Marvellous Miyagi: A sightseeing & gourmet adventure!
Miyagi (宮城県 Miyagi-ken) is one of the six prefectures that make up the Tohoku Region (東北地方 Tōhoku-chihō), and is one of the most loved prefectures among tourists in the region. Home to the city of Sendai (仙台市)—the largest city in the Tohoku Region—the prefecture has something for all kinds of travellers, whether it’s those seeking scenic sightseeing spots or those seeking delicious cuisines.
Visitors who travel to the Tohoku Region by rail often pass through Miyagi via JR Sendai Station (JR仙台駅 Sendai-eki), a major junction railway station in the region that is also one of the main stops for the Tohoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線) and Akita Shinkansen (秋田新幹線). But Miyagi alone is also full of sightseeing and delectable surprises that visitors can simply spend their whole time within the prefecture, and for this article, we will explore some of them in more detail.
Cities visited by Jak and Emmie in Miyagi during their trip. (Image credit: Google Maps)
And guess who just got the opportunity to explore the wonders of Miyagi? It’s none other than our favourite couple: Jak and Emmie! Just fresh off from their recent railway trip to the Izu Peninsula, they were now on yet another exciting railway trip again, this time to Miyagi. This time, they were on the hunt for interesting sightseeing spots and delicious foods, which they knew all too well should be highlighted for any trip.
So hold on tight, as we join them for another railway adventure. On your marks, get set, go!
Day 1
Places in Sendai visited by Jak and Emmie on Day 1. (Image credit: Google Maps)
For the first day of their trip, Jak and Emmie made their way to Sendai. For the first destination in their itinerary, the duo was headed to a special kind of park filled with fruity goodness.
① Fruity fantasy at JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA
JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Located on the eastern side of Sendai is the JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA (JRフルーツパーク仙台あらはま). Here, eight types of fruits and up to 156 different variants are cultivated across the field that stretches more than eight hectares. Jak and Emmie paid a visit here to enjoy some of the park’s fruity offerings, but most importantly, they were looking forward to taking part in a 30-minute all-you-can-eat strawberry picking experience!
Fruit calendar for 2022. (Image credit: JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA)
Apples, grapes, and pears grown at the park. (Image credit: JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA)
Jak and Emmie were delighted to learn that they got to enjoy not one but four different types of strawberries: Nikoniko Berry (ニコニコベリー), Mōikko (もういっこ), Koi Minori (恋みのり), and Amaekubo (あまえくぼ). Each has its unique background and balance of sweetness and tartness, and the duo was able to pick and taste these beautifully grown strawberries on the spot. Extremely red and irresistibly plump, these were some of the juiciest and sweetest strawberries that Jak and Emmie had ever tasted, and they had their generous share during their half-hour time limit.
Jak and Emmie picking their strawberries. (Image credit: Japanmase)
After picking strawberries, Jak and Emmie visited the nearby Fruit Station that houses Les Pommes, a café and restaurant that offers delectable dishes and desserts made with seasonal ingredients and produced by chefs from Hotel Metropolitan Sendai; Arahama Marche, which features fruits and vegetables from the park and local farmers in the district; and Arahama Kitchen, where visitors get to witness how seasonal fruits and vegetables are prepared.
Les Pommes (left) and its signature curry (right). (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie had heard how they shouldn’t miss Les Pommes’s signature curry, and they had no regrets trying it for lunch. Flavourful and aesthetically eye-catching, the dish was something they would highly recommend to all visitors to the park.
Arahama Marche, and some of the products on sale. (Image credit: Japanmase)
They also visited Arahama Marche, which was filled with a wide range of interesting local goods and products that visitors can get as souvenirs, so check this place out if you are visiting the park.
JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA (JRフルーツパーク仙台あらはま)
Address: 17-1-2, Arahamashin, Wakabayashi, Sendai, Miyagi 984-0034
Access: From Sendai Subway Arai Station (荒井駅), take the Sendai City bus from the No. 2 stop and get off at Shinsai-ikō Sendai Shiritsu Arahamashōgakkō-mae (震災遺構仙台市立荒浜小学校前). The park is a 5-minute walk from the stop.
