Location: Miyagi Prefecture
Top Things to do in Miyagi Prefecture
- 1. EntsuinJapan National Tourism OrganizationTemples/ Shrines in Miyagi
- 2. Okama CraterJapan National Tourism OrganizationNature in Miyagi
- 3. Shiogama Shrine
- 4. Naruko ValleyJapan National Tourism OrganizationNature in Miyagi
- 5. Jozenji-dori Avenue
- 6. Shiroishigawa Embankment Hitome Sembonzakura
- 7. Michinoku Lakeside National Government Park
- 8. Hiyoriyama Park
- 9. Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi
- 10. Fukuurajima
Top Hotels in Miyagi Prefecture
What to do and see in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Miyagi Prefecture in Japan, from Asia region, is best know for Sacred & Religious Sites. Discover best things to do in Miyagi Prefecture with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Miyagi Prefecture
1. EntsuinJapan National Tourism OrganizationTemples/ Shrines in Miyagi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Reviewed By TheDoor_isopen - Tuggeranong, Australia
This is a beautiful temple and garden. It's unusual because it contains a rose garden, a moss garden and a heart shaped pond. There are many maple trees which would make it a lovely sight in autumn. You can wander at your own leisure and take in the vistas. There's a green brochure in English at the ticket booth which is very interesting. I highly recommend it.
2. Okama CraterJapan National Tourism OrganizationNature in Miyagi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By stepme - Singapore
I woke up at 4.30am to prepare myself for the 1st train at 5.44am from Yamagata to yamadara by Senzan line on track 7. It was cold in the morning and a jacket is definitely a must.
The sky was not bright till around 6am when I reach Yamadara station and there was not a single soul around. At the exit of the train station, there is no need to show JR pass as there is no gantry or attendant.
I orientated myself alittle and walk straight down and turn right towards a red bridge. Walk through the bridge and there are some directions on how to get to the mountain. It was a 10minutes walk and I saw a stairway up. However, it was not open yet!! Therefore, I sat there to have my breakfast. I was thankful that when it was around 6.30am, a temple worker open the side door and I was able to get in. Later when I was about to go down then I realised that there is another entrance with no door!!
Anyway, i was very blessed as the opening time was suppose to be 8am.. it was a really nice experience as there is no one at all and i could take pictures without ple blocking the views. It took me 15 minutes to get to the top and I rested there with some oranges for a snack. Only met one other uncle who is an photo enthusiast. I headed to the other side of the mountain for an alternative view which take 10minutes.
Left Yamadera Temple about 7.45pm to catch the 8.14am train back to Yamagata as I wanted to go to Okama crater. I kind of lost my way as I could not figure out which way to get to the train station (whether turn left or right). However, glad I saw a passer-by. It was like a chicken and duck talking as he could not understand me. However, being desperate, I persist on and repeated the word station. The uncle kind of get it and used a stone to map out how to get to the station on the road which was 5 minutes away. Thank God I got on the train on time :)
At Yamagata station, I went to the bus station office at the east side of JR train station as I did not know if I needed to pay for the bus ride first or pay at the end of the ride.
The bus officer at the station could understand limited English but adequate enough to understand what I ask. I had to buy a ticket of 2050yen for 1 way trip to katta peak. Actually i realised that you can also pay directly on the bus as I paid when I alight. I was lucky enough as I thought that the boarding is at bus station 4. At bus station 4, there were okama crater written on it to say okama crater bus is at bus station 1, but i did not interpret it correctly at the beginning.
However, I do not know why I felt something was not right and I suddenly realised that I should be at bus station 1. That was 4 minutes before the departure of the bus! Thankfully I rush over and saw the okama bus. The bus itself have a sigh in English that says Katta. Really thankful as I would have missed the only bus of that day.
The day before, I went to the tourist visiting center to enquire about okama crater. The helpful staff could speak pretty good English and answer most of my queries. She advise me to check the weather forecast as she says that if it is cloudy, the crater cannot be seen. I checked the night before and it seemed that nearing to 11am, it will be cloudy. It was the time that the bus will reach the peak. The next day will be stormy, therefore definitely not possible.
As I do not have another day at Yamagata, I decided to just go and enjoy the hike even if I cannot see the crater. It was a good decision as I enjoyed the autumn leaves scenery on the bus ride up. It has fully bloom and the colours were amazing. It make me realised that life is like the seasons, once miss, it takes a long time for the season to come back and it will not be the same again. Therefore, embrace every moment, for it may not return again. As we approached the mid-way, it started to be misty.. The fog was so bad that only what is directly in front can b seen.
The fog remained when the bus reached the top, and what make it worst was the speed of wind. It was so strong that it managed to drag me away from my spot. Still hopeful as I prayed, I waited at the waiting area and eat the Sandwich that I bought. I always think that sandwiches should be eaten at mountain top. :)
Guess what? The fog really dissipated for a short period of time! I immediately bought 2 cans of hot coffee to warm my hands, went out, brace the strong wind for 10 minutes and waited for the crater to be visible. God was really graciously, I saw the Emerald lake. It was do beautiful!! I realised that the clouds will usually dissipate for a short period of time as and when, however, not all the time, the crater can be seen clearly. I was blessed enough to see it clearly.
