Experience / Modelcourse


Excursions

The following are sample plans for excursions that visitors can experience only in Sendai.
Visitors can visit famous and historic sites including Akiu hot springs, Sakunami hot springs and Matsushima, and earthquake-related facilities.

History and culture /Experiencing Japanese culture at temples

15 minutes by car from Sendai Station

Rinnoji Temple

There is a Japanese garden known as one of the most famous gardens in Tohoku. This beautiful garden with its circular paths radiates a different natural beauty throughout the four seasons, offering profound peace of mind. Visitors can experience zazen (zen meditation) to attain enlightenment just by sitting, without being preoccupied with anything.

60 minutes by car from Sendai Station

Entsuin Temple

Experience making your one and only original prayer beads in the famous Matsushima garden, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots.
Guests can have a quiet moment enjoying seasonal views of the garden.

Akiu /Kokeshi doll painting experience and Akiu hot springs

30 minutes by car from central Sendai

Akiu Craft Park

Kokeshi dolls are said to have originated as souvenirs for children in hot spring resorts in the Tohoku region during the Edo Period. Here at Akiu Craft Park, you can make your own original kokeshi doll by choosing one of a variety of shapes and sizes of white wood.

30 minutes by car from central Sendai

Akiu hot springs

It has been called one of the three best hot springs in Japan, and its rich medicinal properties have been handed down since ancient times. The Date family used it as a bathing site.

Sakunami /Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery tour and Sakunami hot springs

35 minutes by car from central Sendai

Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery

You can learn about the whiskey brewing process and the history of Nikka Whiskey. After the distillery tour, you can enjoy whiskey-tasting.

40 minutes by car from central Sendai

Sakunami hot springs

It has long been known as Sendai’s okuzashiki (a place to entertain guests), and is also known as a hot spring that makes women radiate beauty, with mild spring quality on the skin and an abundant supply of hot water.

Visit places associated with Lord Date Masamune on the round-the-city
/sightseeing bus Loople Sendai

10 minutes by car from central SendaiPhoto provided by:Zuihoden Foundation

Zuihoden Mausoleum

The mausoleum of Date Masamune. Visitors can see the gorgeous architectural style that is characteristic of the Momoyama culture.

10 minutes by car from central Sendai

Site of Sendai Castle

This is the site of Sendai Castle built by Lord Date Masamune. Located on a hill, it commands a panoramic view of Sendai.

Coastal areas of Sendai City

25 minutes by car from central Sendai

Earthquake-devastated remains Sendai City Arahama Elementary School

When the Great East Japan Earthquake hit, 320 people, including students, teaching staff, and local residents evacuated to Arahama Elementary School, where the tsunami surged to the second floor. By looking at the intact appearance of the damaged school building, as well as photos and videos taken immediately after the disaster, visitors can realize the extent of the tsunami’s threat.

25 minutes by car from central Sendai

Kirin Brewery Sendai

Visitors can observe the beer brewing process. After the tour, visitors can taste freshly brewed beer (for a fee). The on-site restaurant also offers a wide variety of dishes using delicious local ingredients from Miyagi.


Attractions

Enjoy entertainment, culture, and performances unique to Sendai that add to the festivities of your get-togethers and other events.

Oshu Sendai Entertainer Group Date Busyoutai

Historical drama

Lord Date Masamune and his vassals have been revived in the modern age to deliver the charm of Sendai and Miyagi to the whole world. Under the slogan of “Together we go forward, Sendai, Miyagi, Tohoku,” they are off to the front!

Contact information

https://datebusyou.jp/

TEL 022-748-4830

Sendai Suzume Odori (sparrow dance)

Dance

This dance is said to have been performed at the time of completion of Sendai Castle in 1603, and is representative of Sendai's local performing arts. It is characterized by its lively musical accompaniment and dynamic dancing.

Contact information

E-mail info@suzume-odori.com

TEL 022-267-1040


Model Courses

Here are some model courses, from Akiu and Sakunami hot spring resorts and Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, to Zao.

Akiu/Sakunami Courses

Akiu Otaki Falls, Akiu Craft Park, Akiu Winer and Akiu hot springs

START/Sendai

1

Sendai (Greeting by mascot characters)

2

Akiu Otaki Falls (visit)

Akiu Otaki Falls (designated national scenic spot)

The 55-meter-drop and 6-meter-wide waterfall is a designated national scenic spot. The roaring sound of the waterfall as it breaks through the tuff is both magnificent and majestic. Along with the Nachi and Kegon Falls, it is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan.

3

Akiu Craft Park (kokeshi doll painting experience)

4

Akiu Winery (visit)

Akiu Winery

Located in the Akiu hot spring resort known as the okuzashiki (a place to entertain guests) of Sendai City, it offers a view of the vineyards that spread out before the eyes and the hot spring resort area. The facility also has a café. In addition to enjoying wine and light meals, visitors can freely tour the brewery by looking through glass windows.

