Sendai Attractions

Sendai, the vibrant capital of Miyagi Prefecture, is known as the “City of Trees,” blending urban energy with lush greenery and rich history. Visitors can explore the legacy of the legendary samurai Date Masamune at the impressive Sendai Castle ruins, enjoy seasonal beauty from cherry blossoms to autumn leaves, and savor local specialties like gyutan (grilled beef tongue). Just beyond the city, scenic spots such as Matsushima Bay—famed as one of Japan’s three most beautiful views—make Sendai an ideal gateway to culture, nature, and unforgettable experiences in northeastern Japan. Among all Sendai attractions, the most iconic may be:

• Ōsaki Hachimangū temple [Wikipedia article]: which has been designated a National Treasure of Japan.
   
• The ruins of Sendai Castle [Wikipedia article] which are close to downtown, on Aobayama, and also gives an astonishing panoramic view of the city.


• The Zuihōden Mausoleum complex [Wikipedia article] is the tomb of Date Masamune and is home to artifacts related to the Date family. It is on a hill called Kyogamine, which is the traditional resting place for Date family members.
   
• Mutsu Kokubun-ji [Wikipedia article]  an impresive Buddhist temple and Rino-ji temple [trip advisor article] featuring a pagoda nested in a traditional Japanese garden.
   
• Matsushima bay [Wikipedia article] featuring a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) –hence the name– and it is considered to be one of the Three Views of Japan.
   
• The magnificient temple of Yamadera [Wikipedia article] probably founded in 860 AD, nested on the top of hills with a breathtaking view is connected to sendai by local train (about 1h).
   
• Western Sendai is home to many sites of natural beauty, many of them found around Akiu Onsen and Sakunami, which are hot spring resorts. Sites around the Akiu area include the Akiu Great Falls, sometimes counted as one of Japan's three great waterfalls, and the Rairai Gorge, known for its autumn colours. The Futakuchi Gorge contains waterfalls that have been designated as natural monuments and the Banji Cliffs, an example of columnar basalt.

For more information you can browse The Lonely Planet guide to Miyagi Prefecture, Trip Advisor web page, the Japan travel webpage and, of course, the local tourist guide discoversendai.travel !

Below you can find maps of touristic attractions in Sendai and in Miyagi Prefecture: