10 Tourist Spots and 6 Hidden Gems to Visit in Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture is a charming prefecture in the Tohoku region where natural beauty and historical depth harmoniously coexist. Scattered throughout the area are must-visit famous spots including Matsushima, one of the Three Views of Japan, and castles and mausoleums associated with the Sengoku period warrior Date Masamune. There are also many gorges, waterfalls, and flower spots that change their scenery with the four seasons, making them popular with travelers seeking Instagram-worthy photos.

This article carefully introduces information you should know before visiting, from famous tourist destinations in Miyagi Prefecture to lesser-known “hidden gems” and local gourmet cuisine.

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Miyagi Prefecture is dotted with numerous attractive tourist destinations where nature and history interweave, including Matsushima, one of the Three Views of Japan. Many spots are easily accessible from Sendai city, allowing first-time visitors to tour efficiently.

Here we introduce popular tourist spots that represent Miyagi.

Matsushima, a scenic spot representing Miyagi Prefecture, is one of the Three Views of Japan and an absolute must-see destination.Over 260 islands, large and small, float in Matsushima Bay, and their mystical landscape has captivated many poets and travelers since ancient times. Most famously, the haiku poet Matsuo Basho praised its beauty in “Oku no Hosomichi.”

Sightseeing cruise boats touring the bay offer close-up views of uniquely shaped islands such as Niojima, Kanejima, and Senganshima. Historical spots associated with Date Masamune like Zuiganji Temple and Godaido are also scattered throughout, making Matsushima a premier tourist destination in Miyagi where culture and nature can be enjoyed simultaneously.

Sendai Castle Ruins is the center of the Sendai Domain built by Date Masamune in 1601, now maintained as Aoba Hill Park. Built on a natural fortress at an elevation of 130m, this castle deliberately had no main keep and was a mountain castle that utilized the Hirose River and cliffs for defense.

Today, the stone walls and the statue of Lord Masamune on horseback overlooking the city are the main attractions.At the museum exhibition hall, visitors can enjoy restored CG of the castle and exhibits related to the Date family. There are also post-sunset illumination and literary monuments with music, making it a spot where visitors can experience the fusion of history and modernity.

Zuihoden is a magnificent mausoleum architecture built as the mausoleum of Date Masamune, the first lord of Sendai Domain.Its gorgeous construction, which strongly retains the design of Momoyama culture, was once designated as a national treasure but was destroyed in the war. The current building was reconstructed in 1979.

Within the grounds are Kansenden, which enshrines the second domain lord Tadamune, Zenoden for the third lord Tsunamune, and a museum displaying valuable excavated artifacts.It is a solemn spot where beautiful nature and historical architecture harmonize throughout the four seasons, fitting for contemplating the great achievements of Lord Masamune.

Akiu Great Falls is one of Sendai’s premier waterfalls, boasting a width of 6m and a drop of 55m, designated as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls” and a national scenic spot.The powerful straight waterfall creates thunderous roar and water spray that overwhelms visitors.

Known as a famous autumn foliage spot, in fall the vibrant colors of maple and oak trees embrace the waterfall, creating exceptional scenic beauty. Visitors can walk down the walking path to approach the waterfall basin and feel its power up close. The adjacent Akiu Great Falls Fudo Temple and botanical garden are also worth visiting.

Naruko Gorge is a magnificent 2.6km-long canyon in Naruko Onsen area, designated as a scenic spot of Miyagi Prefecture with abundant natural beauty.Carved by the Otani River, the continuous precipitous cliffs create a spectacular contrast of colors in autumn when trees turn red and yellow against white rock faces.

The autumn foliage from mid-October to early November is particularly stunning, attracting many tourists each year. Around Naruko Gorge Rest House, observation decks and walking paths are maintained, allowing visitors to enjoy the gorge scenery up close.

Kyokama, Oreishi, and Hanzo are spectacular scenic spots representing the Sanriku Coast, where visitors can fully enjoy the rugged coastal beauty of the Karakuwa Peninsula in Kesennuma City.

Kyokama is named because the waves breaking appear like water boiling in a large cauldron, with Hachiman Rock offshore appearing like a lid. “Oreishi” in particular presents an overwhelming sight of a 16m-tall marble pillar rising from the sea toward the sky, named after its tip was broken by the Great Meiji Tsunami.