5

Akiu hot springs (sparrow dance performance at a luncheon party)

GOAL/Sendai

Kitayama Rinnoji Temple, Homei Shiju-hachi waterfalls and Sakunami hot springs

START/Sendai

1

Sendai morning market (breakfast)

2

Kitayama Rinnoji Temple (Zen meditation experience and garden visit)

3

Homei Shiju-hachi waterfalls

Sendai Imagegallery ©City of Sendai

Homei Shiju-hachi waterfalls

It is said that the waterfalls are named after the sound of water echoing from the falls, which resembles the cry of the legendary bird “Houou” (phoenix). Looking upstream of the Hirosegawa River from the hill, you can see a series of stair-shaped waterfalls flowing with white foam. It is one of Sendai's undiscovered waterfalls located in a forest full of greenery.

4

Sakunami hot springs (Date Busyoutai performance at a luncheon party)

GOAL/Sendai

Jogi Nyorai Saiho-ji Temple, Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery and Sakunami hot springs

START/Sendai

1

Sakunami hot springs (take a bath)

2

Nikka Whiskey Miyagikyo Distillery

3

Jogi Nyorai Saiho-ji Templ

Jogi Nyorai Saiho-ji Temple

The Nyorai Buddha statue of Saiho-ji is said to offer blessings for match-making, having a baby, and easy childbirth. It has long been worshipped as a statue that fulfills a once-in-lifetime wish. On the temple’s premises are Sadayoshido, Shinbokudo and a five-story pagoda.

GOAL/Sendai

Matsushima Courses

Experience Matsushima, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, kimono dressing and prayer beads-making

START/Sendai

1

Matsushima hot springs (take a bath)

2

Hotel Matsushima Taikanso (lunch)

Hotel Matsushima Taikanso Main Dining Room “Shiosai”

From here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Matsushima Bay. Authentic French cuisine made with carefully selected ingredients, including fresh seafood and seasonal flavors from the Sanriku region.

3

Matsushima Rikyu (Kimono dressing experience)

Matsushima Rikyu

Opened in 2020 as a new landmark of Matsushima, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots. The Rikyu Garden, which was designed in the image of Matsushima Bay, is illuminated at night throughout the year. Visitors can try painting kokeshi dolls or renting and dressing in a kimono.

4

Entsuin Temple (prayer beads-making)

5

Godaido

6

Matsushima coast (chartered sightseeing boat cruise)

GOAL/Sendai

Matsushima, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, aquarium and shopping

START/Sendai

1

Michinoku Date Masamune History Museum (visit)

2

Matsushima coast (pleasure cruise)

Matsushima coast (pleasure cruise)

Go on a sightseeing cruise around Matsushima Bay known for its scenic beauty, with a unique island formation appearing on the water. You can get a close look at individual islands on a boat (available in a variety of sizes). Enjoy the spectacular view of the bay on a pleasure cruise.

3

Shiogama Port (lunch)

4

Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port (shopping)

Photo provided by: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Promotion

Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port (shopping)

The Tohoku region’s largest outlet mall, which houses about 120 outlets from Japanese and foreign brands as well as local souvenir shops offering Sendai’s specialty food and other items. Also, the site contains a Ferris wheel, adding an element of outdoor amusement to the spot.

5

Sendai Umi no Mori Aquarium (party exclusively for guests after closing of the facility)

GOAL/Sendai

Experience Matsushima, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, and strawberry picking

START/Sendai

1

JR Fruit Park Sendai Arahama (strawberry picking)

JR Fruit Park Sendai Arahama

A sightseeing farm where visitors can experience picking strawberries, pears, apples, and other fruits throughout the year. There is also a direct sales shop where you can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

2

Aquaignis Sendai (visit)

Aquaignis Sendai (visit)

Commercial complex created as a project to use the collective relocation area in eastern Sendai’s coastal district. The facility focuses on food and healing services, housing a hot spring bath center utilizing hot spring water from 1,000 meters below the ground as well as restaurants and markets offering items of choice.

3

Matsushima coast (sightseeing boat and lunch)

4

Matsushima Rikyu (visit)

5

Zuiganji Temple (reserved visit)

GOAL/Sendai

Zao Course

Juhyo (tree ice) viewing tour and Togatta hot springs, mid-December to mid-March

START/Sendai

1

Kamafusa dam (viewing from the bus)

2

Zao Echo Line

Photo provided by: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Promotion

Zao Echo Line

This mountain road crosses the Zao mountain range from east to west and connects Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. The road opens in late April and offers views of snow walls to mid-May, fresh greenery in the summer, and autumn leaves from late September.

3

Sumikawa Snow Park (lunch)

4

Miyagi Zao juhyo viewing tour

Photo provided by: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Promotion

Juhyo viewing tour

A tour to see juhyo, a rare natural artifact in the world, on the Wild Monster, a heated passenger snowmobile equipped with a cabin.

5

Togatta hot springs (take a bath)

Togatta hot springs

Located on a plateau at an altitude of 330 meters, Togatta hot springs has been known as a base for religious mountaineering and as a therapeutic hot-spring bath.
In the hot spring water gushing from the mountain, visitors can relax and heal their body while enjoying the views of all four seasons.

GOAL/Sendai

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