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MIYAGI x TOKYO

  • TOKYO
  • MIYAGI

SEASIDE BEAUTY

This route introduces the cityscape of Odaiba glimpsed from the seaside and the beautiful charms of Matsushima, nestled in nature, through a mixture of gourmet food, hands-on sightseeing, shopping, and more.

Official Tokyo Travel Guide
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/

Local government official website
https://visitmiyagi.com/

TRAVELER

  • Traveled : November, 2015 Choyce
    Blogger
    Reside in Taiwan
  • Traveled : November, 2015 Hwang Hsiao Chun
    Journalist
    Reside in Tokyo
    Home country: Taiwan

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

ANA824 Examine the directions from your country

  • Choyce

    I flew on ANA on my trip to Tokyo in November. Airlines in Japan offer a good selection of in-flight meals, and their hospitality and services are second to none.

Narita International Airport

Narita Express (JR EAST PASS)

Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Day1

TOKYO

Odaibamore

RECOMMENDED DESTINATIONS

Odaiba
In recent years, Odaiba Seaside Park has become immensely popular with foreign tourists. The area that opens onto the waterfront offers enjoyment for the whole family throughout the day. Take a ride on Yurikamome train and water buses for a mode of transportation that is different from the usual, and for a feel of Tokyo Bay’s sea breeze. After enjoying the entertainment, and having a taste of gourmet food and shopping at the various commercial facilities, visitors can go to spots where they can witness the beauty of the sunset and the night view.
  • Choyce

    While the image of Odaiba held by most people is of binge shopping, there is also a unique driverless monorail and the recently popular Gundam statue. However, at the top of my list of recommendations is the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation and the RiSuPia Panasonic Center. These museums have systems and are at a scale not often seen in Taiwan. They are also great places for families and offer ample learning opportunities for kids and parents.

Odaiba Line
Odaiba Seaside Park→Hinode Pier
30 minutes

Walk
Hinode Pier→Tokyo Tower
30 minutes

Tokyo Towermore

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is located in Shiba-Koen of Minato-ku in Tokyo and it’s been recognized as a symbol for the capital of Japan. In addition to it, this 333 meter tall radio tower was built in 1958 as a broadcasting tower and it became an iconic landmark which is a must-visit place in Tokyo.

  • Choyce

    There are many ways to view Tokyo Tower. Among the best is from the skyscraper hotels in Odaiba, which provide dazzling panoramic views of not only Tokyo Tower, but also Tokyo Bay and Odaiba.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Going up to the viewing platform during the day allows you to see Mt. Fuji in the distance. At night, you can enjoy a beautiful night view that looks just like it is studded with jewels.

    By heading from the Tokyo Tower to Daimon via Zojoji Temple, a scene of elegance and serenity suddenly giving way to the tumultuous hustle and bustle of the city unfolds before your eyes. There, you can see a scene straight from a Japanese TV drama as well as throngs of people as they move back and forth.

New Transit Yurikamome~Toei Subway Oedo Line
Akabanebashi Station→Telecom Center
30 minutes

TOKYO ODAIBA OEDO-ONSEN MONOGATARI(Closed down on September 5, 2021)more

TOKYO ODAIBA OEDO-ONSEN MONOGATARI(Closed down on September 5, 2021)
This is a hot spring theme park where visitors can relax in the Tokyo bay area. The natural hot spring water, which is pumped up from 1,400m underground, is very mild. Even after getting out of the bath, the warmth envelopes your body for a long time, comforting both your mind and body. There are some good deals on party courses, so the feel of hot spring town onsens can be experienced even in Tokyo.
  • Choyce

    By heading from the Tokyo Tower to Daimon via Zojoji Temple, a scene of elegance and serenity suddenly giving way to the tumultuous hustle and bustle of the city unfolds before your eyes. There, you can see a scene straight from a Japanese TV drama as well as throngs of people as they move back and forth.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    By hopping on a water bus and heading to Odaiba in the evening, you can enjoy the beautiful sky at sunset, the bay scenery illuminated by city lights, and the Rainbow Bridge.

    Stepping inside, you suddenly find yourself in a town scene from the Edo Period, and you can't help being moved. Also, when you buy a ticket that includes a meal, you can enjoy delicious cooking while taking in the interior of the building at your own pace.

GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA

  • Choyce

    The large bathing area and bathtub was perfect for families. I recommend heading to the 30th floor as early as possible to eat breakfast.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    From the rooms it is possible to see Tokyo Bay in the distance, so you can enjoy the constantly changing Tokyo Bay to your heart’s content.

Day2

TOHOKU(MIYAGI)

8:40 Tokyo Stationmore

8:40 Tokyo Station
October 2012 saw completion of the preservation and renovation work on the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building. The red brick facade long loved as the symbol of Tokyo Station has made a comeback, along with the history and grandeur of the original building dating nearly a hundred years back. The occasion also saw the reopening of Tokyo Station Hotel and Tokyo Station Gallery. The former is the only hotel situated within an important cultural property of Japan. The interior is designed in a sophisticated, classical European style to blend with the splendor of the Marunouchi Building exterior.

