Summary
This time we went to Miyagi Prefecture for two days and one night! On the second day, we went to Matsushima and Sendai! We went to Matsushima to see the spectacular view, and also did some light eating and walking. It was a trip where we ate quite a bit of delicious food along the coast of Miyagi! It is easy to get to from Tokyo, so please refer to this page when you go on a trip.
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
See article on Day 1
Travel Itinerary
7:30am Sun Marine Kesennuma Hotel Kanyo（サンマリン気仙沼ホテル観洋）
I saw the sunrise! Beautiful!
breakfast room
breakfast
Breakfast was buffet style! I couldn’t resist reaching for the many dishes using seasonal ingredients from Kesennuma.
Since swordfish was in season, we served it with ochazuke (rice marinated in green tea), clam chowder, and arajiru (fish head soup ).
breakfast
I tend to eat a lot at buffets!
Elegant breakfast with large windows and a view.
San Marin Kesennuma Hotel Kanyo is an accommodation facility located in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. The hotel rooms overlook the ocean and offer a wonderful view. There is also a large open-air bath and a large public bath where you can relax. The hotel seems to use natural hot spring water, and word of mouth says that you can feel the benefits of the hot spring water.
9:00am Kesennuma Station（気仙沼駅）
On the second day, we took the train from Kesennuma to Matsushima!There was a shuttle bus (by reservation only) from the hotel, so we were dropped off.
Home
Kesennuma Station, located in Furumachi, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, is a station and bus stop of East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It is often used for travel from Kesennuma to Matsushima, and shuttle buses are available from hotels. There are many sightseeing spots and restaurants around Kesennuma Station, making it a convenient location for tourists.
Ichinoseki Station（一ノ関駅）
After a two-hour ride from Kesennuma Station, the first transfer was at Ichinoseki Station!
Ichinoseki Station, located in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, is a station of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight). The station is served by the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train and the Tohoku Main Line and Ofunato Line, both of which are conventional train lines, making it a connecting station. The station is used for access to sightseeing spots and places to eat.
Kogota Station（小牛田駅）
Change trains again at Kogota Station and head for Matsushima Station!
Kogota Station, located in Misato-machi, Toda-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, is a station of East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The surrounding area is characterized by abundant nature and a quiet atmosphere. Many people who use Kogota Station say that access to Matsushima is convenient.
Matsushima Station
After less than 3 hours from Kesennuma Station, you will arrive at Matsushima Station. We took a cab from Matsushima station to the tourist area because it is a bit far.
Matsushima Station, located in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi County, Miyagi Prefecture, is a station on the Tohoku Main Line of East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It is located less than 3 hours away from Kesennuma Station, providing convenient access to tourist attractions. Tourist attractions are scattered around Matsushima Station, but since it is some distance from the station to those areas, it is convenient to take a cab. Matsushima Station is a convenient base for tourists and is also used by local residents.
12:30pm Kasho Sanzen Matsushima Komichi Store（菓匠三全 松島寺町小路店）
Miyagi is also famous for zunda (sweet and healthy bean paste)!I wanted to try Zunda Mochi, but they didn’t have any, so I ordered a Zunda Shake (330 yen). The sweetness of the vanilla matched with the zunda flavor was insanely delicious.
Exterior
A famous confectioner in Miyagi whose signature product is “Haginotsuki,” a famous Sendai confectionery!
Zunda Shake
Souvenirs
Kasho Sanzen Matsushima Komichi Store, located in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi County, Miyagi Prefecture, is a confectionery store that produces Miyagi’s famous “Hagi no Tsuki” sweets. It also focuses on Zunda sweets and offers a wide variety of souvenirs.
Matsushima Kamaboko Honpo Sohonten（松島蒲鉾本舗 総本店）
Then we went for a walk to eat. I came to a store where you can experience hand-baking sasa-kamaboko (Bamboo leaf shaped Kamaboko is a traditional Japanese food famous in Sendai).Sasakamaboko, priced at 250 yen per piece, is grilled slowly on a net! When they are browned after 5-10 minutes, they are done!
The surface has become fragrant and the kamaboko has become chunky and chewy! It is nice to be able to eat it hot but freshly baked.
Exterior
A model of kamaboko (fish cake) is the landmark!
Interior
Matsushima Kamaboko Honpo Sohonten, located in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi County, Miyagi Prefecture, is a fish cake production and sales store. The popular product here is sasa-kamaboko, which can be grilled by hand. The kamaboko is grilled slowly on a grill for 5 to 10 minutes, and when the kamaboko is browned, it is ready to eat. The surface will be fragrant and the kamaboko will be sticky and chewy. It is a great pleasure to eat it freshly baked.
Godaido（五大堂）
Godaido with the red bridge that you often see on social networking sites! You can enjoy a panoramic view of Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan ✨ You can enter for free, so feel free to drop by.
