Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, is a vibrant hub of history, culture, and natural beauty. Located in Miyagi Prefecture, it offers an ideal mix of city sights and serene landscapes, making it a perfect destination for travelers exploring Japan’s northeast. This guide covers 7 must-visit attractions in Sendai and Miyagi Prefecture for anyone planning a trip.
Travel tips to Sendai
Shinkansen: The Best Way to Travel from Tokyo
The best way to travel from Tokyo to Sendai is by taking the Tohoku Shinkansen, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours. Please note that many Tohoku Shinkansen trains do not have non-reserved seats, so it’s essential to reserve your seat in advance.
Sendai Station: The Largest Station in Tohoku
Sendai Station is the largest transportation hub in the Tohoku region. From here, you can take the Senzan Line to Yamagata or the Shinkansen to destinations such as Fukushima, Akita, and Aomori.
As the central station of Sendai City, Sendai Station is well-connected. The Shinkansen provides direct links to Tokyo, Aomori, Akita, Morioka, and other cities. Additionally, JR trains connect Sendai to Matsushima, Yamagata, and other nearby areas.
Subway and Buses
Beneath the station, there are two subway lines: the Nanboku Line (North-South Line) and the Tozai Line (East-West Line). While IC cards can be used for subway travel, visitors may not need to use it frequently. Most of the major attractions in the city are accessed by bus, and the bus stations are conveniently located on the ground level just outside the JR station.
Shopping Around Sendai Station
Near Sendai Station, you’ll find several department stores and shopping centers. Right across from the station is the Hapina Nakakecho Shopping Street (ハピナ名掛丁), a bustling arcade filled with shops and eateries, perfect for exploring after your train ride!
1. Matsushima Bay – One of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views
Just a 38-minute train ride from Sendai, you’ll arrive at Matsushima, a picturesque destination and one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views alongside Miyajima and Amanohashidate. Despite its name, Matsushima is not a single island but rather a coastal area comprising about 260 small islands, many of which are covered with pine trees, giving the area its name—”Matsushima” (literally “Pine Islands”).
Matsushima offers a unique charm in every season:
Summer showcases lush green scenery.
Winter brings snowy landscapes.
Autumn is adorned with vibrant autumn foliage.
Spring features cherry blossoms in full bloom.
This seasonal diversity makes Matsushima a year-round destination. Historically, it was also designated as a cultural and religious center by Date Masamune, the lord of the Sendai domain, who built significant religious sites here, including Zuiganji Temple and Entsuin Temple.
The best way to enjoy Matsushima’s islands is by taking a sightseeing cruise. The 50-minute boat ride offers stunning views of the many islands, each with its own unique shape and beauty.
For those who prefer a more active experience, take a walk across Fukuurabashi Bridge, which connects to Fukuurajima Island.
The island is especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season, making it a must-visit spot for nature lovers.
Matsushima is home to several historical landmarks, including Zuiganji Temple, Godaido Temple and Entsuin Temple
Matsushima Rikyu: A Modern Attraction
Opened in 2010, Matsushima Rikyu (Matsushima Detached Palace) is a contemporary addition to the area’s attractions. From December to February, Matsushima Rikyu hosts night illumination events, allowing visitors to enjoy the gardens and facilities in a magical atmosphere after sunset.
Activities to join
– Sendai Three Scenic Views: Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Experience
– One-day bus tour to Matsushima and Chusonji Temple, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots
2. Zao Fox Village: A Mountain of Wonders and the Famous Fox Village
Located in the Ou Mountain Range, Mount Zao spans across Yamagata Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture. While Yamagata is home to the renowned Zao Snow Monsters and ski resorts, Miyagi is famous for the Zao Fox Village, a unique attraction dedicated to foxes. Established in 1990, Zao Fox Village was created as a sanctuary to protect foxes from the threats of human activity. It also provides visitors with the opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures up close. The village is home to more than 100 foxes, primarily red foxes, which are native to Japan. Visitors can also see rare foxes with unique colorations, such as white foxes and black foxes.
Reaching Zao Fox Village can be a bit challenging as public transportation options are limited.
- From the Shinkansen Shiroishi-Zao Station, you can take a bus to the Fox Village. However, there are only two buses per day, and on some days, these services may be suspended.
- For a more convenient option, you can take a taxi from Shiroishi-Zao Station or join a Klook one-day tour that includes a visit to the Fox Village.
Foxes are wild animals, and they are known to bite. For your safety:
- Do not touch the foxes. Signs throughout the village clearly warn visitors: “Foxes will 100% bite”.
- You must agree to enter at your own risk, and staff will remind you of these precautions before entering.
In addition, there are several other rules to follow to ensure the safety of both visitors and the foxes. Make sure to review the visitor guidelines before planning your trip.