Hanzo, on the other hand, is a scenic spot with a series of strange rocks, equipped with walking paths along the coastline and a rest house for leisurely scenic walks. It’s the perfect place to experience the dynamic nature of the ria coastline.

Yakurai Garden is a vast garden covering 150,000 square meters at the foot of Mount Yakurai, where seasonal flowers captivate visitors.The garden is divided into eight themed gardens including the Rose Garden, Herb Garden, and the popular “Fururu Hill,” with canola flowers in spring, sunflowers in summer, and cockscomb and cosmos in autumn, offering different expressions with each visit.

It’s a healing spot where visitors can leisurely feel nature while enjoying photogenic scenery.

The Ishinomori Manga Museum is a manga museum introducing the achievements of Shotaro Ishinomori, known as the creator of “Kamen Rider” and “Cyborg 009.”Opened in 2001 on Nakase in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, it features valuable original artwork exhibitions, attractions where visitors can experience the world of his works, and original anime screenings, with content that can be enjoyed by all generations.

The building itself has a futuristic design and is beloved as a landmark of Ishinomaki. It’s a spot where children and adults alike can fully enjoy the Ishinomori World.

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium is one of Tohoku’s premier large-scale aquariums located near Sendai Port.With the theme “Life Sparkling Sea,” it offers diverse exhibits including a large tank recreating the Sanriku Sea and a world ocean zone displaying rare creatures. With abundant hands-on content such as penguin feeding and behind-the-scenes tours, it’s highly recommended for families.

The Michinoku Date Masamune Historical Museum is a history museum that recreates the turbulent life of the Sengoku period’s famous general Date Masamune through 25 famous scenes using over 200 life-sized wax figures.The dramatic scene presentations, including the equestrian figure of Lord Masamune, are powerfully impressive and enjoyable even for those not well-versed in history.

The museum also displays wax figures of 45 great figures from Tohoku including Kenji Miyazawa, Hideyo Noguchi, Shiko Munakata, and Osamu Dazai, allowing visitors to learn about regional history and culture.

Miyagi Prefecture has not only famous tourist destinations like Matsushima and Sendai Castle Ruins, but also many attractive “hidden gems” that are still relatively unknown.

From spots where you can enjoy nature and animals, to little-known scenic views and historic hot spring areas, each place is unique and memorable. After touring the standard tourist destinations, why not extend your journey a little to discover new charms of Miyagi you never knew existed?

Miyagi Zao Fox Village is a rare fox-specialized zoo in Japan where about 100 foxes live freely.Located in this facility surrounded by the nature-rich forests of South Zao, visitors can observe various types of foxes up close, including Arctic foxes, silver foxes, and white foxes. In spring, there are even fox cub holding experiences, making it an irresistible healing space for fox lovers.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy interactions with ponies, goats, and rabbits, making it popular with families.It’s a valuable spot for learning about fox ecology while considering animal coexistence.

“Sunflower Hill” in Sanbongi, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture is a spectacular spot where 420,000 sunflowers bloom across approximately 6 hectares of gentle slopes.Illuminated by the midsummer sun, the sunflowers stretching straight toward the blue sky paint the entire hill in vibrant yellow.

The “Sunflower Festival” is held annually from late July to mid-August, featuring sales of specialty products like sunflower ice cream and sweets, attracting many tourists. In spring, about 2 million canola flowers also bloom, offering different seasonal scenery at this nature spot perfect for Instagram photos.

The Chiteino-Mori Museum is a rare “in-situ preservation museum” in Japan that preserves and displays Paleolithic period remains from about 20,000 years ago discovered at the Tomizawa Site in Sendai City.Descending the stairs reveals Paleolithic stratum, fire sites, and fallen trees preserved in their original state, realistically recreating human life and natural environment from 20,000 years ago.

The museum also features stratum cross-sections and excavated materials, plus an outdoor exhibit called “Ice Age Forest” that recreates the vegetation of that time.

Whale Town Oshika is a tourism exchange base at the tip of the Oshika Peninsula in Ishinomaki City, a complex facility where visitors can enjoy nature, food, and history with all five senses.