Operating hours:
11am–5pm (Les Pommes)
10am–4pm (Arahama Marche)
Tel: +81-22-390-0770
Strawberry picking experience at JR Fruits Park Sendai ARAHAMA
Operating period: 5 January–19 June 2022 (closed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
Operating time / activity duration: 10am–4pm, 30 minutes
Admission rates:
5 January–15 March: ¥2,200 per adult
16 March–10 May: ¥1,800 per adult
11 May–19 June: ¥1,600 per adult
Tel (for reservations): +81-22-290-0766
*Reservation is required for strawberry-picking, and all reservations must be made at least 1 day in advance, before 4pm.
② Remarkable sights of Sendai Castle Ruins
Sendai Castle Ruins. (Image credit: Japanmase)
For their next sightseeing spot, Jak and Emmie headed towards central Sendai and paid a visit to one of the most popular sightseeing spots in the city: the Sendai Castle Ruins (仙台城跡 Sendai-jōato). Jak and Emmie came here to enjoy the park’s iconic breathtaking view of Sendai’s city skyline and the historical remains of the former castle. And of course, when at this park, visitors must have a look at the imposing statue of Date Masamune (伊達政宗), the founder of Sendai, overlooking the city.
Gokoku Shrine (left) and Aoba Castle Site & Museum (right). (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie found the park to be very pleasant to walk around and got to enjoy some serenity away from Sendai’s bustling city centre. What’s more, they also discovered the Gokoku Shrine (護國神社 Gokoku-jinja), a Shinto shrine built in honour of Japan’s military past, and Aoba Castle Site & Museum (青葉城本丸会館 Aoba-jō Honmaru Kaikan).
Sendai Castle is also popularly known as Aoba Castle (青葉城 Aoba-jō), and visitors at this museum can join a virtual tour of the castle remains’ restoration explained with the help of computer graphics interface (CGI), and enjoy some of Sendai’s delicacies at the Aobajo Food Court too.
Aoba Castle Museum (青葉城本丸会館)
Address: 1 Kawauchi, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862
Access: Take the Loople Sendai bus from JR Sendai Station (JR仙台駅)’s West Exit bus no. 16, get off at the "Site of Sendai Castle" (仙台城跡) bus stop (#6). The museum is a 2-minute walk from the bus stop.
Operating hours: 9am–4pm
Admission rates: ¥700 per adult
Tel: +81-22-390-0770
③ Date Masamune’s final resting place
Zuihōden. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie gazed at the imposing statue of Date Masamune at the ruins of Sendai Castle, and next they went to the place where he was laid to rest for eternity: Zuihōden (瑞鳳殿). The mausoleum is where the famous feudal lord is entombed, and Jak and Emmie felt that learning Sendai’s history would not be complete without a visit here.
Admission tickets (left), and admiring the mausoleum’s architecture. (Image credit: Japanmase)
The duo was amazed at the mausoleum’s brilliant architecture that featured a variety of vivid contrasting colours and intricate woodwork. The architectural style is from the Azuchi–Momoyama Period (1568–1600), similar to that of Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, and visitors can admire the ornate designs as well as the surrounding cedar trees, which gives the mausoleum a very picturesque landscape.
Zuihōden’s cedar trees. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Like their time at the Sendai Castle ruins, Jak and Emmie also thoroughly enjoyed their time at the mausoleum because of its sheer serenity. It is a great spot for visitors who also appreciate Sendai’s rich history and culture, and the duo was glad to have this as the final sightseeing destination for their first day.
Zuihōden (瑞鳳殿)
Address: 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0814
Access: Take the Loople Sendai bus from JR Sendai Station (JR仙台駅)’s West Exit bus no. 16, get off at the Zuihōden-mae (瑞鳳殿前) bus stop. It is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
*Operating hours:
1 February–30 November: 9am–4:50pm (last admission at 4:30pm)
1 December–31 January: 9am–4:20pm (last admission at 4pm)
*Closed on 31 December
Admission rates: ¥570 per adult
Tel: +81-22-262-6250
④ Sensational supper: Sushi!
