. The cherry blossoms stretch nearly 8 kilometers from Ogawara Town to Shibata Town, lined up along the riverbank. The azure Shiroishigawa River, the pale pink cherry trees, and the snowy Zao Mountain Range in the background create a three-tiered tapestry of colors that is a unique and unparalleled spectacle throughout Japan. It's no wonder that it has been selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan and is recognized by the locals of Miyagi Prefecture as the champion of spring cherry blossoms. The best viewing period is from early to mid-April. During the blooming season, the Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival is held. In addition to participating in the festive atmosphere, you can continue the excitement to the evening and enjoy the dreamy night cherry blossoms. There are two ways to enjoy the Shiroishigawa Embankment Senbonzakura: one is to take a flower-viewing houseboat from the Shiroishigawa River, drifting on the water for a more expansive view of the embankment scenery, feeling the thrill of being surrounded by cherry blossoms, or to take a rickshaw ride along the cherry blossom avenue. Shiroishigawa Embankment Senbonzakura (白石川堤一目千本桜) Address: From Kanase in Ogawara Town to Funoka Embankment in Shibata Town, Miyagi Prefecture

Tashirojima Cat Paradise.

Tashirojima is located in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, and is a small island among the Matsushima Islands off the Sanriku Coast. It covers an area of only 3 square kilometers. In the past, the islanders lived on sericulture and silk production. To drive away the natural enemy of silkworms - the mice, it was customary for almost every household to keep cats. To this day, even though sericulture is no longer practiced, the long-standing relationship with cats, akin to family members, has resulted in the island having over a hundred 'cat citizens', even though there are only about 60 elderly residents. Naturally, the island has become a paradise for cat lovers, attracting feline enthusiasts. Besides its appeal to cat lovers, Tashirojima is also known for its natural scenery, making it quite suitable for hiking, camping, and cycling around the island. As the fame of 'Cat Island' has grown, facilities such as a station, coffee shops, restaurants, and other small stores have opened, selling cat-shaped food, local products, souvenirs, and there are also guesthouses and well-equipped campsites. Whether you enjoy stroking cats while taking a walk or staying overnight to experience the atmosphere of a Japanese remote island, you can find different kinds of fun here. Tashirojima Address: Tashirohama, Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture

Cute foxes to cuddle!!!

Location: Zao Fox Village, Miyagi prefecture I visited Zao fox village in summer, it's pretty hot so the fox shred a lot of fur lol I recommend to go in Fall/Winter, the foxes will be more fluffy. It's basically a park where foxes roam free everywhere, you CAN NOT touch the foxes though. However, there is a cuddle session, in which the staffs will hand you safety coat and one fox for each person to hug and take pictures. The entrance ticket was 1000 yen and cuddle session was also 1000 yen? I didn't remember exactly. Recommend transportation: Bus #Japan #summertrip #animal

: Art exhibition that is open regularly: Reborn Art Festival 2019 : Japan* Miyagi* Ishinomaki : Kazuo Yayoi and other artists reported such art exhibitions are much more Either change artist or change XXX~

Its not easy to go to Tibet once, especially when you are still on duty and cant take time off. From late night in Tokyo, you will arrive at the Zao in the morning, and you will wake up to another world outside the window. It is not easy to go to the Tibetan king. It is not easy to see the hoarfrost. Because of the terrain, the chances of seeing the blue sky and white clouds in Zaowang Town are very small. The unique weather and geographical environment creates spectacular hoarfrost. hoarfrost means that the trees are covered in snow and ice, forming a spectacular "snow monster" view. Many of them look very funny like little monsters. If you don't ski, there is also a cable car that is designed for tourists to enjoy the hoarfrost. If you are a skier, you can take the cable car to the top of the mountain and slide down to see the scenery. It is a pity that our luck is still slightly poor on the day. The night after the blizzard is still cloudy on the second day. The sun is only exposed for a while. I hope that I will have the opportunity to see the blue sky and white clouds of the Zao.

Qinggen Hot Spring is a famous hot spring town in Miyagi Prefecture. It is also one of the member hot spring hotels of the Japan Secret Soup Guardian Association. The white hot lanterns of the Japanese Secret Soup Guardian Association are everywhere in the hot spring hotel. It is very historical. sense. The "Unforgettable" of more than 400 years of history can be a famous secret soup in Miyagi Prefecture. It was once the place where Idas lord Ida Masaru used Tangzhi, because Idas patriarchal ancestral hall The experience is unforgettable and named "I don't forget the pavilion", and now it also treasures the historical artifacts of the Ida family. Not forgetting that the cabinet is famous for its "zng soup". Zang (zng) is a characteristic building in Japan. As the name suggests, Tibetan soup is a hot spring in the possession. Guests who live in this house can enjoy the Japanese tangible cultural treasures for free for 30 minutes. Tibetan soup is quite big, suitable for a person or a couple, so it is a real private soup! I don't forget that the biggest of the three most famous secret soups is Da Tang. It was like this 400 years ago. The beam did not use a nail and it was still stable for hundreds of years. Zheng Zong soup is the hot spring of Idas political sects more than 400 years ago. It has never been rebuilt. It is what it is now seen more than 400 years ago. "Haizhifu soup" is also named after a famous nobleman who has been soaked here. These three are really hot springs more than 400 years ago. Like the "one of the soup masters", the old building "not forgetting the pavilion" is also worth a good look.

Because of the volcanic activity, there are many hot springs in the mountains of the Tibetan King. The oldest one is the Xianshang Hot Spring, which was first discovered in 1428 and has been in existence for hundreds of years. It is said that it was famous for the bathing of the first ancestor of the Sendai ancestral yida dynasty and its first film, Cang Jinggang. . Although the first hot spring township is very small, there are only three or four hot spring hotels, but these hot spring hotels are very powerful. The Tang Master I stayed in was the old shop hot spring hotel that opened the door from the time when the hot spring soup was opened. The right side is the old building of Tangzhu One hot spring hotel for more than 600 years, which has been included in the Japanese tangible cultural property. . The charm of the "Tang Master" hot spring hotel is that any item you see may be hundreds of years old or worthy of art. The 600-year-old building itself is a place full of stories, and it is worthwhile for every visitor to explore its history. The ancient aisle seems to take us through the time hundreds of years ago. The hotels sleek rooms are quaint and elegant, with soft wood tones to create a sense of warmth and a touch of style. The most famous of the "one of the soup masters" is Tang Zhiquan, which is famous for its therapeutic effect. In addition to the "medicine soup", it is famous for its open-air hot springs in the forest view. You can enjoy the view of the surrounding forest while enjoying the hot springs.