Miyagi Essentials

Miyagi Prefecture offers a mix of coastal scenery and volcanic highlands. Matsushima Bay is home to over 200 pine-covered islands and the historic Zuigan-ji Temple. Inland, the Zao mountain range features the emerald-green Okama Crater and a dedicated fox sanctuary. The capital, Sendai, preserves Momoyama-era architecture at Osaki Hachiman Shrine, while the coast at Ishinomaki celebrates pop culture at the Ishinomori Manga Museum. The region is also defined by natural landmarks like the 100-meter-deep Naruko Gorge.

LERK / CC BY 2.5

A

Matsushima-Kaigan

Matsushima-Kaigan Station is a railway station in the town of Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company.

B

Mt. Zao

Active volcanic range featuring the Okama Crater, a highly acidic lake known for its changing emerald hues. The area is a center for skiing and hot springs, famous for "snow monsters"—coniferous trees covered in heavy ice and snow during winter months.

C

鳴子峡

A 100-meter deep V-shaped gorge carved by the Otaya River. It is renowned for its dramatic autumn foliage, typically peaking from late October to early November, and features the iconic Ofukazawa Bridge and scenic hiking trails.

Piccolist / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Zao Fox Village

Come here and observe foxes. The village is home to more than 100 animals and 6 different types of foxes.

Jrissman / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Zuigan-ji Temple

Seiryuzan Zuigan-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in located in the town of Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Kumamushi / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Entsu-in

Entsū-in is a Buddhist temple located in the town of Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

ジダネ / Public domain

G

Osaki Hachiman Shrine

Ōsaki Hachimangū is a Shinto shrine in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

広瀬川 / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Sendai Umino-mori Aquarium

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

gleam_df / CC BY 2.0

I

Ishinomori Manga Museum

Ishinomori Manga Museum, also known as the Ishinomaki Mangattan Museum, is a museum in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

広瀬川 / Public domain

J

Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple

Buddhist temple complex featuring a five-story pagoda and a main hall dedicated to a hidden Buddha image. It is locally famous for its thick, deep-fried tofu (Abura-age) and historical ties to the Taira clan.