Sushi-dōri at JR Sendai Station’s third floor. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Do you love sushi? I certainly do, and so do Jak and Emmie! One of the must-haves while in Miyagi Prefecture is the seafood, as the prefecture is located along the Sanriku Coast (三陸海岸), where the freshest seafood can be caught and enjoyed. Thus, sushi is one of the best delicacies to enjoy in Miyagi, and a great place to enjoy it is located right inside JR Sendai Station.
Go up to the third floor of JR Sendai Station, and visitors will find three food “avenues” that specialise in local food specialties, one of which is sushi. Sushi-dōri (寿司通り) was where Jak and Emmie headed for their supper, and they were spoiled for choice at all the many restaurants that they could choose from at the avenue.
Sushi galore. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Having supper at Sushi-dōri proved to be a wise decision, as Jak and Emmie feasted on scrumptious sushi made with locally caught seafood ingredients. Ranging from ebi (えび shrimp) and maguro (マグロ tuna)—including chūtoro (中トロ medium-fatty tuna) and ōtoro (大トロ fatty tuna belly)—to ikura (いくら salmon roe) and uni (ウニ sea urchin), they enjoyed some of the best sushi they had in a while.
If you have a craving for sushi, make sure you pay a visit to this sushi avenue and eat to your heart’s content. Jak and Emmie’s tip? Get a sushi platter so that you can enjoy different kinds of sushi in one seating.
Day 2
Places in Sendai visited by Jak and Emmie on Day 2. (Image credit: Google Maps)
It was the start of Day 2, and Jak and Emmie were raring to go on exploring more sightseeing spots and making gourmet discoveries in Miyagi. Their accommodation for the first night was located in the heart of Sendai, so for the first sightseeing spot of the day, they thought of visiting the local morning market.
⑤ Rise and shine and Sendai Morning Market
Sendai Morning Market. (Image credit: Japanmase)
The Sendai Morning Market (仙台朝市 Sendai Asa-ichi) is the place to be if you would like to check out the freshest seafood and agricultural produce on sale first thing in the morning. Located just a short walk away from JR Sendai Station, the morning market was the first place that Jak and Emmie explored for the second day of their trip, and they were delighted to see lively shopkeepers selling their products with enthusiasm.
Seafood and agricultural produce at the Sendai Morning Market. (Image credit: Japanmase)
They got to see all the produce sold at affordable prices, and they highly recommend this place, especially for breakfast, to all visitors to Sendai. Needless to say, it was a great way for them to start the day before they were off to their next destination.
⑥ Spectacular view from Saigyo no Modoshi Matsu Park
Panoramic view of Matsushima Bay. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Do you know that the Miyagi Prefecture is home to one of Japan’s Three Great Views (日本三景 Nihon-sankei)? Less than an hour’s train ride away from Sendai is the Matsushima Bay (松島湾 Matsushima-wan), where visitors can see up to 260 islets that are covered with pine trees. The panoramic view of the scenic bay is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan, and Jak and Emmie were really looking forward to having a glimpse of it during their trip.
Saigyo no Modoshi Matsu Park. (Image credit: Japanmase)
One of the best places to have a panoramic view of the bay is from Saigyo no Modoshi Matsu Park (西行戻しの松公園 Saigyо̄ Modoshi no Matsu Kо̄en). When Jak and Emmie arrived here, they were stunned by the magnificent view of the bay before them, and took their time to relish every minute of being there. The beauty of Matsushima Bay can be admired much more when seen from a spot with a higher altitude, and the park is the perfect place to view it.
View of Matsushima from the park during spring. (Image credit: 東北観光推進機構)
They also learned that the park is highly popular among visitors during spring, when cherry blossoms will bloom beautifully and make the surrounding scenery look visually stunning. If you are visiting Miyagi in spring, make sure to include this place in your itinerary!
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park (西行戻しの松公園)
Address: 2 Inuta, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi 981-0213
Access: 25-minute walk from JR Matsushimakaigan Station (JR松島海岸駅)
Cafe le Roman. (Image credit: Japanmase)
After admiring the beautiful scenery, Jak and Emmie then decided to check out a chic café nearby. Named Cafe le Roman, the establishment is a place where visitors to the park can not only relax, but also have a clear view of Matsushima Bay thanks to the café’s unique glass architectural design.
