Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima
Besides the famous Akiu Onsen, if you are looking to enjoy a hot spring session in Sendai, Sakunami Onsen (作並温泉) is another great option to consider. Although the hot spring town has less exciting things to see and do, the weakly alkaline onsen is gentle on the skin and is nicknamed the Beauty-Making Onsen (美女づくりの湯)!
If you ever get a chance to head up to the observatory area at SS30‘s top floor on a clear day, you should see this white Kannon statue sticking out of a residential area. The Sendai Ddaikannon (仙台大観音) is the second tallest Buddha statue in Japan (the tallest is the Ushiku Buddha (牛久大仏) in Ibaraki …
Sendai Daikannon – Explore Japan’s Tallest Kannon Statue Read More »
When you visit Sendai, the capital of the kingdom built by the famous samurai, Date Masamune, you will notice that wherever you go, supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes are all selling a particular traditional dessert with a creamy light green topping. That mysterious light green colored topping can also be found in various types of drinks!
If you visit Sendai between late February to late March, head to Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū Shrine (榴岡天満宮) to adore the lovely plum blossoms. Just like all the Tenmangū in Japan, Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū enshrines Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真). Because plum blossom is Michizane’s favorite flower, plum trees are planted here and there in the shrine’s precinct.
Rinnō-ji was originally erected in 1441 by Date Mochimune (伊達持宗), the 11th head of the Date clan, to pray for his grandmother. Later on, together with the relocation of the Date clan, the temple was transformed a couple of times until the completion of the Sendai Castle in 1602, when Date Masamune moved it to …
Rinnō-ji – The Temple that Houses Sendai’s Best Garden Read More »
Sendai, the Tōhoku region‘s biggest city which receives more than 20 million tourists each year, is an amazing destination that encompasses both city and countryside characteristics, even in the city center. This is why the locals proudly advertise their hometown as Forest City (Morio no Miyako, 杜の都). The city with a good balance of urban …
The Ultimate Guide to Sendai – The City of Trees Read More »
If you are a Japanese history buff, the first attraction you will want to visit once you arrive at Sendai must be the Sendai Castle (仙台城). The castle situated atop Mt. Aoba or Aobayama in Japanese was built by Date Masamune (伊達政宗), one of the most famous feudal lords in the late 15th to early …
Sendai Castle – The Throne of Powerful Ruler, Date Masamune Read More »
Akiu Ōtaki Fall (秋保大滝), also known as the Akiu Great Fall, is the must-see spot in Akiu Onsen. The 55-meter tall waterfall is just spectacular no matter which season you visit. It was thus chosen to be one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and a designated National Place of Scenery Beauty.
If you want to visit a hot spring town in the Tōhoku region, Akiu Onsen in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, has to be one of your top choices. Not only is this one of the top three hot spring towns in northeastern Japan, but it was also loved by two past Japanese emperors. This was how …
Akiu Onsen – A Hot Spring Town Loved by Japanese Emperors Read More »
If you have a competition or something similar coming up, make sure you visit Akiu Shrine (秋保神社) in Sendai, Miyaji Prefecture, during your next Japan trip. The shrine erected in the early Heian period has been a famous shrine for those who want to pray for victory. In recent years, starting from the famous Japanese …
Akiu Jinja – The Ultimate Shrine to Pray for Victory Read More »