Unusual & Offbeat Destinations in Sendai, Japan

All Topics about Sendai All Cities in Japan

1. Sendai Medei Hall

A unique blend of art and history, the Sendai Medei Hall houses a variety of exhibitions including contemporary art and traditional crafts.

Art Exhibits: Displays a range of modern and traditional Japanese art.
Traditional Crafts: Showcases local traditional craftsmanship like pottery, kokeshi dolls, and textiles.
Historical Building: Located in a historical red-brick building from the early Meiji era.

An annual event featuring large-scale illuminations and light art installations that transform the city into a dreamy wonderland.

Light Art Installations: Includes creative displays by artists from Japan and around the world.
Cultural Performances: Features traditional Japanese dances, music, and performances.
Winter Wonderland: A magical experience that turns the city into a winter wonderland.

A stunning mausoleum filled with intricate gold leaf and lacquerwork, dedicated to the founder of the Date clan.

Gold Leaf and Lacquerwork: Features elaborate decorations made from genuine gold leaf.
History of the Date Clan: A testament to the powerful history of the Date clan, who ruled Sendai for over 300 years.
Garden and Pagoda: Surrounded by a beautiful garden with a five-story pagoda.

An ancient shrine that was rebuilt in the Edo period and houses a unique wooden statue of Hachiman-gu, the god of war.

Wooden Statue: Features a distinctive wooden statue of Hachiman-gu that stands over 10 meters tall.
Historical Significance: One of the oldest shrines in Sendai, with a history dating back to the Kamakura period.
Natural Surroundings: Surrounded by lush green forests and serene rivers.

A peaceful zen temple that offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional Zen culture and meditation.

Zen Meditation: Offers guided Zen meditation sessions for visitors.
Traditional Architecture: Features a beautiful and traditional Japanese architecture.
Garden of Contemplation: Has a peaceful garden where visitors can contemplate and find tranquility.

A charming street lined with traditional Sendai-style houses, known for its kokeshi dolls and local delicacies.

Local Delicacies: Taste regional specialties such as gyutan (grilled beef tongue) and zunda-mochi.
Kokeshi Dolls: Browse a variety of traditional kokeshi dolls, a local craft unique to Sendai.
Traditional Houses: Explore the charming and well-preserved traditional houses along the street.

A stunning bay with over 260 picturesque islands dotted with pine trees, recognized as one of Japan's Three Great Views.

Picturesque Islands: Enjoy breathtaking views of the thousands of tiny islands.
Traditional Boat Tour: Take a traditional boat tour to explore the bay's scenic beauty.
Night Illumination: Experience the enchanting night illumination of the bay, especially during the winter months.

An ancient hot spring village nestled in a beautiful valley, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Hot Spring Baths: Enjoy the natural hot spring waters that are said to have healing properties.
Traditional Ryokans: Stay in traditional Japanese ryokans and experience authentic Japanese hospitality.
Scenic Surroundings: Surrounded by beautiful forests, rivers, and waterfalls.

An ancient tomb believed to be the final resting place of the powerful Date clan, surrounded by a beautiful park.

Ancient Tomb: A large and impressive keyhole-shaped tomb dating back to the late Kofun period.
Historical Significance: Holds great historical importance as the burial site of a powerful warlord.
Beautiful Park: Surrounded by a beautiful park with walking trails and picnic areas.

A large urban park located at the foot of Mt. Aoba, offering panoramic views of the city and Sendai Castle.

City Views: Provides stunning panoramic views of Sendai City.
Nature and Culture: Combines natural beauty with cultural landmarks like Sendai Castle.
Local Festivals: Hosts several local festivals throughout the year, such as the Aoba Festival.

A historic watchtower with panoramic views of the city, located in the heart of Sendai.

Panoramic Views: Offers breathtaking views of Sendai City and its surroundings.
Historical Significance: Dates back to the Edo period and served as a watchtower for the city.
Nighttime Illumination: Features an impressive nighttime illumination during the winter months.

An ancient city that served as the political and cultural center of the Northern Heian period, with several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Includes temples and monasteries such as Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji.
Historical Significance: Holds great historical importance as a center of Buddhism in Japan.
Serene Surroundings: Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Oyama-dera Temple and its scenic mountain views.

A massive statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, located on a hill overlooking Sendai City.

Massive Statue: One of the tallest statues of Kannon in Japan, standing at over 30 meters tall.
Historical Significance: Built in the early Showa period to symbolize peace and prosperity for Sendai City.
Panoramic Views: Offers stunning panoramic views of Sendai City from its hilltop location.

A bustling market offering a wide variety of fresh seafood, sushi, and local delicacies.

Fresh Seafood: Offers a vast selection of fresh seafood, including rare and exotic species.
Local Delicacies: Try regional specialties such as gyutan (grilled beef tongue) and zunda-mochi.
Authentic Atmosphere: Experience the lively and authentic atmosphere of a traditional Japanese fish market.

A museum dedicated to the history of Yasukuni Shrine and the lives of those who have served in the Japanese military.

Military History: Explores the history of Japan's military through artifacts, photographs, and dioramas.
Yasukuni Shrine Connection: Provides insights into the connection between Yasukuni Shrine and Japanese military history.
Memorial Hall: Includes a memorial hall dedicated to those who have lost their lives in war.