The duo felt that it was a heavenly experience to be able to enjoy the view over a cup of coffee. Wouldn’t you like to have such an experience yourself? A tip from Jak and Emmie: get the lemon tart; it’s divine.
Cafe le Roman (カフェルロマン)
Address: 10-174 Inuta, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi 981-0213
Access: 25-minute walk from JR Matsushimakaigan Station (松島海岸駅)
⑦ Godaidō’s grand scenery
The bridge to Godaidō. (Image credit: Japanmase)
After taking a break at Cafe le Roman, Jak and Emmie went to have a closer look at Matsushima Bay by exploring some of its islets. Visitors can make their way on foot to three of them that are connected to the mainland by bright-red bridges. Jak and Emmie decided to visit their first one which features a quaint temple and a grand view of the bay.
Exploring Godaidō and its surrounding area. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Godaidō (五大堂) is a small temple that sits on one of the three islets connected to the mainland. The island is the nearest to the mainland among the three, making it the easiest to access for visitors, and what’s more, it offers a different vantage point to admire the view of Matsushima Bay.
Jak and Emmie were delighted that, not only was it easy to reach the temple, but access was also free of charge. They got another spectacular view of the bay from this island, and there would be more to come during their time at the bay.
⑧ Cruising around the bay
Hopping on a sightseeing cruise. (Image credit: Japanmase)
What is one of the best ways to explore Matsushima Bay up-close? Hopping on a sightseeing cruise! Jak and Emmie couldn’t pass on the opportunity to hop on a boat that loops around the extensive bay, especially when it would allow them to enjoy more close-up views of the numerous scenic islets as well as the deep blue sea and refreshing salty breeze.
Views of Matsushima Bay on the cruise. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie were also pleasantly surprised by how spacious and comfortable the boat cabin was. During the whole cruise, they were able to enjoy the wonderful views of Matsushima Bay. Needless to say, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that they would highly recommend to anyone visiting the bay.
⑨ Matsushima’s delicacy: Oysters!
Matsushima oysters for lunch. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Do you know what delicacy is famous in Matsushima? It’s oysters (牡蠣 kaki)! Miyagi Prefecture is the second highest producer of oysters in Japan, and they are in season from late October to mid-March. Matsushima is home to several oyster huts (牡蠣小屋 kakigoya), and seeing how they were already in the area and during the right season, it was only a must for Jak and Emmie to have oysters for lunch.
Matsushima’s famous oysters. (Image credit: Japanmase)
One of the best ways to enjoy oysters in Matsushima is having them grilled and naturally seasoned with salt water, and a great way to feast on grilled oysters is by feasting on a 40-minute grilled oyster buffet. Jak and Emmie decided to take on this, and they couldn’t believe their eyes at the sheer number of oysters they could enjoy all they wanted. Succulent and full of flavours of the sea, the oysters were something the couple just couldn’t get enough of. Diners can also add on ¥500 for a side of kakigohan (牡蠣ご飯 oyster rice) and kajijiru (牡蠣汁 miso soup with oysters) to complete their buffet.
Their biggest tip for visitors interested in trying out the grilled oyster buffet? Make sure to come hungry and use your time wisely, since there is a time limit for it.
⑩ A bridge to Fukuurajima
The bridge to Fukuurajima. (Image credit: Japanmase)
After a fulfilling lunch, Jak and Emmie decided to explore Matsushima Bay further, and they knew that one of the things that visitors ought to do at the bay is to cross the iconic red bridge to Fukuurajima (福浦島). The island is the farthest among the three that are connected to the mainland, and with a total length of 252m, visitors can have a leisurely walk on the bridge and enjoy the wondrous view of the bay while crossing it.
Crossing the bridge from the mainland to Fukuurajima. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie leisurely crossed the bridge from the mainland to Fukuurajima, and were fascinated by the views that they could enjoy while on it. Even though visitors must pay ¥200 to cross it, they felt that it was definitely worth it, and they strongly encourage all visitors to the bay to have a go at it.