Japan’s three famous sights
It is called sukashibashi!
It was thrilling because of the gaps in the footing.
Great views!
A panoramic view of the islands in Matsushima Bay
Good thing it was sunny!
Godaido, located in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi Prefecture, is a Buddhist temple in the scenic area of Matsushima. It has become a hot topic on SNS for its wonderful view of Matsushima Bay, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. However, please note that it closes in the evening.
2:00pm Beef tongue charcoal grill Rikyu Matsushima Store（牛たん炭焼 利久 松島店）
Miyagi Prefecture is famous for its beef tongue!There were many beef tongue restaurants, but we went to the popular restaurant Rikyu! I got the beef tongue nigiri and beef tongue yaki set (2,120 yen), which is only available at this restaurant.
A special set of tender beef tongue and beef tongue sushi! You can eat beef tongue many times and never get tired of the taste ✨
Exterior
Menu
set meal
individual item
Matsushima-kaigan Ekimae Store Limited Menu
There was also a set with sashimi!
Located in Beef tongue charcoal grill Rikyu Matsushima Store, Gyutan Sumiyaki Rikyu Matsushima-ten is a restaurant specializing in Sendai’s famous beef tongue. The beef tongue set meal features a new texture that is thick and resilient, yet easily chewable. The combination of the beef tongue with the refined salty tail soup, fiber-rich barley rice, and oshinko (pickled vegetables) is highly satisfying and well-received by word of mouth.
Matsushima-kaigan Station（松島海岸駅）
There are two stations around Matsushima, but the one closest to the tourist area is Matsushima-kaigan Station! On the way back, we moved from this station to Sendai Station.If you are coming to Matsushima from Sendai, we recommend using this station because it has a good number of trains.
By the way, the Senseki Line, the view from the train window was wonderful✨
Matsushima-kaigan Station, located in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi County, Miyagi Prefecture, is a station on the East Japan Railway (JR East) Senseki Line. There are two stations in the Matsushima area, but we recommend this station, which is closer to the sightseeing spots. It takes about 40 minutes from Sendai by Senseki Line, and there are a fair number of trains, so it is convenient. The scenery from the train windows is lovely, and it is ideal for a trip to Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
Beef tongue street Sushi street（牛たん通りすし通り）
We look into the street lined with sushi restaurants and beef tongue restaurants inside Sendai Station. Ekiben (boxed lunches) and other items were also sold! If you are in trouble, this is the place to come.
Beef Tongue Street Sushi Street is located in Aoba Ward, Sendai City, within Sendai Station, and is a street with a variety of famous restaurants where you can enjoy delicious beef tongue. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists to enjoy sushi and beef tongue. It also sells ekiben (boxed meals) and is known as a convenient place to go when in need.
Sendai Station Statue of Lord Date Masamune on horseback（仙台駅 伊達政宗公騎馬像）
The statue of Date Masamune is located at the end of the Beef Tongue Street Sushi Street! Cool.
The statue of Lord Date Masamune mounted on a horse at Sendai Station is located at the far end of the “Gyutan-dori” and “Sushi-dori” restaurant area on the third floor of Sendai Station. Measuring approximately 2.4 meters high and 2.5 meters wide, it is a rare statue that can be seen up close.
5:00pm Inaho（いな穂）
Finally, I wanted to try seri (Japanese parsley) nabe, so I went to the restaurant where seri shabushabu originated.I had seri shabu for the first time, and it was delicious and not so habitual!It is said that eating the root part is unique to Miyagi. It is crunchy and refreshing!Just shabushabu it for about 10 seconds and you’re good to go!The mountain of celeri disappeared in no time.
Mizutoriki (Kesennuma)
The sake menu is extensive, and since we were there, we had some locally brewed sake! It was refreshing and easy to drink! Great to drink while eating seri nabe✨
Appetizer
The elegant appetizers are typical of Japanese restaurants! It’s seasoned just right and I could drink it all by itself…
Exterior
Be careful not to miss it, as it is tucked away in an arcade!
tatami room
Menu
Drink Menu
Menu on the wall
We also have an extensive sake menu.
Inaho is a yakitori and fish restaurant located in Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. According to word of mouth, seri shabu is popular, and the restaurant offers the unique Miyagi root, which is crunchy and refreshing.
Sendai Station West Exit（仙台駅西口）
I tried to find a statue of Masamune Date, who is hiding in the city, because it is said to be located in “Atago Uesugi Dori” and “Aoba Dori”!
You’ll be lucky to find it on a lamppost.
There are 22 in total…
Sendai Station West Exit (bus) is a station of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Sendai City Transportation Bureau (Sendai City Subway). There is also a statue of Hidekare Date Masamune, making it an interesting place for visitors. The area is conveniently located with various sightseeing spots and shopping areas nearby.
Sendai Station
This is how a two-day and one-night trip along the coast of Miyagi Prefecture ends!