Why SENDAI Belongs on Your JAPAN Itinerary

Why SENDAI Belongs on Your JAPAN Itinerary

Japan’s most popular spots are overwhelmed but 
there’s a side of the country most travelers miss a gateway into Northern Japan from temples 
in the clouds to an island overrun by cats it’s a city that keeps pulling me back just an 
hour and a half north of Tokyo Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region home to 
over 1 million people yet despite its size and convenience it’s often overlooked at 
first glance it might seem like just another city but spend some time here and 
you’ll discover so much more Sendai isn’t just a destination it’s the perfect base for 
exploring Northern Japan’s hidden gems we’ll start right here in Sendai tracking down the 
best local food uncovering its rich history and taking you on unforgettable day trips 
proving why Sendai deserves a spot on your itinerary but before we dive into these 
adventures first things first the food every trip here begins with gyutan a local 
specialty thinly sliced beef tongue grilled to perfection delivering a smoky tender bite 
with a rich unmistakable flavor paired with steamed rice and a comforting bowl of soup it’s 
the perfect balance of taste and texture in Japan it’s believed the number three symbolizes 
harmony and completeness and if you ask me this dish embodies that beautifully gyutan is loved by 
both locals and visitors I’ve even gone as far as waiting inside a stairwell for a spot but with so 
many places serving this specialty you won’t have to wait long or leave unsatisfied and if gyutan 
still isn’t your thing Sendai has plenty more to offer on the eighth floor of a downtown building 
there’s a yakiniku spot that serves some of the finest wagyu beef Tohoku has to offer known for 
its exceptional quality and after one bite you’ll understand why as the night winds down there’s 
only one place left to go Kokubuncho the city’s nightlife district for those late night cravings 
nothing beats ramen I watch as the master and apprentice craft the perfect bowl and just 
moments after ordering it’s promptly served but before diving in I take a moment to admire 
it it deserves that respect ramen has a way of bringing people together salary men finishing up 
work party goers winding down and travelers like me just passing through send is a big city but 
it’s got a small town warmth to it bringing us together if only for a brief moment in time now 
that we’re refueled it’s time we stretch our legs and step into Sendai’s rich history a great place 
to start is the Sendai castle ruins just across the Hirose river perched on a hillside overlooking 
the city the ruins are all that remain of a once magnificent fortress much of which was lost to war 
and natural disasters today the site honors Date Masamune the legendary feudal lord and founder 
of modern Sendai his iconic statue now stands proudly watching over the city he helped build 
the view from here is definitely the highlight and you could see why Sendai is called the city 
of trees with all the greenery that surrounds it you can even spot the towering Dai Kannon statue 
one of the tallest in the world oh and one last thing don’t leave without trying zunda here it’s 
another local specialty made from mashed edamame which might not sound appealing but trust me it’s 
delicious just the short walk from the castle ruins you’ll find Kyōgamine Park peaceful retreat 
into nature and history its quiet trails let you step away from the city reconnect with nature and 
further explore the legacy of the Date Masamune family venture deeper and you’ll find 
Zuihōden the mausoleum of Date Masamune built after his death in 1637 its vibrant Momoyama 
era carving stand out against its surroundings making it one of Japan’s most unique National 
Treasures I enjoyed wandering through the park uncovering its hidden gems and immersing myself 
in its rich history each site has a story to tell deepening my connection to the city’s past as 
I move further into the park the quiet rustling of leaves was the only sound drawing me into a 
peaceful trance a stillness that made me feel present in the moment and recharged before heading 
back to the city now that we’ve gotten a feel for the city it’s time we explore beyond it from 
here on out Sendai station is the gateway for the adventurers ahead we’ll visit five unforgettable 
places starting with the closest one just 30 minutes away Matsushima bay is one of Japan’s 
three views considered one of the most scenic spots in the country from the Shiogama ferry 
terminal you can hop on a ferry every hour for ride through the bay I took the bash 
cruise that follows the same route that once inspired Japan’s most famous Haiku 
poet Matsu a place so beautiful he can only repeat the words Matsushima Matsushima 
and you’ll quickly see why words just aren’t enough the ferry glides past over 260 
Islands each shaped by centuries of natural artistry notable spots include 
Niohjima and Kanejima Bell Island named for the echoing sound created by its 
