Sendai/Akiu (Miyagi)
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6 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Sendai and Akiu to Enjoy Even on Rainy Days

The Sendai and Akiu area, home to numerous historical sites associated with Date Masamune, the lord of the Sendai Domain, as well as museums, observatories, and aquariums, offers plenty of sightseeing spots that you can fully enjoy even on rainy days. We will introduce recommended spots where you can spend a fulfilling time without worrying about the weather, whether by taking your time to explore indoor exhibits and experiences, or by enjoying gourmet food and souvenir shopping.

Features valuable materials including National Treasures and items registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World program

The Important Cultural Property "Black Lacquered Five-Plate Cuirass, Used by Date Masamune," which is impressive for its helmet with a thin crescent moon-shaped crest.
The Important Cultural Property "Black Lacquered Five-Plate Cuirass Armor used by Date Masamune," which features a striking crescent moon-shaped crest on the helmet.

This museum houses approximately 100,000 authentic historical materials, including items related to the history, culture, and arts and crafts of the Edo period, centered on materials donated by the Date family. The museum is composed of exhibition rooms with different themes, and the permanent exhibits are rotated seasonally.
It houses the National Treasure "Materials Related to the Keicho Mission to Europe," which is registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World, as well as Date Masamune's armor, which is an Important Cultural Property. Among these is the "Portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga," said to be the oldest existing oil painting in Japan depicting an actual Japanese person.

Extensive exhibits that highlight the inherent beauty of the materials

At the "Play Museum," you can also try on a replica of Date Masamune's helmet.
At the "Play Museum," you can also try on a replica of Date Masamune's helmet.

The museum also features excellent facilities such as display cases using high-transparency glass and LED lighting, allowing visitors to appreciate the colors and three-dimensionality of the materials more clearly. Furthermore, the exhibits are ingeniously designed, including a corner where you can touch actual materials and drawer cases that allow you to view the museum's largest collection item, the "Oshu Sendai Territory Map," up close.
The cafe "café mozart theo" on the second floor of the museum is a branch of the popular "Cafe Mozart" chain in Sendai. It is a relaxing space where you can enjoy lunch or sweets while gazing at the lush natural scenery.

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After undergoing large-scale renovation work spanning approximately two and a half years, it reopened in April 2024. The black-toned interior is reminiscent of Date Masamune's black lacquered armor, allowing you to feel the dignity of Lord Masamune and the historical atmosphere firsthand.

Sendai City Museum
  • Address26 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • AccessFrom Sendai Station on the Tozai Subway Line, take the train bound for Yagiyama Zoological Park and get off at Kokusai Center Station; about an 8-minute walk
  • Bus accessAbout 20 minutes by Loople Sendai loop bus from JR Sendai Station; get off at Hakubutsukan/Kokusai Center/Ryoku-saikan-mae and walk for about 3 minutes
  • Business hours9:00–16:45 (last admission 16:15)
  • ClosedMondays (open if it is a national holiday or observed holiday), the day after a national holiday or observed holiday (open if it is a Saturday, Sunday, national holiday, or the day after the second Monday in October), December 28–January 4
  • Admission FeeGeneral/University students 460 yen, High school students 230 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students 110 yen
  • TEL022-225-3074
  • ParkingFree

Experience the scale of the universe through comprehensive exhibits

An exhibition room where you can experience the vastness of the universe, from the nearby cosmos to the distant reaches of space.
An exhibition room where you can experience the vastness of the universe, from our local space to the far reaches of the cosmos.

An astronomical museum equipped with a planetarium and the largest telescope in the Tohoku region, where you can experience the wonders of space up close. As an indoor facility, you can enjoy an extraordinary world regardless of the season or weather.
In the exhibition hall, displays expand in scale from the Earth, the atmosphere, the solar system, and the galaxy to the vast universe, allowing you to experience the depth of space through models, CG images, and interactive exhibits. The "GEN-ri Plaza," where you can learn about five principles such as gravity and light through play, is full of mechanisms that you can enjoy while experiencing them firsthand.