⑪ A visit to a National Treasure
Zuiganji Temple’s main building. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie were enthralled by the sheer beauty of Matsushima Bay so far, but they were in for another surprise: just a 5-minute walk from JR Matsushimakaigan Station lies a historical temple that features many structures that are designated as National Treasures (国保 kokuhō).
Admission tickets (left), and caves in the temple complex (right). (Image credit: Japanmase)
Zuiganji Temple (瑞巌寺) is a Buddhist temple that is regarded as one of the most prominent historical properties in Japan. Jak and Emmie decided to check it out, and were taken aback by the sheer tranquility of the temple complex. They were fascinated by the rich heritage of the temple and its landscape, and felt rejuvenated after walking through the gardens of the temple.
Aside from the temple buildings, they also found the caves at the temple complex to be remarkable, and felt that visitors should check them out when paying a visit to this iconic temple.
Zuiganji Temple (瑞巌寺)
Address: Chonai-91 Matsushima, Miyagi, Miyagi 981-0213
Nearest station: 5-minute walk from JR Matsushimakaigan Station (JR松島海岸駅)
Operating hours:
8:30am–3pm (January, December)
8:30am–3:30pm (February, November)
8:30am–4pm (March, October)
8:30am–4:30pm (April–September)
Admission fees: ¥700 per adult
⑫ A trip to a historical teahouse
Kanrantei. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Before wrapping up their day at Matsushima, there was just one more place that Jak and Emmie wanted to visit: a quaint teahouse that offers yet another splendid view of Matsushima Bay, and the perfect place for the couple to relax before ending their day.
Relaxing inside Kanrantei. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Kanrantei (観瀾亭) is a traditional teahouse that is highly popular among visitors for its magnificent view of the bay. Its name translates as “place to view ripples on water”, and visitors can come and appreciate the beautiful interiors and enjoy delicious matcha (抹茶) green tea while gazing at the scenic outdoor view.
Views of the bay from Kanrantei. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie felt that this was the perfect way to end the second day of the trip, which was filled with amazing sights and delectable delicacies. After discovering many viewpoints that offer different perspectives of the magnificent Matsushima Bay, they could finally end their day on a high note.
Kanrantei (観瀾亭)
Address: 56 Matsushima-chōnai, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi 981-0213
Nearest station: 7-minute walk from JR Matsushimakaigan Station (JR松島海岸駅)
Operating hours:
April–October: 8:30am–5pm
November–March: 8:30am–4:30pm
Admission fees: ¥200 per adult (additional ¥500 for matcha green tea set)
Day 3
Places in Sendai visited by Jak and Emmie on Day 3. (Image credit: Google Maps)
It was the third and final day of their railway trip around the Miyagi Prefecture, which had been an exciting sightseeing and gourmet adventure so far. For this day, they were looking forward to something very different from their usual railway trips: for their first destination, they had to hop on a boat to an island populated with a rather unusual “demographic”.
⑬ Onwards to Tashirojima, the island of cats!
Heading to Tashirojima by ferry. (Image credit: Japanmase)
The first item of the day on their itinerary is a trip to Tashirojima (田代島), and to do that, they made their way to the city of Ishinomaki (石巻市) and proceeded to the Ajishima Line (網地島ライン Ajishima-rain) ferry terminal. Tashirojima is located off the coast of Ishinomaki, and visitors can access it with a 45–60-minute ferry ride. The island has two ferry ports—Ōdomari Port (大泊港) in the northern side of the island, and Nitoda Port (仁斗田港) in the southern side—and as Jak and Emmie got off at Nitoda Port, they began their tour around Tashirojima and went to meet the main “inhabitants”.
Cats at Shima no Eki. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Do you know that Tashirojima is known as a “cat island”? That’s because the island is full of cats! There are more cats than people on the island, and many visitors (especially cat lovers) come here to see and admire the feline inhabitants of the island. When Jak and Emmie arrived at Shima no Eki (島のえき), a former elementary school building that had been converted into a rest stop for visitors, they couldn’t believe their eyes at the large horde of cats resting and having their meals there!
