Sendai, the gateway to Tohoku, Matsushima Bay’s pine-covered islands and the Akiu and Naruko hot springs.
Sendai is about 90 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen and makes an easy base. Matsushima and the hot springs are each a short train or bus ride away.
JapaLens editorial guide · Read in about 5 minutesThe tree-lined avenues of Jozenji-dori, the Zuihoden mausoleum of the Date lords and the Aoba Castle site overlook the city. The Sendai Tanabata Festival is held in early August.
The Loople Sendai sightseeing bus circles the main sights from Sendai Station.
Read this area guide →Matsushima Bay is dotted with about 260 small pine-covered islands and is counted among Japan’s Three Views. Take a sightseeing boat, then visit Zuigan-ji temple and Godaido hall.
Matsushima-Kaigan Station is about 40 minutes from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.
Read this area guide →Akiu Onsen is a bus ride from Sendai and near the Akiu Great Falls. Naruko Onsen, in the north, has several spring types and a gorge famous for autumn colours.
Many inns include dinner; check meal times and dietary options when booking.
Read this area guide →An editorial route idea, not a timed tour. Adjust it for weather, opening days and your walking pace.
Train to Matsushima and take a bay cruise.
Seafood or oysters in Matsushima.
Return to Sendai for Zuihoden and the Aoba Castle site.
Grilled beef tongue for dinner near the station.
Try gyutan (grilled beef tongue), zunda mochi, oysters and sasakamaboko fish cakes.
Stay near Sendai Station for rail access, or spend a night in Akiu or Naruko for a hot-spring inn.
The Tohoku Shinkansen stops at Sendai. Use the subway and Loople bus in the city, JR Senseki Line for Matsushima and the Rikuu East Line from Furukawa for Naruko.
