Sendai: The Dark Horse of Japan

Posted on 04/28/2023 Last updated on 01/11/2024

Traveling to Japan entices travelers to eat takoyaki in Osaka, visit Kiyomizudera in Kyoto, see the A-bomb Dome in Hiroshima and even roam around the capital city of Tokyo. Those are the all too common responses from those who have traveled to the land of the rising sun; almost as if it’s an unwritten requirement. However, there is one city rarely mentioned by travelers. Lying in the northeastern corner of the Honshu island, with mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Sendai is an often ignored location by travelers.

Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region and is the capital of Miyagi Prefecture. It was the area ruled over by the One-Eyed Dragon himself, Date Masamune. This history of Sendai dates back to 1600 after the Battle of Sekigahara when Date Masamune decided it was a better spot to watch over his territories. Sendai Castle or Aoba Castle, was situated on a hill overlooking the city. The castle itself is gone as it was destroyed in a bombing in 1945. A museum sits in its place as well as a monument to Date Masamune.

Photo by Dustin Zofchak

The city, while looking like a typical Japanese city, does well merging with its natural surroundings. Tohoku was the last region to join in the unification of Japan after the Kunohe Rebellion. Due to this, it is believed Tohoku has a stronger connection to nature than the rest of the country. Walking to the castle is basically a nature walk. When looking at the city from the castle, you’ll see the fusion of nature and modernity.

Photo by Dustin Zofchak

If nature isn’t your thing, there is still more than enough to do in the city itself. If you like to party and enjoy the festivals, Sendai doesn’t run short of that either. Its Tanabata festival and Jozenji Streetjazz Festival are the largest of their kind in the country. Don’t worry, Jozenji isn’t purely jazz. It’s now all kinds of genres. Of course, the most important thing to eat while in Sendai is gyutan. While cow tongue doesn’t sound all that appetizing, it is one of my favorite things to eat and Sendai is famous for it. It’s borderline criminal not to eat it while in Sendai.

Photo by Dustin Zofchak

Sendai is my favorite city in Japan. It doesn’t get the love and recognition it deserves. It has everything that lovers of Japan want in a Japanese city. It has been important all throughout Japanese history so why not travel there and experience it yourself? Go ahead. Do it.

Photo Credits:

Top Photo: kimkimkaoru on PhotoAC

All additional images taken and provided by Dustin Zofchak, used with permission.