Panoramica
Sendai is only around 90 minutes from Tokyo on the fastest Tohoku Shinkansen, yet sees far fewer foreign tourists than central Japan. The city was rebuilt after wartime bombing with wide, tree-lined avenues, and its downtown shopping arcades and food scene are lively.
The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami hit the Miyagi coast hard. Today memorial sites and museums along the coast tell that story, and visiting the region supports its recovery.
Cosa Vedere e Fare
- Zuihoden: The richly decorated mausoleum of Date Masamune, rebuilt after the war in its original Momoyama style, in a cedar forest.
- Sendai Castle Ruins (Aobayama Park): Stone walls, a reconstructed turret and the Date Masamune statue; reached by the Loople sightseeing bus.
- Osaki Hachimangu: A National Treasure shrine with lacquered black and gold buildings.
- Sendai Mediatheque: Toyo Ito's landmark glass building, a public library and arts centre.
- 3.11 memorial sites: The former Arahama Elementary School, preserved as a disaster memorial, explains the tsunami's impact on Sendai's coast.
Cucina Locale e Specialità
- Gyutan: Thick-cut grilled beef tongue served with barley rice, oxtail soup and pickles — Sendai's signature meal. A Gyutan Street sits inside Sendai Station.
- Zunda: Sweet paste of crushed edamame, served on mochi or blended into milkshakes.
- Sasa-kamaboko: Leaf-shaped fish cakes, often grilled fresh at shops.
- Seafood: Oysters from Matsushima and fresh fish from the Sanriku coast.
Come Arrivare e Muoversi
The Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa) connects Tokyo to Sendai in about 1.5 hours — covered by the JR Pass and the JR East Tohoku Area Pass. Sendai Airport has domestic and some international flights and is linked to the city by the Sendai Airport Access Line (about 20–30 minutes).
Two subway lines and the Loople Sendai retro-style sightseeing loop bus (day passes available) cover the main sights. Downtown is walkable from the station.
Dove Dormire
- Economico: Plenty of business hotels around Sendai Station at prices below Tokyo.
- Fascia media: Chain hotels near the station or Ichibancho.
- Lusso e Ryokan: Upscale city hotels near the station, or onsen ryokan in Akiu.