Arai荒井
Sendai guide
A castle town founded by the warlord Date Masamune. Zelkova-lined avenues, the castle site and his mausoleum are in the city; Matsushima Bay and Yamadera are easy train trips. Known for grilled beef tongue.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Sendai Castle Site (Aoba Castle)
The site of Date Masamune's castle. Stone walls remain, and the hilltop with his statue on horseback looks out over the city.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minFree
Bus · About 30 min from Sendai ・ Loople Sendai bus to Sendai Castle Site ・ 8.1km from here
- 2
Zuihoden Mausoleum
The mausoleum of Date Masamune. Stone steps through tall cedars lead up to a hall covered in brightly colored carvings.
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 45 minPaid entryMany stairs or slopes
Bus · About 25 min from Sendai ・ Loople Sendai bus to Zuihoden-mae, then about 7 minutes on foot ・ 7.2km from here
- 3
Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
A shrine built by Date Masamune. Its main hall, in black lacquer with gold and colored carvings, is a National Treasure.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 30 minFree
Bus · About 30 min from Sendai ・ Bus from Sendai Station to Osaki Hachimangu-mae ・ 9.5km from here
- 4
Jozenji-dori Avenue
A broad avenue lined with zelkova trees, with sculptures along the central walkway. The trees are lit up in December.
- Nature
- Night views
about 30 minFree
Subway · About 12 min from Sendai ・ Namboku subway line to Kotodai-Koen ・ 7.3km from here
- 5
Sendai Morning Market (Asaichi)
A lane of fish, vegetable and deli stalls a short walk from the station. Despite the name, it stays open into the evening.
- Food & markets
- Shopping & strolling
about 30 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Walk · About 5 min from Sendai ・ 6.3km from here
- 6
Matsushima Bay (Godaido Hall and cruises)
A bay dotted with pine-covered islands, one of Japan's Three Views. Cruise among the islands and cross a bridge to Godaido Hall.
Introduced by JNTO
Matsushima Bay is named in a feature on JNTO's UK site that presents Tohoku as a still little-known region. Source: JNTO (UK feature), Tohoku Travel Guide: Uncovering Japan's Best-Kept Secret
- Nature
- Views
- History & buildings
about 2 hrPartly paid
Train · About 55 min from Sendai ・ JR Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan, then about 10 minutes on foot ・ 17km from here
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
Downtown Sendai beyond the trees, seen from the Sendai Castle site Enirac Sum (Public domain) / The white turret of Sendai Castle on its stone wall 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / The black-and-gold Nehan-mon Gate of Zuihoden 掬茶 (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The shrine buildings of Osaki Hachimangu among trees Tak1701d (CC BY-SA 3.0) / The zelkova-lined promenade of Jozenji-dori Avenue 掬茶 (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Shops of the Sendai Morning Market under Tanabata decorations Kinori (Public domain) / Godaido Hall on a small island in Matsushima Bay 掬茶 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped and resized.
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- Elevators available (the route may be longer)
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