A Must-Read for First-Time Visitors! Miyagi Travel Guide

Day 1 starts from JR Sendai Station.
Take a city bus in front of the station and get off at the “Sendai Castle Ruins” bus stop, and you’ll arrive at your first spot right away.

Sendai Castle was built under the orders of the warlord Date Masamune, who was active from the Warring States period (1467–1615) through the Edo period (1603–1868).
Because many of its structures were dismantled, only the stone walls, the reconstructed side turret of the Otemon Gate, and the earthen wall on the north side of the Otemon Gate remain today.
The site has been developed as a park, and within it stands the equestrian statue of Date Masamune, a symbol of Sendai.
The surrounding area sits on high ground, offering a panoramic view over the cityscape of Sendai, the City of Trees.
Start by enjoying one of Sendai’s symbols and its city views.

Take the bus again and get off at the “Osaki Hachimangu-mae” bus stop, and you’ll arrive at Osaki Hachimangu right away.
This shrine was relocated to the northwest, the inui direction, by order of Date Masamune when Sendai Castle was built.
Since then, it has been revered as the guardian shrine of Sendai, especially as a protective deity for people born in the Year of the Dog and the Year of the Boar.
The highlight is the National Treasure shrine pavilion, said to be a masterpiece of Momoyama architecture.
Enjoy its artistic beauty as you pay your respects.

After your visit, take a bus from the nearest bus stop back to JR Sendai Station.
Transfer to a train, get off at JR Higashi-Shiogama Station, and walk Approx. 15 minutes to reach Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market.
Shiogama Port is one of Japan’s leading ports for fresh tuna landings, and it boasts the highest catch volume of bigeye tuna in Japan.
Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market is lined with fresh seafood landed at Shiogama Port.
For lunch, enjoy your own custom seafood bowl topped with as much of your favorite seafood as you like.

After enjoying your seafood bowl, walk back to JR Higashi-Shiogama Station and take the train to JR Matsushima-Kaigan Station.
From the station, it is Approx. a 6-minute walk to the Matsushima sightseeing boat pier.
The Matsushima sightseeing boat is a cruise that leisurely takes you around elegant Matsushima, famous as one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views and dotted with more than 260 islands of all sizes.
Take the “Niomaru Course,” a 50-minute cruise around Matsushima Bay full of highlights, and enjoy Matsushima’s spectacular scenery from the water.

After taking in the scenery of Matsushima, head to Zuiganji Temple, Approx. a 10-minute walk away.
This ancient temple is said to have been founded in the early 9th century as a Tendai sect temple, and the existing buildings were completed by Date Masamune.
Because they are valuable structures that preserve Momoyama art to this day, the main hall and kitchen building have been designated National Treasures.
Godaido Hall, located on the southern seaside of Zuiganji Temple, was also built by Date Masamune and is considered a symbol of Matsushima.
As you stroll around the grounds, take in the National Treasures and many other important cultural properties.

After visiting Zuiganji Temple, be sure to stop by nearby Entsuin Temple as well.
Entsuin Temple was built in 1647 as the family temple of Date Mitsumune, grandson of Date Masamune.
Inside the temple gate on the left is Enmusubi Kannon, a matchmaking spot said to bring good connections not only in romance, but also in school, work, and many other aspects of life.
Numerous kokeshi dolls left by worshippers with written wishes for good relationships surround the Kannon statue.
It is also one of Tohoku’s leading fall foliage spots, so from late October to mid-November, when the leaves are at their best, you can enjoy beautiful autumn scenery as well.

After enjoying Entsuin Temple, head to your accommodation for the first day, Matsushima Onsen Matsushima Ichinobo, located Approx. a 20-minute walk away.
If you are tired from walking, take a taxi.
Matsushima Onsen Matsushima Ichinobo is a hot spring resort overlooking Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, right in front of you.
It offers an all-inclusive stay, with free access to the restaurant, café, spa, and the on-site Kyohei Fujita Glass Museum, so you can relax without worrying about paying extra beyond your accommodation fee.
Soak away the fatigue of your trip with beautiful views from the hot spring and excellent buffet-style dining.

Day 2 starts from JR Matsushima-Kaigan Station.
The hotel offers free transportation to the station, so make good use of it.
From JR Matsushima-Kaigan Station, take the train to JR Ishinomaki Station.
From the station, walk Approx. 15 minutes to reach the Ishinomori Manga Museum.

The Ishinomori Manga Museum displays works and original drawings by Shotaro Ishinomori (1938–1998), creator of many masterpieces such as Cyborg 009 and Kamen Rider.
In addition to the general exhibition, you can explore the possibilities of manga from various angles through frequent special exhibitions featuring other manga artists and a multimedia workshop where you can create animation.

After enjoying the Ishinomori Manga Museum, head to Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba, Approx. a 5-minute walk away.
This two-story market in central Ishinomaki sells local specialties, so it’s a great place to shop for souvenirs.
There is also a spacious food court on the second floor called Genki Shokudo, where you can enjoy seafood dishes.
For lunch, try specialties unique to this area, such as a grilled Kinka saba set meal or ramen made with this premium local ingredient.

After lunch, walk back to JR Ishinomaki Station and transfer trains to JR Naruko-Onsen Station.
After arriving at the station, take a taxi to the Japan Kokeshi Museum.
At the museum, you can not only learn about the process and history of how kokeshi are made through exhibits, but also try painting one yourself.
Kokeshi are wooden doll toys and one of Japan’s representative traditional crafts.
They are said to have spread mainly in hot spring areas of the Tohoku region in the late Edo period (1603–1868), and Miyagi is considered their place of origin.
You can take your painted kokeshi home the same day, making it a memorable souvenir from your trip to Miyagi.

After enjoying the Japan Kokeshi Museum, walk for about 20 minutes to Naruko Gorge, where sheer cliffs reaching 328 feet deep continue for Approx. 1.6 miles.
Cross Ofukazawa Bridge over Naruko Gorge and fully take in the height of the gorge and the surrounding scenery.
It is a thrilling yet romantic viewpoint, and if the timing is right, you may be able to see a train crossing Naruko Gorge.

After enjoying the scenery of Naruko Gorge, head on foot to Naruko Onsenkyo.
Naruko Onsenkyo is a hot spring area made up of five areas: Naruko, Higashi-Naruko, Kawatabi, Nakayamadaira, and Onikobe.
It is known as one of Japan’s leading hot spring areas, with seven of the ten types of hot spring water found in Japan (according to the Ministry of the Environment’s “Anshin Anzen na Onsen Riyou no Iroha”).
Around Naruko-Onsen Station, there are also hot spring facilities where you can enjoy a day visit, so end your trip with a relaxing soak.