The other thing that I realised is that the rope way to the crater is an hour hike away, thank God I did not take the rope way as there is no way to walk to the crater in that weather.
3. Shiogama Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By bakatori - Singapore
Shiogama Jinja is about 20 min walk from JR Honshiogama Station.
You can access the temple either by climbing up the steep flight of steps. Or take a easy short cut via the shrine before Shiogama Jinja.
During April, on the 4th Sunday, a spring matsuri is held. Food stalls are set up infront of the station.
This year, it fell on 22nd April. I purchased a Sendai Marugoto pass from sendai Station. This pass which cost Yen 2600 allows you to travel on all JR local lines and sendai loope bus unlimited for 2 days. Please note the office that sells this pass opens at 10.00am and it is located on the 1st floor of the Sendai Station. Just ask the information counter if you can't find it. You will be able to exchange your JR East pass too at this office.
Hence by the time I reached Shiogama Jinja, it was already 11.00am. I was in time for the ritual dance and the solemn ceremony. The Mikoshi will descend from the flight of steps, carried by the religious bearers in white. A colourful procession will commence once it reach the bottom of the steps with the swaying Mikoshi as its main attraction. The heavy Mikoshi seemed to have a will of its own, swaying and moving in all directions, giving the bearers a hard time in keeping it in the right course.
The cherry blossoms in Shiogama blooms in late April.
Meaning either you are in time to join in the matsuri and miss the bloom or enjoy the bloom and miss the matsuri.
Or you may want to stay longer in Sendai to have both.
Shiogama was not spared from the Tohoku 2011 earthquake. Economically and physically. Shops went busted due to poor or no business. Buildings deemed unsafe after the earthquake were cordon off with tapes.
You can hear people encouraging one another to hold on "Gambatte ne!" in the crowd.
Even amidst these make merry, one can't help but wonder "what about tomorrow" once the festive crowd has left?
4. Naruko ValleyJapan National Tourism OrganizationNature in Miyagi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By Natthaphon C
The bus from train station matched with the train arrival time. The beautiful gorge was painted with changing color of falling leaves. Several photographers were waiting to take a photo of the train entering the tunnel. I was lucky that it was around 10.55-11.00 when I was there and got the pictures.
5. Jozenji-dori Avenue
Overall Ratings
4 based on 365 reviews
Reviewed By Renata T
It's one of the main streets of Sendai, large and with many trees. There is some cultural places with activities during the year.
6. Shiroishigawa Embankment Hitome Sembonzakura
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By bakatori - Singapore
Just a few minutes walk away from this famous sakura viewing spot from JR Oogawara station.
Try to visit this wonderful and beautiful sakura viewing spot early in the morning and you will have the whole place without unwanted people in your viewfinder. Indeed it is as it is being described "一目千本桜", with one glance, the view of the pink cloud of Sakura along the riverbank seems to stretch
It was raining cats and dogs on the night of my intended trip day. Hence I postponed the trip to the next morning. Turned out the rain was a blessing in disguise. It was a very sunny day. Due to the heat of the morning sun, mist rose from the rain soaked river embankment. The mist, the warm sunlight and the pink Sakura cloud, you have to be there yourself to really feel the sight.
On my next trip I want to walk the stretch of river from Oogawara station to Funaoka station.
7. Michinoku Lakeside National Government Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By Bahlul
Michinoku Lakeside National Government Park, about 30 min drive from Sendai city by car and their is a bus going their from Sendai station. Very beautiful amassing place and very well designed park, full of attraction for kids, cycling boat in the dam are vey exciting. Don't miss this place if you have chance to visit Sendai or miyagi prefecture.
8. Hiyoriyama Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By vdv - Los Angeles, California
Walked up the steps/road to Hiyori-yama. Having stayed at Kikuchi Ryokan, the steps/road were located literally around the corner from the inn. It's about a a 20-minute hike to the top. You will be rewarded with sweeping views of the ocean and the river. There are benches placed throughout and lots of signs in Japanese and English that show some of the "before" and "after" photos of various vantage points (pre-quake/tsunami and after). It is sobering to look down upon the flatlands adjacent to the ocean/river and realize the magnitude of the tragedy that struck this community. Well worth the hike up, take a moment to sit and reflect and pray for peace on earth, and never forget March 11, 2011.
9. Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By braybrigade - Utah
What a spectacle! We loved watching the July 4th game vs the Chiba Lotte Marines. The cheers are catchy, the crowd's enthusiasm is genuine. There is good food, and good souvenirs. My toddler loved the game (and the ice cream), and even made friends with the ladies behind us. Rakuten Eagles won, which made a fitting end to a great evening!
10. Fukuurajima
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Ettelbruck - Vantaa, Finland
10min walking off the station. Nice bridge, new after 2011 tsunami. Island is beautiful with nice sea views and variety of flora. Late April was top season for tulip-park, cherry blossom had been much earlier. Easy to feel tranquility here - if you let nature take you!
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