JR Shinkansen Hayabusa7(JR EAST PASS)
Tokyo→Sendai

  • Choyce

    I was transported to the hub of fun and vibrant shopping and the great food of Sendai, less than two hours from Tokyo.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Boarding the Shinkansen train system, the pride of Japan, and departing Tokyo, you head to Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Many travelers use the Shinkansen bullet trains, which are not only punctual but also safe and comfortable. Travelers from overseas can buy a JR EAST PASS.

10:15 Sendai Stationmore

10:15 Sendai Station
Sendai Station is a central sightseeing location in Tohoku, and allows visitors to gain access to tourist attractions all throughout Tohoku. Yamadera, Matsushima, and Hiraizumi can all be reached within 1 hour by using JR train lines. Sendai Station has many souvenir shops selling Sendai specialties. The Gyutan-dori and Sushi-dori streets have a lineup of stores where you can eat beef tongue, a local specialty, and sushi. These shops have multilingual menus, making this a friendly spot for visitors from overseas. The zunda shakes served at the Zunda Saryo restaurant are a blend of special zunda green soy beans. It's an original shake with a fun bumpy texture that can't be found elsewhere. Be sure to give their delicious taste a try as they are freshly made at the shop.
  • Choyce

    Sendai Station offers a hands-free tourism service where your luggage is delivered right to the hotel so you can explore the city unencumbered.

    Any visit to Sendai Station would not be complete without a stop at the ever popular Zunda Saryo on the 1F, which sells a selection of Japanese sweets.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    After arriving at Sendai Station, stop first at the Takkyubin Center (Kuroneko S-PAL Plaza) on the first basement floor of the S-PAL department store inside the station. If you leave your luggage here in the morning, the center will deliver it to your place of accommodation by the evening of the same day. You can eat your fill of the edamame-flavored Japanese confectionary known as Zunda mochi. Zunda mochi are made by taking bean paste prepared by boiling and crushing edamame, and wrapping it in mochi rice cakes.

JR Senseki Line(JR EAST PASS)
Sendai→Hon-Shiogama
About 30 minutes

Sushitetsumore

Sushitetsu
There are tons of sushi restaurants in the Shiogama Area. The superb sushi here is made using high quality fish caught off the coast of Sanriku, which is one of the three greatest fishing zones in the world. The food pairs extraordinarily well with Japanese sake, too!
  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Then, if you board a train on the JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station and travel to Shiogama City, you’ll be able to eat sushi that uses fresh seafood locally caught on the Sanriku Coast.

Walk

Urakasumi Sake Brewerymore

Urakasumi Sake Brewery
At Saura, brewer of Urakasumi sake, which is representative of Miyagi and the Tohoku Region, visitors can tour the storehouse and sample sake. In the gallery shop (duty free store), they can purchase liquor, limited edition goods, and other products that catch their fancy.

Boat tour (Marubun Matsushima Kisen Co., Ltd.) / JR Senseki Line
Marine Gate Shiogama →Matsushima Kaigan Boat Pier
■ 50 minutes

Matsushima Islands Areamore

RECOMMENDED DESTINATIONS

Matsushima Islands Area
As a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, Matsushima Bay has charmed a great many people since long ago with its picturesque scenery. Places like Entsu-in Temple are illuminated, particularly in the autumn foliage season, to produce a wondrous atmosphere. The Kanrantei, where visitors can enjoy all-season matcha green tea, is also highly recommended! Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Date Masamune Historical Museum. Date Masamune helped build the foundations of Sendai, as well as the Yakigaki House, where visitors can have all-you-can-eat oysters, a Matsushima specialty, and even try oyster burgers. Before embarking on a sightseeing cruise through the islands, head to a high vantage point, such as at Saigyomodoshi no Matsu Park, to see the entire scope of the bay. It will add another level to your enjoyment of the cruise. At Entsu-in Temple, the Buddhist rosary-making workshop is popular.
  • Choyce

    The picturesque Matsushima Coast is truly deserving of its praise as one of the three most scenic places in Japan. It’s a great destination for food, fun, and a place to rejuvenate your spirit, thanks to its warm, hospitable people, delicious food, and convenient location only 30 minutes by car from Sendai. Although few in number, there are a few ryokan built with high-grade materials located throughout the Matsushima Coast. They have been remodeled and guests can take in the beautiful view (all rooms face the ocean) to their heart's content. I want to recommend the Komatsukan Kofutei ryokan to travelers from overseas when they visit the Matsushima Coast. It's a wonderful place where you can enjoy a creative Japanese-style traditional Kaiseki cuisine course made by a skilled chef, as well as have a good night's rest.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Taking a boat from the Shiogama sightseeing ferry terminal will take you to Matsushima Islands Area, one of Japan's three most scenic places. Even the world-renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho, praised it as having the best scenery in Japan". Long ago, when a hilly area sank into the sea, the tall hill tops poking out from the ocean's surface became the islands, with the rocks being slowly eroded over many months and years. The approximately 260 differently sized islands in Matsushima Bay create a unique scene that draws a large number of domestic and overseas tourists every year. The unique scenery of the islands can be observed up close from a boat.

