Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium | Review by 黃國棟

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Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium

The largest aquarium in Tohoku Region.

11 Oct 2026 See More

If you're visiting the outskirts of Sendai, I really recommend planning a trip to Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium! As one of the Tohoku region's most notable aquariums, it not only has all kinds of marine life, but also super cute penguin activities that make it a lot of fun to explore!

I highly recommend the penguin feeding and penguin parade! The penguins were definitely what impressed me the most! You can get very, very close—close enough to really enjoy their adorable appearance and every little move they make. The cuteness is off the charts! Also, it wasn't crowded when we went, so we didn't have to squeeze through crowds. We could leisurely enjoy the penguin activities and take our time taking photos, which made the whole visit comfortable and relaxing.

Dining inside the aquarium was also a big plus! We ate lunch right at the aquarium. The food was reasonably priced, and most importantly, it tasted pretty good. There was no need to go out of our way to find a restaurant, so it was really convenient!

I recommend allowing 4–5 hours! You can take your time exploring the different exhibit areas and seeing the marine life, while saving enough time for the highly anticipated penguin activities. It's just the right amount of time without feeling rushed.

Other Reviews by 黃國棟

Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu

Matsushima Rikyu is a tourist commercial hub that opened in March 2020 in Matsushima, home to one of Japan's three most scenic views. There’s plenty to explore inside, including a Japanese garden, rooftop garden, restaurant museum and more.
- Miyagi
- Commercial Buildings
11 Oct 2026 See More

When visiting Matsushima, besides taking in the magnificent scenery of one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, I also highly recommend stopping by Matsushima Rikyu. Combining beautiful scenery, food, and a variety of activities, this tourist complex is a place where you can easily spend an entire day exploring at a leisurely pace.

During this visit, I happened to catch the nighttime light show. The countless lights illuminating the grounds created a dreamy, romantic scene so beautiful that I couldn’t help but stop and admire it. Every angle was perfect for photos!

What surprised me most was how completely different the scenery looked during the day and at night. In the daytime, it was fresh and bright, allowing you to appreciate the grounds as they normally are. Once night fell and the lights came on, the entire atmosphere instantly became romantic and enchanting, as if I had stepped into another world.

At first, I thought the admission price was a little high for a tourist attraction, but considering the overall setting and the nighttime light show, I still felt it was worth it.
Matsushima Cruise

Over 260 large and small islands are in the heavenly Matsushima known as one of the Three Great Views of Japan. A large boat on a regular schedule goes around Matsushima Bay in the affordable “Niomaru Course (Middle schooler and older 1,500 yen, Elementary child 750 yen)”. It leisurely cruises a 17km route in 50 minutes around Niojima Island, Kagetajima with an imposing rocky cliff, Funairijima where ancient ruins were found, Katsurashima and Nonoshima which are inhabited.
- Miyagi
- Ships
11 Oct 2026 See More

When visiting Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, you absolutely shouldn’t miss taking a sightseeing cruise around Matsushima Bay! Matsushima is known as one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, with more than 260 islands of various sizes scattered throughout the bay. Covered in lush trees and striking rock formations, the islands’ unique charm can truly be appreciated up close from the water aboard a sightseeing boat.

This time, I took the very popular Niomaru Course. The entire cruise takes about 50 minutes, passing one unusually shaped island after another. As the boat moves along, the scenery keeps changing, with a different kind of beauty from every angle.

The deep blue water, the islands in all kinds of shapes, and the clear, sunny weather that day made the entire cruise incredibly refreshing! There’s no need to rush. Simply sitting on the boat and quietly admiring the scenery shaped by nature over the years is an enjoyable experience in itself.

Matsushima Cruise | Niomaru Course: The cruise takes about 50 minutes. When visiting Matsushima, besides strolling along the coast and enjoying the island scenery, I also recommend exploring Matsushima Bay by boat to experience a completely different view from what you see on land. This cruise is definitely a worthwhile stop to include in your Matsushima trip!
Matsushima

One of Three Great Views of Japan along with Kyoto’s Amanohashidate and Hiroshima’s Miyajima. The grand horizon of the Pacific Ocean and large and small 260 verdant islands have been attracting many visitors since the Heian Period.
- Miyagi
- Nature Spots
11 Oct 2026 See More

Visiting Matsushima, one of the Three Great Views of Japan, I finally got to see this breathtaking seascape with my own eyes! We took a sightseeing cruise and enjoyed views of islands large and small, each with a different shape, scattered across the sea. Nearly every island was covered in lush greenery, creating a beautiful natural scene against the deep blue water. As the boat slowly moved along, the islands constantly changed depending on the angle, offering a different view at every turn. I never got tired of looking at them!

Matsushima is definitely worth exploring by boat. Not only can you see many islands at once, but you can also experience the grandeur and charm of this unique landscape from the water. It's no wonder it's considered one of the Three Great Views of Japan. You can only truly appreciate its beauty after visiting in person!