Highlights include the largest telescope in the Tohoku region and a planetarium that recreates a beautiful starry sky.

The "Hitomi Telescope," a 1.3-meter aperture reflecting telescope, can observe stars as faint as 17th magnitude. © Sendai Astronomical Observatory
The "Hitomi Telescope," a 1.3-meter aperture reflecting telescope, can observe stars as faint as magnitude 17. ©Sendai Astronomical Observatory

The "Hitomi Telescope," which boasts being the largest in the Tohoku region, is also a highlight. Once on weekdays, and four times on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, we hold a "Hitomi Telescope Tour" where you can listen to explanations by staff while viewing the telescope up close.
The planetarium, which was renovated in 2023, has introduced the latest optical projector, allowing it to project approximately 100 million stars and reproduce star colors that are as close to the real thing as possible. Because it realistically depicts the gradation of the sky, the surfaces of planets, and the movement of clouds, you can enjoy an immersive experience as if you were floating in space.

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Inside the facility, there is a rest area equipped with tables and chairs where you can have light snacks. Also, be sure to check out the museum shop, which sells items such as original Sendai Astronomical Observatory sweets.

©Sendai Astronomical Observatory
©Sendai Astronomical Observatory
Sendai Astronomical Observatory
  • Address9-29-32 Nishiki-ga-oka, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 30 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
  • Bus accessTake the Takeya Kotsu "Akiu/Kawasaki Sendai Seibu Liner" from JR Sendai Station and get off at "Sendai Astronomical Observatory," then walk a short distance.
  • Business hours9:00–17:00, Saturdays 9:00–21:30 *Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing (exhibition rooms close at 17:00).
  • ClosedWednesdays and the 3rd Tuesday (open if a public holiday, closed the following weekday), year-end and New Year holidays (December 29–January 3) *Open during school long-term breaks.
  • Admission FeeExhibition room: Adults 610 yen, high school students 350 yen, elementary/junior high students 250 yen
    Planetarium: Adults 610 yen, high school students 350 yen, elementary/junior high students 250 yen
    Set ticket (exhibition room + 1 planetarium show): Adults 1,000 yen, high school students 610 yen, elementary/junior high students 400 yen
  • TEL022-391-1300
  • ParkingFree (125 spaces)

Experience the world of whisky with a guided explanation.

A distillation pot wrapped in a shimenawa rope. In the guided tour, you can learn about whisky production as well as trivia unique to the distillery.
A distillation pot wrapped in a shimenawa rope. In addition to explanations of whisky production, the guided tour offers trivia unique to the distillery.

Established in 1969, it carries on the vision of founder Masataka Taketsuru, who sought to create "a whisky with a deeper, richer flavor, different from that of Yoichi, Hokkaido." The distillery produces malt whisky characterized by a fruity aroma and mellow-tasting grain whisky. For the production of grain whisky, it uses the "Coffey continuous still," which is rare worldwide; however, it intentionally employs an older type, prioritizing the retention of the raw ingredients' flavors over distillation efficiency. You can feel Taketsuru's strong commitment to authentic quality.

Two tour areas, one requiring reservations and one that does not, where you can also enjoy the scenery of the buildings.

At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a free tasting of three types: Apple Wine, Super Nikka, and Single Malt Miyagikyo.
At the end of the tour, you can enjoy free tastings of three types: Apple Wine, Super Nikka, and Single Malt Miyagikyo.

You can tour the premises, which are lined with brick-style buildings. The site is divided into two areas: one that does not require a reservation and one that does.
The area that does not require a reservation features an exhibition space introducing the history of the distillery and the whisky production process, as well as a shop selling limited-edition whisky and original merchandise. There is also a paid tasting bar. In the area that requires a reservation, free guided tours are available (reservation required). You can learn about the production process through staff explanations while viewing the manufacturing facilities. After the tour, there is a tasting experience, allowing you to experience both the production and the flavor.