3. Zuihoden: A Must-Visit Historical Site in Sendai
Zuihoden is a historical site located in the heart of Sendai City. It serves as the mausoleum of Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai Domain and a prominent figure in Japanese history. Date Masamune made significant contributions to Sendai during the Sengoku period by establishing the Sendai Domain and spearheading the development of Sendai into the largest city in the Tohoku region. Many historical landmarks in Sendai, including Zuihoden and Aoba Castle (to be introduced later), are closely tied to his legacy.
Built in 1637, Zuihoden was destroyed during the Pacific War in 1945. It was later reconstructed in 1979 based on original blueprints and underwent further restoration in 2001.
Zuihoden is renowned for its ornate design, featuring a black base adorned with gold accents. Its architecture beautifully blends Buddhist and samurai cultural elements.
The site is particularly stunning during the autumn foliage season, making it a must-visit destination for travelers looking to experience its beauty at its peak!
Admire the colorful and intricate carvings of the mausoleum.
4. Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle): A Historical Landmark in Sendai
Sendai Castle, also known as Aoba Castle Ruins, was built in 1601 by Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai Domain. Located on Mount Aoba, the castle was strategically designed with natural defenses — surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the Hirose River on the other, making it difficult to attack.
In later years, parts of the castle were dismantled during the Meiji Restoration, and further destruction occurred during air raids in World War II. One unique feature of Sendai Castle is its lack of a central tower (Tenshukaku), as it was primarily constructed for defensive purposes.
Although it’s no longer possible to view the entire structure, the site is still worth visiting, because from the castle ruins, you can enjoy a stunning view of the city!
Next to Sendai Castle is the Sendai Gokoku Shrine.
5. Sendai Morning Market: A Food Lover’s Paradise in Sendai
The Sendai Morning Market (Sendai Asaichi) is a bustling early market located just a 5-minute walk from Sendai Station. Spanning about 100 meters, the market offers a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. Visitors can also enjoy local delicacies such as miso-pickled items and grilled oysters. Known as the “Kitchen of Sendai,” the market is a great spot to grab breakfast while exploring the city.
The market starts opening around 8 a.m., and it’s recommended to visit before 11 a.m. However, keep in mind that the market is closed on Sundays. During our visit on a Sunday, we found only one ramen shop open.
The Sendai Morning Market originated around 1950, following the end of World War II, when it became a central hub for locals to purchase food as the city was being rebuilt. Over time, it has transformed into a must-visit destination for tourists.
6. Sendai Daikannon: The Tallest Kannon Statue in Japan
Daikanmitsuji Temple (Daikanmitsuji), located in the suburbs of Sendai City, is home to the tallest Kannon statue in Japan, known as Tendō Byakue Daikannon (commonly referred to as Sendai Daikannon or Sendai Daikannon in Japanese). It is one of the tallest Kannon statues in the world, second only to the Guanyin of Nanshan in Hainan, China.
Standing at 92 meters tall (100 meters including its base), the statue was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sendai City’s founding and to pray for world peace. The interior of the statue is approximately 12 stories high, and visitors can take an elevator to the 12th floor, where they can enjoy views of the surrounding landscape through the windows. Inside, each of the 12 floors houses various Buddha statues, with a total of 108 statues representing the 108 earthly desires of humanity.
Sendai Daikannon functions as a museum, making it an excellent destination for those interested in Buddhism.
7. Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium: The Largest Aquarium in Tohoku
Japan is home to many aquariums, both large and small, and as aquarium enthusiasts, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium (Sendai Umino-Mori Suizokukan). Located between Sendai City and Matsushima, this aquarium is easily accessible. You can take the Senseki Line to Nakanosakae Station and then walk about 20 minutes to reach the aquarium.
The aquarium spans two floors and is the largest in the Tohoku region. It features nearly 100 tanks and houses over 50,000 marine creatures. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing the unique marine life of Tohoku’s coastal waters, as well as the sea life from the Matsushima Bay area.
The experience felt quite different from the aquariums we visited in Okinawa and Kagoshima!
And yes, you can also see penguins at the aquarium!
Recommended Accommodation in Sendai: Natural Hot Springs Hotel Near the Station
For this trip, we focused on enjoying hot springs, so even in the heart of Sendai City, we chose a hotel with natural hot springs. We stayed at Dormy Inn Sendai Station Natural Hot Springs (天然温泉萩の湯ドーミーイン仙台駅前), which is just a 5-minute walk from Sendai Station.
The hotel features a hot spring facility on the 9th floor, complete with both indoor and open-air baths. After soaking in the hot springs, guests can even enjoy complimentary ramen—a perfect way to end the day!