Souvenirs and memorabilia inside Shima no Eki. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Being huge cat lovers themselves, Jak and Emmie couldn’t contain their excitement at being able to say hi and pet the cats that they met not only at Shima no Eki, but all over the island. Inside the rest stop, there were numerous cat and Tashirojima-themed souvenirs that visitors could browse and get for themselves. There were also many memorabilia there that revolved around the island’s cats, showcasing how they were essentially part of the local community.
Manga Island. (Image credit: Japanmase)
During their tour around Tashirojima, they also found Manga Island (漫画アイランド Manga-airando), a campground that features adorable cat-shaped cabins. Operated by the city of Ishinomaki, the cabins are for visitors who would like to spend a night or two on the island. Not only did the duo find the cabins to be adorable, but they also found the campground to be fantastic, especially when it also offers a beautiful ocean view for its guests.
Take note that the cabin rates have been updated for 2022, and guests are highly encouraged to check them on the official website.
Manga Island (漫画アイランド)
Address: 24 Tashirohama Shikishima, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0023
Opening period: 12 May–31 October 2022 (closed on Tuesdays, 4 May during Golden Week, and 21 September)
Access: 15-minute walk from Nitoda Port (仁斗田港)
Tel: +81- 225-95-1111
Cat shrine. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Another discovery that the couple made was a cat shrine (猫神社 neko-jinja) located in the centre of the island. They learned that it was built by a fisherman many years ago, in memory of a cat that was supposedly killed by a falling rock. They felt saddened by this story, and prayed that no other cat would be harmed in Tashirojima.
After spending half a day on the island, Jak and Emmie had to bid farewell to the cat island, and gave one last look at the lovable feline residents before they were off to the next part of their trip.
Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba (石巻元気市場)
Address: 2-11-11 Central, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0822
Nearest station: 12-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station (JR石巻駅)
Opening hours:
First floor (market): 9am–7pm
Second floor (restaurant): 11am–7:30pm (last order at 7pm, Sunday–Thursday), 11am–7:30pm (Friday–Saturday, eve of national holidays)
⑭ Manga museum marvel
Ishinomori Mangattan Museum. (Image credit: Japanmase)
After Jak and Emmie hopped on the ferry boat back to the mainland, they made their way to their next sightseeing destination. Located in the city of Ishinomaki is a unique museum that is dedicated to one of Japan’s most loved contemporary creations: manga (漫画 Japanese comics / graphic novels).
Exhibits inside the museum. (Image credit: ©︎石森プロ・東映 (top, bottom left), 石森プロ (bottom right))
The Ishinomori Mangattan Museum (石ノ森萬画館 Ishinomori Mangakan) is a museum that is devoted to the works of the late Ishinomori Shōtarō (石ノ森章太郎), a celebrated manga artist whose hometown was in Ishinomaki. During his career, he created some of the most loved manga of all time such as “Cyborg 009” (サイボーグゼロゼロナイン), the “Super Sentai” series (スーパー戦隊シリーズ), and the “Kamen Rider” series (仮面ライダーシリーズ), and this museum was opened in 2001 to showcase his greatest works.
Exhibits and images outside the museum. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie’s time at the museum was a trip down memory lane, and they were hit by a wave of nostalgia while looking at all of the wonderful manga creations. Seeing the statues and exhibits of manga characters from their childhood brought back fond memories, and they were amazed at how Ishinomori’s works have influenced the lives of so many people. They also learned how the museum’s first floor was destroyed during the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and was quickly restored in less than two years after the disaster.
Ishinomori Mangattan Museum (石ノ森萬画館)
Address: 2-7 Nakaze, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0823
Nearest station: 20-minute walk from JR Ishinomaki Station (JR石巻駅)
Operating hours:
March–November: 9am–6pm (last entry at 5:30pm, closed every third Tuesday)
December–February: 9am–5pm (last entry at 4:30pm, closed every Tuesday)
Admission fees: ¥840 per adult
Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba. (Image credit: Japanmase)
After their trip to the museum, there was one more place that they wanted to drop by, and that was the Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba (石巻元気市場). The market opened in 2017, and here visitors can find a whole range of fresh seafood products caught by local fishermen; local agricultural produce and sake. The couple found it a delight to browse through the wide variety of products available here, and hoped that visitors would check this place out when they visit Ishinomaki.
