September itinerary in Japan Day 1 (Miyagi Day 1)
(Sunday, September 26)
Table of contents
4. A walk through Jozenji-dori
About a month ago, I proposed a September itinerary aimed at eating seasonal fish and shellfish and local cuisine. I have actually traveled the itinerary proposed from September 26th (Sun) to October 4th (Mon), so I will report on it.
First, from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on the first day (September 26th).
In conclusion, on the first day, I was able to travel according to the itinerary proposed last time. However, it needs to be fine-tuned.
https://edokagura.com/en/local-cuisine/377/
First of all, the arrival time of “Loople Sendai”, which goes around the sightseeing spots in Sendai city, may be delayed depending on the traffic conditions. Therefore, we found that we should act with a little more time than the schedule we proposed.
In the proposed itinerary, I proposed to start Sendai station and return to Sendai station in about two and a half hours, but it is better to go around in about three to three and a half hours. I went around the itinerary in two and a half hours, but it got a little hectic. Therefore, I think it’s better to have a schedule that finishes lunch at noon rather than starting at noon.
Below are the impressions and photos of the sightseeing spots that I actually visited.
First of all, I got on the city circulation bus “Loople Sendai” from the 16th stop of Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal. The one-day ticket is 630 yen. The one-day ticket including the subway fare is 920 yen. If you go to Mutsu-Kokubunji Yakushido in 6 by subway or use the subway to the hotel, the subway costs 210 yen one way, so it is better to buy a one-day ticket that includes the subway fare.
“Loople Sendai” operates every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays. It takes about 70 minutes to go around in one direction. I rode on Sunday so it was every 15 minutes. However, as mentioned earlier, please note that the bus was delayed for about 3-5 minutes due to traffic congestion.
1. Zuihoden
(From Sendai Station, take “Loople Sendai” for 13 minutes, get off at Zuihodenmae, and walk to Zuihoden on a slightly tight slope for about 5 minutes.)
Admission: Adults Yen 570 yen. However, if you show the one-day ticket for “Loople Sendai”, it will be Yen 460.
Zuihoden is the sacred house of Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai domain. I was impressed by the many decorations in wonderful colors. This is the most wonderful sightseeing spot in Sendai that I visited this time. Since I visited at the very beginning, I only stayed for 30 minutes, but it was a place I wish I had stayed longer and watched. Personally, this is the most recommended sightseeing spot in Sendai.
2. Sendai Castle Ruins
(10 minutes from Zuihoden by “Loople Sendai”, get off at Sendai Castle Ruins, 1 minute walk)
Sendai Castle has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles by the Japan Castle Association. However, since there are almost no buildings, it is literally a castle ruin. From the location of the equestrian statue of Masamune, you can see the city and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Personally, I think the stay time can be 15-20 minutes. Isn’t it enough to take a picture of Masamune’s equestrian statue?
No admission fee.
https://www.sentabi.jp/guidebook/attractions/78/
3. Osaki Hachimangu
(20 minutes from Sendai Castle Ruins by “Loople Sendai”, get off at Osaki Hachimangu, and go up the 98 stone stairs. It takes about 5 minutes on foot from the bus stop.)
Osaki Hachimangu is designated as a national treasure building as the only remains in Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Osaki Hachimangu is well preserved and well worth a visit. However, although it may be due to the influence of the annual festival, it was really disappointing that the tent was set up in front of the main shrine and it was difficult to see the building. Without this tent, I felt it was worth the time to spend my time watching. This time, my stay time was 30 minutes.
No admission fee.
https://www.oosaki-hachiman.or.jp/pop/
4. A walk through Jozenji-dori
(12 minutes from Osaki Hachimangu Shrine to “Loople Sendai”, get off at Jozenji-dori City Hall)
This time, I got off at the “Jozenjidori City Hall” bus stop according to the proposed itinerary. However, if you have time, you should get off at “Mediatheque” (located along Jozenji-dori) and take a walk on Jozenji-dori.
https://loople-sendai.jp/en/about/
5. Sendai Toshogu
(3 minutes walk from JR Toshogu Station)
Last time, in the itinerary we proposed, I wrote that it was a 9-minute walk from JR Toshogu Station, but in reality it was about a 3-minute walk. You can get there as soon as you get off JR Toshogu Station and pass through the park. The ride time from JR Sendai Station to JR Toshogu Station is 4 minutes. The ticket is Yen 190.
The deity of the Sendai Toshogu Shrine is Ieyasu Tokugawa. It is a national important cultural property. Sendai Toshogu Shrine was founded in 1654. It was founded by the second feudal lord, Date Tadamune.
I personally thought that it was a very quaint and nice shrine. Mr. Umemura, a carpenter who also worked on the main hall of Osaki Hachimangu (national treasure) and the main hall of Zuiganji Temple (national treasure), was in charge of the construction. It means that it was a famous building by a famous builder. It’s a shrine worth visiting, but a 30-minute stay should be sufficient.
6. Mutsu-Kokubunji Yakushido
(4 minutes walk from Yakushido Station)
Mutsu-Kokubunji Yakushido was rebuilt in 1607 by Date Masamune. It is a national important cultural property. Mutsu-Kokubunji Yakushido was a place where it could be said that there were almost no buildings. There are Yakushido, Niomon, and Bell Tower, but nothing else remains.
The ruins of the seven-storied pagoda and the ruins of the central gate still have cornerstones, and you can imagine the prosperity of the past. However, if it is only the cornerstone, I think that unless you are familiar with history, you will not be very interested in it. If you are familiar with history, it is not bad to imagine a long time ago because it was Kokubunji (a temple that was set up nationwide at the request of Emperor Shomu in 741), which was located in the northernmost part of Japan.
But if you don’t have the time, you may not need to go all the way. It takes less than an hour for a round trip from Sendai Station (7 minutes one way on the Tozai Subway Line, get off at Yakushido Station) and a tour.
No admission fee.
I will post the meal edition of the first day of Miyagi prefecture tomorrow.
Note: The departure / arrival times, fees, admission fees, etc. of transportation listed in the text are as of the time of writing the BLOG. They may change in the future, so please check for yourself when you go on a trip.