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By tracing the history of whisky, you can gain a deeper understanding of Masataka Taketsuru's character and the passion he poured into whisky making. For those who wish to learn more, we also recommend the small-group paid seminars (held only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).

Nikka Whisky Sendai Miyagikyo Distillery
  • Address1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 40 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
  • Bus accessFree shuttle bus available from JR Sakunami Station (operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
    Approx. 60 minutes by Sendai City Bus bound for "Sakunami Onsen Motoyu" from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Nikka-bashi" and walk for approx. 15 minutes
  • Business hoursVisitor Center 9:00–16:00
    Paid Tasting Bar 9:15–16:15 (L.O. 16:00)
    Gift Shop 9:15–16:15 (Last admission 16:00)
  • ClosedDecember 23–January 7, August 20–21
  • Admission FeeFree *Guided tour participation is also free, but advance reservation is required
  • TEL022-395-2865
  • ParkingFree

A museum where you can feel the romance of the history of the Earth and humanity.

An underground exhibition room that preserves and displays the site excavated from the Tomizawa ruins, dating back approximately 20,000 years.
An underground exhibition room that preserves and displays the site excavated from the Tomizawa ruins, dating back approximately 20,000 years.

A museum with exhibits focusing on the Paleolithic period. A highlight is the underground exhibition room where you can see both the remains of a campfire and a forest left by people from the Paleolithic period about 20,000 years ago together. The campfire remains offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of that time, and the spread of the trees allows you to imagine the natural environment of the Ice Age, making it a space that tickles your intellectual curiosity. Furthermore, a video recreating the lives of the people of that time is screened every 10 minutes. Combined with the ruins before your eyes, you can imagine the appearance of that era more vividly.

Delve deeper into the ruins through exhibits and panel explanations.

Exhibition space on the first floor (ground level).
Exhibition space on the first floor (ground level).

The museum is designed so that you first observe the ruins in the underground exhibition room before moving up to the ground floor to learn more detailed information. Through exhibits and explanatory panels, the overview of the Tomizawa Site, the lives of people in the Paleolithic period, and the characteristics of the excavated items are carefully introduced. A wide range of themes that are still relevant today, such as archaeology, environmental history, and climate change, are covered, which will tickle your intellectual curiosity.
In addition, special exhibitions and hands-on programs are held regularly, so there are new discoveries to be made no matter how many times you visit.

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On sunny days, we also recommend taking a stroll through the outdoor exhibit, the "Ice Age Forest." It recreates the environment of the Paleolithic era, when the average annual temperature was 7 to 8°C lower than it is today, and is planted with trees and flowers similar to extinct species. Please enjoy a moment surrounded by the nature of that time.

Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum (Chiteinomori Museum)
  • Address4-3-1 Nagamachi-minami, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 14 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
    Approx. 5 minutes walk from Nagamachi-minami Subway Station
  • Business hours9:00–16:45 (Admission until 16:15)
  • ClosedMondays (open if it falls on a holiday), the day following a holiday (open if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday)
    4th Thursday of each month from January to November (open if it falls on a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays (December 28–January 4)
  • Admission FeeGeneral/University students 460 yen, High school students 230 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students 110 yen *Cash only
  • TEL022-246-9153
  • ParkingFree

An indoor public market offering seasonal ingredients shipped directly from the source.

Enjoying conversation with shop staff while shopping is a unique feature of the market. In the evening, items like sushi and sashimi are sometimes marked down by half price.
Enjoying conversation with shop staff while shopping is a unique market experience. In the evening, items like sushi and sashimi are sometimes marked down by half price.

Located near the Sendai Central Wholesale Market, this off-site public market is bustling with locals. The vast 700-tsubo floor features a total of 24 shops, ranging from various specialty stores selling fresh fish and meat—primarily from the Tohoku region—as well as seasonal vegetables, fruits, and local products, to restaurants using local ingredients. Its bright and lively atmosphere feels like a modern indoor market.
It is also recommended for souvenir shopping, as there are shops selling local Sendai specialties like kamaboko (fish cake) and specialty stores offering fine local sake from Tohoku.