⑮ Road to manga
Map of the Ishinomaki Manga Road. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Jak and Emmie thought that they finally reached the end of their railway trip, and planned to make their way to JR Ishinomaki Station on foot. Just when they thought they were wrapping up their day, they learned that there was one more attraction left to discover, which they could enjoy on their way to the railway station.
Statues found along the Ishinomaki Manga Road. (Image credit: Japanmase)
The Ishinomaki Manga Road (石巻漫画ロード) is a path between JR Ishinomaki Station and the Ishinomori Mangattan Museum that features several statues of characters created by Ishinomori Shōtarō, including Kamen Rider and those from Cyborg 009. There are 19 statues altogether along the road, and Jak and Emmie tried their best to find all of them along the way. The next time you make your way from the station to the museum, make sure to find them all!
Statues and images of manga characters at JR Ishinomaki Station. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Not only did Jak and Emmie find manga characters along the way to JR Ishinomaki Station, but they also found more inside the station. They could be found everywhere, from the glass mural at the entrance to the walls along the staircase, and even on the train that they were getting on! It was a huge surprise for the couple, and they finally hopped on the train back to Sendai, leaving Ishinomaki with joyous hearts.
⑯ Supper of the day: Gyūtan & zunda shake!
Sendai’s local specialty: Gyūtan. (Image credit: Japanmase)
Even if Jak and Emmie had come to the end of their railway trip, they knew that they could not wrap up their journey without having another go at some of Sendai’s local specialties. And when it comes to food in Sendai, it would come as no surprise that they would go for one of the most popular choices in the city: gyūtan (牛タン beef tongue)!
The delicacy has become synonymous with the city of Sendai, and Jak and Emmie knew that one of the best places to enjoy it: Gyūtan-dōri (牛タン通り), on the same level as Sushi-dōri on the third floor of JR Sendai Station. Jak and Emmie feasted on this delectable delicacy to their heart’s content, and hoped that all visitors would not forget to have this while in Sendai.
Zunda shake (left), and zunda products (right). (Image credit: Japanmase)
Another delicacy in Sendai that shouldn’t be missed? Zunda (ずんだ), which is made from green soybeans. This famous delicacy is enjoyed in many ways, but Jak and Emmie knew that one of the best ways to enjoy it was as a decadent milkshake! To explore zunda products, visitors should check out Zunda-komichi (ずんだ小径) also on the third floor of JR Sendai Station.
Closing
Miyagi is a prefecture that is filled with many spots with superb scenery, and many delicious foods that would attract visitors to come and visit time and time again. With its high railway connectivity, visitors from Tokyo can get there by rail easily and make discoveries by hopping on the train to different areas in the prefecture.
Even though Jak and Emmie had travelled to Miyagi before, they still got to explore new sightseeing spots such as the picturesque Ishinomaki and the cat-filled island of Tashirojima. On top of that, they got to enjoy some of Miyagi’s diverse cuisine which was always welcomed in any railway trip.
It was yet another fun-filled journey for the duo, but as always, every journey has to come to an end. This one was full of wonderful memories, and they felt sad that they had to wrap it up eventually. Their main takeaway from the trip: with so many scenic sightseeing spots and delicious foods, Miyagi is a place that they will visit again real soon!
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) and where you can use it. (Image credit: JR East)
Jak and Emmie’s trip to Miyagi Prefecture was made easy thanks to the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), an affordable pass that offers unlimited rail travel on JR East lines (including bullet trains) in the valid area for 5 consecutive days at only ¥30,000. You can also make seat reservations for bullet trains, some limited express trains and Joyful Trains online for free, up to 1 month in advance, on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
The JR-EAST Train Reservation. (Image credit: JR East)
Header image credit: Japanmase, illustAC
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