Area Characteristics
Miyagi Prefecture is located in the center of the Tohoku region. It includes the largest city in the region, Sendai, also known as the City of Trees, Matsushima which is one of the Three Views of Japan, the fine natural port which is a part of Kessenuma, and Ishimaki which is famous as a city for manga comics. There are also the mountains where you can enjoy winter sports such as Mt. Zao and Mt. Kurikoma.
Major Sites
Matsushima, which earned 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, is popular for the 4 superb viewing spots known collectively as the Shidaikan and the excursion boats. Along with Jouzen-ji Avenue which is the symbol of Sendai, there are many other natural spots such as the Hitome Senbon cherry trees which have been selected as one of the 100 famous sites for cherry blossoms in the country, Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, Okama Crater Lake, Naruko Gorge and the frost-covered trees of Zao. The Sendai Tanabata Festival, held annually in August as one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku, is one of the festivals symbolizing Miyagi Prefecture with over 2 million visitors.
Food
Two of the dishes representing Miyagi cuisine are gyu-tan (beef tongue) and sasakamaboko (bamboo-grass fish cake). The proximity of the offshore fishing grounds, which is known as one of the Top 3 in the world, has meant a wealth of fresh seafood, and the regional dish of harako-meshi with salmon and salmon roe on rice is also sold as a bento box lunch. As well, the aburafudon and shiroishiumen noodles are also delicious. Finally, the recently popular happo seishu (sparkling clear sake) is so easy to drink that it can even be recommended for those who don’t particularly like Japanese alcoholic beverages.
Transportation
Sendai can be reached from Tokyo Station via the Tohoku Shinkansen (Bullet Train) within an hour and 36 minutes at the fastest. Traveling within Sendai and to Matsushima can be navigated easily enough by transportation such as train and tourist bus. For other areas, rental cars are handy.
Accommodations
The area around Sendai Station has good access. There are also plenty of accommodations at places like Matsushima, the snow resort of Zao, and Naruko with its onsen.