waves the 50-minute ride flies by with breathtaking views at every turn as we 
approached Matsushima Port I caught my first glimpse of Fukuurabashi an iconic red foot 
bridge that stands out even from a distance at 252 M long the Fukuurabashi bridge 
elegantly stretches across the water connecting you to an island that feels 
like a natural sanctuary home to over 300 species of flowers plants and trees 
it’s easy to lose yourself in its nature winding trails pull you away from the 
crowds leading to quiet intimate spaces as I ventured further off the beaten 
path through overgrown trails and into the island’s more remote corners it felt 
like I had a piece of the island to myself even with its popularity what I love most was 
how much there still was to discover as you explore you’re rewarded with peaceful moments 
and stunning views of the bay Matsushima Bay truly lives up to its reputation as one of 
Japan’s three views and wild to think you could start your day in the city and end up 
somewhere like this as we leave the island behind our journey continues Inland to the 
neighboring prefecture of Yamagata where we’ll arrive at Yamadera station conveniently located 
at the base of the incline that leads up to the temple our journey begins at a tori gate 
marking the start of the climb but these first set of stairs are just the warmup that 
lead up to the Konponchudō Temple founded in the year 860 to promote Buddhism in the region 
and apparently it’s believed to be the oldest beachwood building in Japan it’s a nice 
brief stop before the real climb begins 1,015 stone steps that wind through forests and 
weathered ancient monuments the path is not just a physical ascent but a spiritual one every step a 
journey of purification the climb is no easy feat but that’s what makes reaching the summit unforgettable perched high 
above the valley Yamadera literally “mountain temple” perfectly 
blends with the surrounding nature it’s here that I learned the word “keshiki” 
meaning landscape or scenery and upon reaching the top every Japanese visitor would have 
the same reaction saying what a beautiful view if you’re looking for an experience that 
stays with you long after you’ve left Yamadera is certainly one you won’t forget every 
step is worth it but our journey through Northern Japan studying Landscapes doesn’t end 
here for those drawn to nature’s raw beauty Naruko Valley is just the place tucked 
away in the northern Miyagi prefecture it’s an escape into Japan’s raw 
untamed nature getting here is a bit of a trek though first by train 
then an hour-long uphill walk from the closest station but what waits for 
you at the end makes it all worth it once you’ve taken in the views there’s a trail 
that leads down to the heart of the gorge as you descend the landscape starts to shift and honestly 
the views are just as stunning from below it’s definitely one of the most picturesque 
places I’ve ever been to 20-minute walk down is peaceful with the soft sound of the stream 
growing louder as you approach the valley floor at the bottom there’s a small viewing platform 
that lets you take in the gorgeous full grandeur I wish I had more time to explore but in a way 
leaving then felt just right because on my way back I was treated to one last view of the 
valley this time during golden hour but we have one last train to catch back to the coast 
towards our final stop of this trip Cat Island little did I know this would turn out to be 
one of the biggest adventures yet the journey begins in Ishinomaki a coastal city Northeast 
of Sendai from the moment I arrived there was something peculiar about this place starting 
with the anime statues lined up across the the streets turns out they honor the legacy of 
Shotaro Ishinomori a legendary manga artist known for creating iconic series like Cyborg 009 Kamen 
Riderr and Super Sentai which most of us know as Power Rangers following the statues along manga 
road I eventually reached the Kyukitakami River where I plan to catch the morning ferry 
to the island but plans don’t always go as expected the ferry was unfortunately 
canceled due to bad weather with my head down I made my way to the second terminal hoping 
to try my luck there and to my relief I found out there might be another ferry rescheduled 
at 11:30 weather permitting still that was hours away so I decided to continue exploring 
Ishinomori a city I really knew nothing about one of the most striking sites I came 
across was the ruins of Kadonowaki Elementary School devastated by the great 
east Japan earthquake in 2011 followed by a tsunami that caused widespread destruction 
in being right on the coastline the city was hit particularly hard left untouched as 
a reminder to never forget the tragedies that unfolded seeing its skeletal remains 
feels like stepping back in time a haunting reminder of nature’s immense power and how 
quickly life can change Japan has a long history of enduring natural disasters but its 
resilience and ability to rebuild with hope is nothing short of remarkable seeing the 
