Miyagi Prefecture
Rich with history, culture and stunning nature, Miyagi Prefecture is a must-visit destination for your travel in Japan.
Miyagi Prefecture is home to Sendai, the central city of the Tohoku region.It is a popular travel destination, with some of Japan's most famous hot springs, such as Akiu Onsen to the west of the city, and Naruko Onsen in the northern part of the prefecture.
Attractions such as Matsushima, one the Three Views of Japan, with its chain of 260 large and small islands, or the emerald green of the beautiful Okama crater lake, make for great sightseeing.
Miyagi has everything a tourist can wish for: beautiful nature, great food, culture and plenty of attractions. The change of the seasons gives the unique chance to see the same place in different periods of the year and discover a different atmosphere every time you visit. From the picturesque yellow and red leaves of fall, to the romantic cherry blossoms of spring, every month of the year is just perfect to visit Miyagi and discover one of the most culturally rich areas of Japan.
You can enjoy the prefecture's seasonal charms and cuisine wrapped in rich nature from the Pacific Ocean to the east and mountain ranges to the west.
Every month of the year it’s just perfect to visit Miyagi and discover one of the most culturally rich areas of Japan.
In Miyagi, as in many areas in Japan, food is not just something to consume within the family: it is part of the culture and history of the region. During festivals and celebrations the traditional food is available on the streets as a treat for locals and tourists. The food tells stories of the area and helps travelers to better embrace the culture of Miyagi, with their strong bond with the sea and the earth.
Sendai beef, oysters, and sake made from crystal clear water are exquisite which are Miyagi’s noted products.
In addition to those famous noted products, you should also try the shark fin from Kesennuma, which boasts the largest seafood catch in Japan, and easy-to-digest umen noodles, made from just water and wheat flour.
Things to Do in Miyagi
Miyagi is a very vibrant region in Japan. There are plenty of festivals and attractions to visit and thanks to the diversity and variation of possible activities, you will be able to enjoy exactly the kind of vacation you are looking for.
We mentioned the famous onsen spots in Akiu and Naruko, but if you feel more adventurous, you can explore the stunning nature of Miyagi, made of islands, gorges, falls and forests.
If you are interested in the deep Japanese culture, you can also visit the Shiogama Shrine, a stunning must-see attraction with more than 1200 years of history.
The biggest city in Miyagi is Sendai, where you can find the famous Daikannon statue, Sendai City Museum and all the conveniences of a big Japanese city like malls, fancy restaurants, shops and so on.
If you are in Sendai, then Zao is a sightseeing spot that can be toured with a return day trip from this city. In winter, it is famous for skiing and the Miyagi Zao Tour of Juhyo (Snow Monster).
As you can see there are tons of different activities you can do in Miyagi Prefecture, and you can personalize your tour based on your preferences and interests!
Miyagi’s Famous Topics
There are several delicious foods you can enjoy in Miyagi. Probably the most famous are the oysters and the gyutan yaki (grilled beef tongue).
It’s said that Miyagi Oysters have been cultured for more than 300 years in Japan, and the Miyagi Prefecture alone produces over 23% of the country's oysters. If you are a seafood enthusiast and you are planning to visit Japan, Miyagi is the place to be!
Traveling from Tokyo to Miyagi
To get to Miyagi from Tokyo is very easy! You can fly from Narita to the Sendai Airport or you can experience the bullet train (Shinkansen) that will take you to Sendai station in 1 hour and 30 minutes! We recommend trying the Shinkansen not just for the amazing experience of travelling on one of the fastest trains in the world, but also for the convenience of getting from the heart of Tokyo (Tokyo station) to the heart of Miyagi (Sendai station) without having to check in at the airport. This will save you a lot of time to dedicate the thousands of activities you can enjoy in Miyagi Prefecture!
To reach Miyagi, precisely the Sendai Station, from Tokyo, it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by Tohoku Shinkansen.
Getting from Tokyo to MIYAGI
Route 1
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JR Tokyo station → Sendai station: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by Tohoku shinkansen
All Itineraries
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TOHOKU × TOKYOThis journey introduces a wide range of destinations that you can enjoy, from sightseeing spots in Tokyo to hot springs in Tohoku where you can soak and relax. Come and tour the sights of Japan, both old and new, such as symbols of Tokyo like the TOKYO SKYTREE and Sensoji Temple, a Matsushima sightseeing cruise, and one of Japan's National Important Cultural Properties at Hirosaki Park. By utilizing Unlimited Rides Passes, you can save on transportation costs and travel around to many locations at an unbeatable price.
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TOHOKU × TOKYOThe Great East Japan Earthquake caused significant damage to the people living in Japan's Tohoku region. In this journey, you will travel along the Joban Line from disaster-prevention spots in Tokyo to areas in Tohoku that were hit by the disaster. By first visiting spots in Tokyo that have survived natural disasters and fires, and then heading to disaster-affected areas in Tohoku and seeing how they have recovered, you will be able to think more deeply about the impacts of natural disasters and about how important disaster prevention is.