There is also a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy Sendai gourmet food and street food.

In addition to the eat-in spaces for each restaurant, there is also a "rest area" inside the building that anyone can use.
In addition to eat-in spaces for each restaurant, there is also a "rest area" inside the building that anyone can use.

Inside the building, you can easily enjoy Sendai gourmet food at places like a standing sushi bar with fresh toppings or a restaurant serving a luxurious "sea urchin bowl" topped with raw sea urchin. There is also a wide variety of street food, such as deep-fried minced meat cutlets from a butcher shop and cream puffs made by a specialty egg shop in Miyagi. Since there is a rest area where you can bring and eat what you have purchased, it is the perfect place to stop by when you are feeling a little hungry.
Additionally, every Sunday, the tuna specialty store "Wataken" holds a tuna dismantling show.

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A completely indoor market that you can visit regardless of the weather. While enjoying seafood at the fishing port is a unique pleasure of the market, it is also fun to visit to look for various products, such as side dishes to take back to your hotel or Sendai specialties that are perfect as souvenirs.

Sendai Jogai Ichiba Mori no Ichiba
  • Address5-2-6 Oroshimachi, Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai City MAP
  • AccessApprox. 13 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
    Approx. 15 minutes on foot from Oroshimachi Subway Station
  • Business hours9:00–19:00
    Restaurants 11:00–17:00 *Varies by store
  • ClosedNew Year's Day only
  • TEL022-762-5701
  • ParkingFree

One of the largest aquariums in the Tohoku region, where you can learn about marine life from Japan and abroad.

A large tank displaying approximately 30,000 creatures of about 50 species, including Japanese pilchard, roughtail stingray, and red stingray.
A large tank displaying approximately 30,000 creatures of about 50 species, including Japanese sardines, whiprays, and red stingrays.

An aquarium where you can enjoy learning about the characteristics of the sea in each region through exhibition zones such as "The Seas of Japan - The Seas of Tohoku" and "The Seas of the World." Through the exhibition of approximately 50,000 creatures of 300 different species from Japan and abroad, you can rediscover the charm of the ocean. In the large tank that recreates the sea of the Sanriku area, you can observe the natural behavior of creatures swimming freely as sunlight streams in, and a show featuring a large school of Japanese sardines is held daily. Entertainment-filled programs, such as penguin interaction events, are also a highlight.

Enjoy encounters with a wide variety of living creatures.

The Chilean dolphin is a rare small dolphin that inhabits the Southern Hemisphere. Its black and white appearance is striking.
The Chilean dolphin is a rare small dolphin that inhabits the Southern Hemisphere. Its black and white appearance is striking.

Another highlight is the chance to encounter rare creatures, such as the Chilean dolphin, which is kept in only two aquariums in Japan. The "Hirose River: Source of the Sea, Mountains, Villages, and Rivers" zone exhibits frogs, snakes, and other animals that live in and around the Hirose River, which flows through Sendai. The "Little Squirrel Kingdom," where you can observe the adorable Japanese squirrels up close, is also popular.
The facility also features a food court where you can enjoy menus using local ingredients, including seafood from the Sanriku coast.

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If you purchase an advance "Web Admission Ticket," you can enter smoothly without waiting in line at the ticket counter.

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
  • Address4-6 Nakano, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 15-minute walk from JR Nakanosakae Station
    Approx. 25-minute drive from JR Sendai Station
  • Bus accessApprox. 7 minutes by Miyako Bus "Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium Line" from JR Nakanosakae Station
  • Business hours9:00–17:30 (Last admission at 17:00) *Business hours vary by season
  • ClosedAdults 2,400 yen, Junior/Senior High School Students 1,700 yen, Elementary School Students 1,200 yen, Children (4 years and older) 700 yen, Seniors (65 and older) 1,800 yen, Under 4 years old free
  • Admission FeeOpen every day
  • TEL022-355-2222
  • ParkingFree
  • NotesExhibition status may vary depending on the time of year.

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Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
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