    Located on an island, Entsuin Temple is the family temple of Date Mitsumune, the grandson of Date Masamune. Every autumn, the temple’s Japanese garden is beautifully lit up, enchanting people with the beauty of its fall colors.

Walk

Komatsukan Kofutei

  • Choyce

    You can choose your meal at the time of reservation. I left relaxed and fully satisfied with my delicious meal and time in the hot spring bath.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    The meals served at ryokan delight consumers’ palates by constantly presenting new dishes, not only by using local ingredients but also through partnerships with head chefs at renowned hotels in Tokyo and elsewhere.

Day3

  • Choyce

    Built by a feudal lord as a place to escape the summer heat and for moongazing, Kanrantei can't be missed.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Matsushima is connected to the islands in the vicinity by bridges of various sizes. There are three bridges in total: Togetsu-kyo Bridge connecting Matsushima and Oshima, Fukuura Island’s Fukuura-kyo Bridge, and Godaido Hall’s enmusubi bridge – crossing which is said to bring luck in love.

    On the coast that Matsushima forms the center of, oyster farming flourishes. At Matsushima’s morning market, you can enjoy freshly harvested oysters to your heart’s content. For 2,000 yen you can eat your fill of oysters cooked in their shells.
    *Prices are for travelers at the time of use.

Komatsukan Kofutei

JR Senseki Line(JR EAST PASS)
Matsushimakaigan→Nakanosakae
About 20 minutes

Free shuttle bus
Nakanosakae Station→Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
About 10 minutes

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Parkmore

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium/Mitsui Outlet Park
Opened in July 2015, this facility features one of Tohoku's largest aquariums as well as an outlet mall – one more great reason to visit cities in Tohoku. The aquarium features a zone where visitors can feel the bonds with the rest of the world through living things as they view large tanks showcasing the plentiful life of the Sea of Japan and nature, as well as river tanks. The aquarium also has some of the largest dolphin and seal performances in Tohoku. There is even a therapeutic area where visitors can interact with sea creatures. With all this and more, the aquarium offers a plethora of appealing attractions. At the outlet mall, the number of tax-free stores is increasing and visitors can have a pleasant shopping experience.
  • Choyce

    Newly opened in July 2015, it also offers spots where children can learn about new life.

    Located on the outskirts of Miyagi Prefecture between Sendai and Matsushima, it offers a vibrant shopping environment symbolized by the Port Flower Ferris wheel that stands at about 50 meters tall.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Boarding a train from Matsushima and alighting at Nakanosakae Station, a short work will take you to Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port, where you can enjoy shopping. You can also enjoy watching the dolphin show at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium, Tohoku’s largest aquarium.

Free shuttle bus
Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium→Nakanosakae Station
About 10 minutes

JR Senseki Line(JR EAST PASS)
Nakanosakae→Sendai
About 20 minutes

Downtown Sendai Citymore

Downtown Sendai City
The central downtown area of Sendai City, the largest city in Tohoku, boasts numerous shopping and dining establishments, so visitors can have fun as they eat, walk, and shop as they explore the city. In particular, Sendai's New Year's sales campaign starting on January 2 is a time of big competitive sales with eye-catching prices that only happens once a year. The number of tax-free stores, stores with multilingual menus, and free Wi-Fi hotspots are on the rise in shopping areas, so visitors can have a pleasant sightseeing experience.
  • Choyce

    The most interesting and memorable part of my trip to Sendai was the great prices at Sendai's morning market.Rausu Kombu, a brand of edible kelp that stands out among all other kelp brands, is one of my dream items!

Walk
5 minutes

Sendai Station

JR Shinkansen Hayabusa(JR EAST PASS)

Tokyo Station or other places

  • Choyce

    The discount tickets offered for the Tokyo + Tohoku package tour work great for foreign visitors. The draws of train travel include never having to worry about traffic or looking at a map and you can easily get around with your luggage. Train travel also lets you come into contact with the local culture as well. If you are traveling with your family, you can play a game with the kids to search for your destination, which provides a fun experience and added bonus of feeling a sense of achievement at the end.

  • Hwang Hsiao Chun

    Why not depart Tokyo and travel with a carefree spirit to experience the scenery, the delicious local cuisine and the human warmth that only Tohoku can offer?

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TRAVELERS

I give the food in Sendai very high marks, and the shopping was also great.

Choyce
Blogger
Reside in Taiwan
  • Hobby

    Photograph, Sport, Travelling

  • Number of visits to Japan

    80times

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TRAVELERS

Tokyo is the recommended starting point to reach various places throughout Japan.

Hwang Hsiao Chun
Journalist
Reside in Tokyo
Home country: Taiwan
  • Hobby

    Travelling, Adventure, Gourmet

  • Length of stay in Tokyo

    4 Years

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