Located in Ayukawa Beach, rich with ocean bounty, the facility houses three establishments: “Oshika Peninsula Tourism and Product Exchange Facility cottu,” showcasing Oshika Peninsula specialties; “Oshika Peninsula Visitor Center,” where visitors can learn about nature and human coexistence; and “Oshika Whale Land,” where visitors can enjoyably learn about whaling history and whale ecology.

It also serves as a departure point for remote islands, functioning as a travel gateway. In the relaxed atmosphere overlooking the sea, it’s a spot where visitors can deeply experience Oshika’s culture and charm.

Sakunami Onsen is a famous hot spring beloved as “Sendai’s inner parlor” with good access of about 40 minutes by car from central Sendai City, yet surrounded by rich nature and historical atmosphere. The hot spring’s opening dates to 1796, with discovery legends involving Gyoki and Minamoto no Yoritomo, giving it deep historical significance.

Known as “beauty-making hot springs” for its gentle spring quality, visitors can enjoy hot spring hopping at various accommodations with different styles of outdoor baths, rock baths, and standing baths. In this place beloved by renowned cultural figures, visitors can spend relaxing time while being healed by the gorge beauty and hot springs.

Okama is a circular crater lake surrounded by Karida-dake, Kumano-dake, and Goshiki-dake of the Zao mountain range, representing Zao’s most spectacular scenic spot. True to its name as a crater lake, it has a cauldron shape, and the lake surface changes to various colors including emerald green and blue depending on weather and light conditions, earning it the nickname “Goshiki Pond.”

It can be viewed annually from late April to early November, with the spectacular view accessible via a 3-minute walk from the observation deck.

Miyagi Prefecture, surrounded by rich seas and mountains, has given birth to numerous delicious local gourmet dishes. From Sendai’s representative beef tongue grilling and zunda mochi with its simple sweetness, to autumn-only harako rice, there are many dishes packed with local ingredients and history. Let’s fully savor Miyagi’s climate and culture through “food,” one of travel’s great pleasures.

“Zunda mochi,” characterized by its vivid green color and gentle sweetness, is a traditional Sendai sweet made by coating mochi with “zunda” made from ground edamame.Once a regional dish for the Obon season, it has now become a year-round staple sweet.

Recently, there are abundant arrangement menus like zunda daifuku and shakes, making it very popular as souvenirs. It’s a healthy and visually delightful Miyagi flavor.

“Beef tongue grilling,” originating in Sendai, is now a Miyagi specialty dish that has spread nationwide.Despite being thick-cut, it’s surprisingly tender, and the carefully aged beef tongue overflows with umami with each bite.

The standard is the “beef tongue set meal” that comes with barley rice, tail soup, and pickles. Sendai City has many specialty restaurants, each competing with their own unique seasonings and grilling methods. This taste, beloved not only by tourists but also by locals, is truly Sendai’s pride.

Shiogama Port is known as one of Japan’s leading fresh tuna fishing ports.“Sanriku Shiogama Higashimono” is a brand name given to the highest quality bluefin tuna caught from September to December, meeting strict standards for freshness, fat content, and color. Its rich flavor that melts on the tongue is exceptional, and it’s served at local sushi restaurants and eateries. Please enjoy this “treasure of the sea” representing Miyagi at its source.

“Harako rice” is a local dish originating from Watari-cho, Miyagi Prefecture, consisting of rice cooked in autumn salmon broth topped generously with boiled salmon and soy sauce-marinated salmon roe (harako).Locals take such pride in their taste that they say “our family’s flavor is the best,” and it’s beloved as an autumn delicacy.

With a history of being presented to Date Masamune, it’s now served competitively by many restaurants as an autumn tradition, so if you visit Miyagi in autumn, be sure to try it.

Miyagi Prefecture offers numerous spots packed with travel pleasures including history, nature, and local gourmet cuisine. In addition to famous tourist destinations like Matsushima and Sendai Castle Ruins, extending your journey just a little will lead you to new attractions like Miyagi Zao Fox Village where you can interact with foxes, and Yakurai Garden colored by seasonal flowers. Please use this article as a reference to fully enjoy your original Miyagi journey.

*This article is based on information available as of June 2025.