Sendai

The former residence of Bansui Doi, a famous poet and scholar of English Literature in Japan, but generally unknown to non-Japanese. Best known for writing the lyrics to "Kōjō no Tsuki" (荒城の月, "The Moon over the Ruined Castle").

Often recommended by locals, though there isn't much to see beyond the old castle walls and a nice view over the modern city. There's a replica of a gate and a statue of the founder of the city, Date Masumune. However, the ruins of Sendai Castle is the theme of a famous poem written by Doi Bansui called "Kojo no Tsuki" ('The Moon over the desolate castle'). In the poem, the author touchingly invites us to reflect on the impermanence of all life, which is represented by the ruins of the once great castle caught in the light of the full moon. The poem has been put to music and is famous throughout Japan. There is a food court and a small museum on-site.

A small one-room museum and theatre dedicated to the Aoba Castle & Masamune Date. A 15-minute historical documentary on the castle and Masamune Date is shown every hour. The exhibition and film are exclusively in Japanese, and the museum is of little interest to non-Japanese speakers.

The museum of the stone age. In the museum, restoration exhibition of that time is carried out based on the data discovered from public presentation and there are the ruins of 20,000-year-old Saki's Old Stone Age unearthed from Tomizawa ruins (富沢遺跡).

Botanical garden with 800+ species, with a focus on willows and alpine plants.

Mausoleum of Date Maasamune, first lord of Sendai Domain. Zuihoden was designed in the ornate style of the Momoyama Period. The original complex was destroyed during World War II, but has been rebuilt and is in a dense forest (which survived the war; many of the trees are over 300 years old). It features intricate woodwork and a rich variety of vivid colors. Massive cedar trees surround the paths in the area, and are meant to symbolize the long history of the Date clan. A museum beside the Zuihoden main building shows some of the personal artifacts of the Date family, and even some specimens of their bones and hair.

Showcases a wide array of specimens from the university's research in earth sciences, featuring complete skeletons of a Stegosaurus, Fukuiraptor, and a Sei whale, alongside a comprehensive collection of fossils and minerals that illustrate 2 billion years of evolution and Earth's changes.

The birthplace of hydroelectric power generation in Japan and features a functioning century-old hydroelectric plant (operating in a demonstration capacity) that remains connected to the power grid. In addition to being able to view the hydroelectric turbines in operation, a small museum and children's exploration area is on-site, albeit in Japanese-only. Immediately adjacent to the hydroelectric facility is the Sankyozawa Traffic Park and a Shinto shrine. Note that the museum frequently hosts visiting engineering delegations so don't be surprised if the museum suddenly gets crowded.

A science museum with a focus on science and technology, natural history, and everyday life where you can experience scientific principles and laws through hands-on exhibits and stimulate your creativity.

Held at the Osaki Hachiman Shrine on January 14 every year.

The Sendai Michinoku Yosakoi Festival was established in 1998 as a successor to the Kochi Yosakoi Festival. Yosakoi, which is held in over 250 cities, towns and villages across the country, is a general term for festivals that follow the rules of respecting tradition and creativity and is run by the citizens, incorporating local folk songs and dancing with Naruko drums. Today, it is held in cities, towns and villages all over Japan and participants from all over the country can not only show off their folk songs and regional characteristics, but also feel a sense of unity with faraway friends who share the same ideals. For 26 years, the motto has been "Tohoku (Michinoku) is one."

This is a fun little amusement park. It's not exactly Disneyland, but you can have a fun few hours on the roller coasters and other rides.

No English. 09:00-11:30, and 12:30-15:30. Tours are conducted every 15 to 20 minutes. Tours take one hour. Free whisky at the end of the tour.

An unusual park intended for children and school groups to learn traffic rules in Japan in a simulated city environment, complete with traffic signals and pedestrian walk signs. Free bike rentals are available for children.