ruins was deeply moving and just as I was about to leave I noticed a cat watching me 
almost as if telling me follow me so I did I followed the cat up to Hiyoriyama Park a hidden 
sanctuary with cherry blossoms lining the path with each step I could feel the energy 
shift unsure of what I’d find at the top the Park’s name weather Mountain comes 
from its history as a lookout where Sailors once checked the skies before setting sail it 
also served as a refuge for the Great Tohoku Earthquake Sheltering many including students 
and teachers from Kadonowaki Elementary School there’s a Japanese saying “hana wa saku” 
flowers will bloom a reminder that even after hardships beauty and life can emerge 
just like flowers bloom after a cold winter what began as a day of setbacks and unexpected 
turns led me here to this quiet unforgettable moment a poetic end to what already felt like a 
full day of adventure but the story wasn’t over yet back at the terminal it was quiet 
with no other passengers or ferry in sight my Hope quickly began to fade 
then against all odds there it was the fairy had arrived bound for Cat Island the 
“Mermaid 2” was finally ready to take us there 40 minutes later Tashirojima better 
known as Cat Island came into view a remote island where hundreds of cats 
roam freely said to outnumber humans 4 to1 lovingly cared for and even worshiped 
by the islands mostly elderly residents the island was once known for farming silkworms 
to produce textiles cats were kept to protect the silk worms from pests and ever since 
one rule has remained unchanged no dogs allowed we arrived at Notori Port a quiet 
fishing village at the southern tip of the island because of the delay I only had 
a few hours before the last ferry back at first the island seemed empty with no 
cats in sight then one by one they appeared some were curious some indifferent 
and others preferred keeping their distance a peaceful forest trail led me 
deeper into the island lined with cat themed signs I couldn’t tell you what 
they say but they’re fun to look at the path eventually led me to come 
face to face with one of the locals fumbling to set up my camera I wasn’t sure what to expect and just as I thought I’d captured an 
adorable moment I went in for the pet only to be rejected just like that it strutted away 
leaving me laughing at myself turns out it just came from the Island’s rush shop that 
was nearby a central meeting group for both cats and human visitors here you’ll find the 
highest concentration of cats regularly fed by the shopkeepers I don’t think I’ve ever seen so 
many in one place and this wasn’t even feeding time as I grabbed a quick bite I noticed 
one mischievous cat kept sneaking in a regular occurrence judging by that 
guilty face Tashirojima has a special bond with its cats fishermen believe the 
cats brought good luck often watching their behavior to predict the weather and the day 
catch at the center of the island there’s a small cat-sized Shrine in their honor I 
stop by to pay my respects hoping for a little luck myself something I’d find sooner 
than expected I returned to the dock a bit early just to be sure I wouldn’t be stranded 
here then out of nowhere a cat jumped onto my lap I froze awkwardly crouching in the 
middle of the road careful not to disturb it it took some time to warm up to me again 
after some hesitation it returned settling back onto my lap I called him Neko-san I 
wondered what drew him to me maybe I was just a warm body in the afternoon chill he 
was an older cat and you could tell by the coarse texture of his fur but I didn’t mind 
I was touch that of all people he chose me sitting together the day felt like a 
fairy tale each cat a new character in my story then the moment I dreaded the 
fairy appeared our time together was up in just 30 minutes I had somehow 
fallen in love and had my heart broken as I boarded Neko-san stayed behind 
leaving me with a bittersweet farewell and just like that our journey comes to 
an end or does it there’s something about this place that keeps drawing 
you back this region makes up a fifth of Japan yet it’s still overlooked 
we’ve explored some unforgettable places but we’ve only just scratched the surface 
Sendai isn’t just another city it’s a gateway a starting point for those willing to go beyond 
the usual path when you make it out here forget the crowds and set your own path let this city 
show you what you’ve been missing because Sendai isn’t just a destination it’s where new journeys 
begin and as for mine I’m just getting started m

Sendai is a city that continues to surprise me and keeps me coming back. I first visited in 2023 and crazy to think this video has already been two years in the making.

I hope it’s just the beginning of many more adventures ahead.

0:00 Why Sendai?
0:56 Sendai’s Food
2:40 Castle Ruins
3:35 Kyōgamine Park
4:38 Matsushima Bay
5:58 Fukuura Bridge
7:05 Yamadera
9:00 Naruko Valley
10:36 Ishinomaki
14:00 Cat Island (Tashirojima)

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