Sendai
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Sendai is the capital of Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Northern Japan. It’s the largest city in the Tohoku region and is known for—amongst other things—gyutan (beef tongue), Jozenji-dori (tree street), and its Tanabata Festival (Star Festival). Sendai is a very lush city, with sprawling hillsides and streets lined with tons of natural greenery, thus living up to its nickname the “City of Trees.”
Places of Interest
Jozenji-dori: Running east to west through the middle of Sendai, Jozenji-dori is lined with beautiful, zelkova trees. There are plenty of shops and places to eat along the street, as well as multiple arcades to explore. This area is truly beautiful and very refreshing considering it is centered in a huge city—definitely something special to see while in Sendai.
Zuihōden: This is the mausoleum of Date Masamune. Masamune was one of the most powerful feudal lords of the Edo Period. Zuihōden was designed in the Momoyama Period’s style, featuring intricate woodwork and vivid colors. More pictures and information on Zuihōden can be found here.
Aoba Castle: Aobajō was built on Mount Aoba in 1600 by Date Masamune. It was perceived as an ideal location, as it sat 100 meters above the surrounding town. However, years of warfare ultimately destroyed the castle. There is no longer an actual castle at this site, but some “ruins,” a statue of Masamune, museum (admission fee required), and shrine at the top of Mount Aoba. Additionally, there is an impressive view of Sendai.
Zao Fox Village: Nestled atop Mount Zao in Shiroishi-shi in the Miyagi Zao Mountains. This “village” is probably one of the best places to see foxes in Japan, as they roam freely in a large, grassy area. Click here to see more photos and read about some pros and cons of the Fox Village.
Travel tip #1: Sendai’s Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) is one of the largest in Japan and is celebrated annually August 6th-8th. The tanabata holiday is typically held on July 7th, but differs depending on country.
Food
Gyutan: Sendai is the original home of gyutan (牛タン), a dish consisting of thinly sliced beef tongue typically cooked over a charcoal grill. It is really tasty and you should try it when in Sendai! There are tons of gyutan restaurants sprinkled throughout the city center, so you’ll have many opportunities to sample gyutan if you desire to do so. I ate at Rikyu, which is off of Aoba-dori.
Zunda mochi: Other than gyutan, Miyagi is also known for zunda mochi. This is a special type of mochi that is coated with sweetened mashed edamame (soybeans). The mashed mixture is made by boiling edamame, peeling and mashing them, mixing with sugar, and then coating the mochi.
Zunda-gyutan gyoza: Two of Miyagi Prefecture’s regional dishes combined into one. The zunda is used to make the outer gyoza wrapping while the dumpling itself is stuffed with a mixture of ground gyutan, pork, and spices.
Zunda Saryo: Zunda Saryo is a popular chain specializing in all things zunda. This is a great shop to purchase zunda omiyage or food souvenirs at, as its well known. Their zunda shake is especially tasty.
Anpanman Bakery: Anpanman is a popular children’s animation in Japan. He’s beloved by many, and he has his own bakery located outside of the Sendai Children’s Museum and Mall. This place did not disappoint! Each character had its own sweet bread that was uniquely flavored and masterfully created.
Travel tip #2: Miyagi Prefecture’s regional specialities are: gyutan yaki, zundamochi, and kaki ryori (oyster dishes). Gyutan and zundamochi are easy to find, and oysters can be eaten on the ferry cruise offered near Matsushima Island, amongst other places.
Accommodation
To make your stay more affordable, try booking a hotel outside of Sendai’s city center. Having a car definitely makes this more feasible so you can easily access the city from your hotel. I stayed with friends at the Route Inn, which provided complimentary buffet-style breakfast. The rooms were very clean and the lobby smelled like jasmine tea!
When I travel solo, I usually opt for a hostel close to a train station in the city center to make everything easier. There are many options in downtown Sendai, just check booking.com.