MIYAGI PREFECTURE

MIYAGI MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Matsushima is famous for featuring what is considered to be one of the Three Most Scenic Views of Japan. Matsushima is a coastal area which looks out onto Matsushima Bay which is filled with 260 islands covered with pine trees. Matsushima, located in Miyagi Prefecture Tohoku (northeast) region of Japan, is only 30 minutes by train from Sendai .

Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, and the largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region of Japan. The Sendai is well known by its nickname, the City of Trees.

MIYAGI CASTLES

Funaoka Castle, also known as Shibata Castle, was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located in Shibata in Miyagi Prefecture. Funaoka Castle was constructed in 1200 under the orders of Shibata Jiro. Today the ruins of Funaoka Castle can be found in Funaoka Castle Grounds, also known as Funaokajoshi Park, which is famous for its cherry blossom.

Sendai Castle, also known Aoba Castle, was a mountain top style Japanese Castle located in Sendai Miyagi Prefecture. Sendai Castle was built on the orders of Date Masamune on top of Mt Aoba which overlooks the city of Sendai. Sendai Castle played a key role in Boshin War, but was partially dismantled after Sendai surrendered to central government. Sendai Castle was damaged by World War II bombing.

Shiroishi Castle is a Japanese Castle located in Shiroishi Miyagi Prefecture. There was fort on the site of Shiroishi Castle, prior to construction of Shiroishi Castle in the 1590's. Shiroishi Castle was one of the few exceptions to the Tokugawa Shogunate's proclamation of one castle per domain. Shiroishi Castle was demolished in 1875 as part of the Meiji Restoration. In 1995 a modern reconstruction of Shiroishi Castle was completed.

MIYAGI SHRINES and TEMPLES

Entsuin Temple is famous for a painting of a Western-style rose that is said to be the oldest in Japan. Entsuin Temple is located in Matsushima and is designated as an Important National Cultural Asset.

Osaki Hachiman-gu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine located in Aoba-ku Sendai. Date Masamune ordered the construction of the main shrine building (shaden), which was completed in 1607 and in 1952 it was designated a National Treasure. The shaden at Osaki Hachiman-gu Shrine is the oldest remaining example in Japan. The design features the main sanctuary (honden) and the worship hall (haiden) connected via passage way and all under the one roof.

Zuiganji Temple, located in Matsushima, is considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in Tohoku area. Zuiganji Temple was completed in 828AD, by craftsmen from many countries.

MIYAGI MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

Sendai City Museum is the main museum in Sendai and is located less than 2km to the west of Sendai Station. Sendai City Museum displays the history of Sendai and in particular the artifacts relating to the Date family, which includes the famous suit of armor owned by Date Masamune which is a designated National Treasure.

MIYAGI LANDMARKS

Aoba Dori is one of the main streets in Sendai, which goes roughly east west through Sendai Station.

Godaido Hall is pretty building perched on a small island on the coast off Matsushima. Godaido Hall enshrines five Nyorai statues.

Kanrantei Pavilion is the tea house which provides great views of Matsushima Bay, great tradition Japanese tea and features beautiful paintings on the walls and folding screens which are designated as Important Cultural Properties.

MIYAGI GARDENS and PARKS

Funaoka Castle Grounds, located in Shibata in Miyagi Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. There are around 1,000 cherry blossom trees in the Funaoka Castle Grounds and along the bank of Shiroishi River. Funaoka Castle Grounds, also known as Funaokajoshi Park, contains the ruins of Funaoka Castle.

MIYAGI ISLANDS

Fukuura-jima Island is a small island, which has an area of 6 hectares. The island is connected to the main land at Matsushima by a red 252 meters bridge. The island is a lovely hiking spot where you can find a shell mound, a shrine and a tea house.
Access: 10 min walk from JR Matsushima Kaigan Station
Open hours: 8:00am – 5pm, 7 days a week
Admission: 200 yen

MIYAGI AIRPORTS

Sendai Airport (IATA: SDJ, ICAO: RJSS) is an international airport, but most traffic using the airport are domestic flights. Sendai Airport is located 13km to the south east of central Sendai in Natori Miyagi Prefecture. Sendai Airport is connected to Sendai Station via the Sendai Airport Line. Sendai Airport became world famous when the video of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami flowing across the airport was seen around the world. Sendai Airport became a major distribution point for the relief aid that was flown in on military aircraft.

MIYAGI TRAIN STATIONS

JR Matsushima Kaigan Station is the main JR station servicing Matsushima on the line connecting to Sendai.

Sendai Station is a major station and one of the busiest train stations outside the greater area of Tokyo. Sendai Station, located in the center of Sendai city in Miyagi Prefecture, it services both the Akita and Tohoku Shinkansen lines, plus the Senzan, Tohoku Main, Senseki, Joban, Sendai Airport and Nanboku (Sendai Subway) lines. On the western side of Sendai Station are many department stores which can be accessed via a raised walkway.

MIYAGI SHOPPING

LoFT Sendai is one in a chain of LoFT shopping centres (malls) found through Japan. LoFT Sendai is located in Sendai, opposite Sendai Station.

PARCO Sendai is one in the chain of PARCO department stores found through Japan. The first PARCO department store opened in Tokyo in 1953. PARCO Sendai is located in Sendai, next to Sendai Station.