Take a trip to Sendai in Japan

Sendai is not a well-known city outside Japan, but it is a must see destination, if you are traveling to Japan from far abroad.

Sendai is neither big nor small. It is between the sea and the mountains. It is pleasant, but also vibrant. It has wide green areas, but also wide streets with lots of traffic. It is definitely a city of balance between opposing qualities.

Japanese people and foreigners visiting Japan, don’t see Sendai as a tourist destination. In terms of historical sites, there is almost anything that can be seen in it. Although the site has been inhabited since more than 20,000 years, it has been completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt.

However, Sendai has some interesting attractions for tourists, beyond its flair as middle tier Japanese city. There is the Miyagi Museum of Art with its extensive collection of modern art, Japanese and foreigner.

There is the Aoba Castle, slightly outside the city. Despite its name, it is only the site of the old Aoba Castle. Currently, it is a park with some ruins remembering the old Aoba Castle.

Osaki Hachiman Shrine. It was completed around the year 1607. It is designated a national Japanese treasure. The metal ornaments or colourful designs displayed against a background of black lacquer wood is an especially attractive piece of art.

The Observation Lounge, Higashi Nibancho dori or Kitamenmachi dori. It is the office tower with an observation deck on the last floors. It is open and free to the public. The views are astonishing, since if you look right you see the sea and if you look right, the mountains.

A nice place to visit, for tourists interested in Japanese culture is the Buddhist meditation centre of Rinno-ji Temple. Zazen meditation is open to all, once every day. Instruction for newbies is given in English and it is completely free to join, regarding price and conditions. Wear loose clothing for this.

If you are planning to visit Sendai, set in your calendar the date of the festival Tanabata. It starts at the beginning of August and goes for 5 days. There is a parade and all streets are decorated.