Sendai’s Story: Samurai Legends, 2011 Quake, and Why You Should Visit Now

Sendai’s Story: Samurai Legends, 2011 Quake, and Why You Should Visit Now

Discover the incredible story of Sendai, the vibrant capital of Miyagi. Once the stronghold of the legendary one-eyed samurai Date Masamune, Sendai blends feudal history with modern resilience—most notably seen in its recovery from the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

In this video, we explore:
– The rise of Sendai under the powerful Date clan
– The cultural and architectural legacy they left behind
– The city’s struggles and strength during the 2011 disaster
– The best places to visit today—from Zuihoden and Aoba Castle to its lively shopping arcades and peaceful nature spots

Whether you love Japanese history, travel off the beaten path, or want to learn how cities recover and reinvent themselves, Sendai’s story is one you won’t forget.

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00:00 Introduction
00:23 Overview
00:57 How to Get There & Around
02:38 Climate & Youthful Energy
03:14 History
07:26 Where to Visit
11:25 Culinary Delights
12:27 Conclusion

References:
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MATHES, W. M. (1990). A QUARTER CENTURY OF TRANS-PACIFIC DIPLOMACY: NEW SPAIN AND JAPAN, 1592-1617. Journal of Asian History, 24(1), 1–29. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41925377
Mano, A., Iida, T., Udo, K., & Tanaka, H. (2013). Breaking process and mechanism of coastal levees on Sendai Bay Coast hit by the 2011 mega tsunami. Journal of Coastal Research, 772–777. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26482065
McVittie, J. (1949). A European Glimpse of Japan in the Seventeenth Century. The Australian Quarterly, 21(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.2307/20633132
Tremml-Werner, B. (2015). Local-Central Tensions: Geopolitical Strategies, Intelligence, and Information Gathering. In Spain, China, and Japan in Manila, 1571-1644 (pp. 239–264). Amsterdam University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1963…
Wakabayashi, B. T. (1991). In Name Only: Imperial Sovereignty in Early Modern Japan. The Journal of Japanese Studies, 17(1), 25–57. https://doi.org/10.2307/132906