Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

Sendai is the largest city in Japan’s Tohoku region, with a population of approximately 1.1 million people. It can be reached from Tokyo in as little as about 1 hour and 30 minutes via the Tohoku Shinkansen. For roughly 260 years after feudal lord Date Masamune built Sendai Castle (originally named Aoba Castle), Sendai flourished as a castle town under the rule of the Date family. There are a number of historical sites and buildings in Sendai that have connections to the Date family, including the ruins of Sendai Castle, from which you can take in a panoramic view of the city; Zuihoden, Date Masamune’s mausoleum; Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, which was built by Date Masamune; Toshogu Shrine, which was built by Date Tadamune, the second lord of the Sendai Domain; and Aoba Shrine, where Date Masamune is enshrined as a deity. There is also Sendai City Museum, which houses valuable materials related to the Date family and the Sendai Domain. Sendai is known as the “City of Trees”, and trees and parks can be found all over the city. Jozenji-dori Avenue runs through the center of the city, and perfectly represents Sendai as a “City of Trees”. The zelkova trees lining the street are beautiful, and the median strip also serves as a promenade.