Tour C | Sample Itineraries | Miyagi: Sendai/Matsushima | Featured Destinations

Tour CTraveling around Sendai, Shiroishi and Fukushima

Map of Sendai, Shiroishi and Fukushima area

Trip Details

Day 1: The Shiroishi and Fukushima area

Tokyo Station

Tohoku Shinkansen – approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes

Tohoku Shinkansen

Series E5

Hayabusa: Tokyo – Shin-Aomori
Hayate: Tokyo – Morioka/Shin-Aomori
Yamabiko: Tokyo – Sendai

Series E2

Hayate: Tokyo – Morioka/Shin-Aomori
Yamabiko: Tokyo – Sendai/Morioka

Series E5

Series E2

About the Tohoku Shinkansen

Fukushima Station

Hanamiyama-go, a direct bus to Hanamiyama (operates only in April) – approximately 15 minutes

Hanamiyama

Hanamiyama-go, a direct bus to Hanamiyama (operates only in April) – approximately 15 minutes

Hanamiyama

A number of blossoming tree farms are located here, something less than 20 in number, and in spring, the cherry blossom, hana peach, forsythia and many other varieties of tree break out into full bloom.

[Viewing season]

Typically from the start to the end of April

Blossoming trees at Hanamiyama

Fukushima Station

Train – approximately 35 minutes (Tohoku Main Line)

Shiroishi Station

On foot or by bus

Go sightseeing by taxi!

From the JR station, take a taxi for a two- or three-hour sightseeing tour. Called EKIKARA KANTAKUN, it makes it easy to move around all the great sites.

EKIKARA KANTAKUN tours are available any time between 9:00 and 15:00. The cost is between 5,800 and 9,800 yen for one taxi (up to four people). Advance purchase of a taxi ticket is required from the station window or other location.

JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi)

Stations with EKIKARA KANTAKUN service
Shiroishi Station
For further details, contact the JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at your nearest station.

A typical taxi loading zone outside a station

Shiroishi Castle – residence of Katakura Kojuro

Right-hand man to Date Masamune, Katakura Kojuro left his name in history as one of the greatest samurais of all time. His castle, Shiroishi, is today known for the beauty of the cherry blossoms in the surrounding park. The keep has been reconstructed, providing a wonderful view.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 10 minutes on foot from Shiroishi Station to Shiroishi Castle.

Shiroishi Castle

Koseki samurai house

Along the row of samurai houses still remaining near Shiroishi Castle is the Koseki home, designated as a Cultural Property by Miyagi Prefecture and open to the general public.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 15 minutes on foot from Shiroishi Station to Koseki samurai house.

The Koseki samurai house

Katakura Mausoleum

Midway up Mount Atago is the Katakura Mausoleum, where successive generations of Katakura lords are buried, along with the wife of the seventh generation lord Murakane. Among the dense growth of old sugi (Japanese cedar) trees, 10 Amida Buddha statues and a tombstone stand quietly.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 10 minutes by bus from Shiroishi Station to the Katakura Mausoleum.

The Katakura Mausoleum

Yamabuki-tei – Shiroishi umen is healthy and good for the digestion

Invented in the Edo Period, umen is good for the digestion. Made without oil, quick to prepare and healthy, umen is a popular dish. Yamabuki-tei is located in a charming remodeled merchant's house from the late Meiji Period, and serves a wide range of umen dishes.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 15 minutes on foot from Shiroishi Station to Yamabuki-tei.

Umen noodles dipped before eating

Shiroishi Station

Train – approximately 50 minutes (Tohoku Main Line)

Gaze out the train window at a thousand cherry blossom trees

With the peaks of Mount Zao in the background, the majestic row of cherry blossom trees reflect in the Shiroishi River as though in a looking glass. It is said that you can see a thousand cherry blossom trees at a single glance. Stretching for seven kilometers, this is a truly spectacular view that everyone should experience once in their life.

[Viewing season]

Typically the middle of April

A thousand cherry blossom trees at a glance

Sendai Station

A route bus or other transportation

Lodging:
The Akiu Hot
Spring area

Day 2: The Sendai area

Lodging:
The Akiu Hot
Spring area

A route bus or other transportation

Sendai Station

On foot or by bus

Sendai City Information Office – second floor of JR Sendai Station (Information in foreign languages)

The office is regularly staffed with English speakers. Sightseeing brochures and other information are available in English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and Korean.

Hours of operation

8:30 to 19:00

Loople Sendai

The Loople Sendai is a loop bus, a convenient way to see all the sights in downtown Sendai. The Loople Sendai allows unlimited rides. Starting from Sendai Station, it takes approximately an hour to visit all of the sightseeing spots in central Sendai.

Hours of Operation

First departure: 9:00, last departure: 16:00

Fee

One-day pass: Adults – 600 yen
Single ride: Adults – 250 yen

Loople Sendai

Zuihoden, dedicated to Date Masamune

When Date Masamune, the daimyo of Sendai, came to the end of his life in 1636 at the age of 70, his dying wish was the construction of a mausoleum, which was completed the following year and named Zuihoden. Although designated as a National Treasure for its Momoyama-style architecture, it unfortunately burned down in 1945, a casualty of war. It was rebuilt after the war.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 15 minutes by bus from Sendai Station to Zuihoden.

Zuihoden

The Sendai City Museum – with many donations from the Date family on exhibit

In 1961, the Sendai City Museum was opened to store, exhibit and research the cultural assets donated by the Date family. With some one thousand items, the exhibition changes each season.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 20 minutes by bus from Sendai Station to the Sendai City Museum.

The Sendai City Museum

The ruins of Sendai Castle – the headquarters of a 620,000 koku fief

Sendai Castle was constructed in 1610 by Date Masamune, the first lord of the Sendai fief. Among the remains today are the stone wall, carved with its long history, and the restored towers at the main gate. A portion of the ruins are part of Aoba-yama Park, from where a panoramic view of the city and Pacific Ocean can be seen.

[Getting there]

It is approximately 20 minutes by bus from Sendai Station to the Sendai Castle ruins.

The Sendai Castle ruins

Osaki Hachiman-gu Shrine – a valuable Momoyama-style structure

Built by Date Masamune, Osaki Hachiman-gu Shrine is a precious structure in the Momoyama style. Constructed in the gongen-zukuri architectural style and filled with lavish decorations, the shrine is designated as a National Treasure.

[Getting there]