Autumn and winter are both very popular times of year to visit Miyagi, and you can check out this video to see why! From the stunning gingko trees blooming in Sendai in late autumn, to a relaxing stay at a Japanese-style inn and visiting some hot springs to warm up, to seeing the adorable foxes in their winter coats at Zao Fox Village and the snow monsters of Zao, there are many amazing things to experience in Miyagi during this time of year. We hope to see you here soon!
The weather in Miyagi has gotten colder lately, and one way to combat the cold is by eating some delicious hot food, as you can see in this video! From the hamburger steaks to ramen to yakiniku, Miyagi has all of the staples of Japanese cuisine. One iconic Miyagi dish that you might also want to try during this season is seri nabe (Japanese parsley hot pot)!
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Autumn in Japan is well-beloved not just for the cooler weather and the beautiful autumn colors, but also because the variety of foods that come into season, as you can see in this video! From grape picking in Yamamoto Town, to Matsushima’s famous oysters, fresh seafood at the Yuriage market in Natori, and harako-meshi (salmon and salmon roe served over rice), there are many seasonal delicacies to enjoy. Of course, there are also many Miyagi staples to enjoy too, like gyutan, or a hot bowl of ramen to get through the crisp autumn weather, so you’re bound to find something that suits your appetite!
This week, from August 6 through August 8, Sendai will be holding its Tanabata Festival. Sendai’s Tanabata Festival is the largest, most celebrated Tanabata festival in all of Japan, and over the course of this three-day event, people come from all over the country and the rest of the world to witness the spectacle of the beautiful kusudama streamers that line Sendai’s streets and shopping arcades, eat all sorts of delicious food offered by vendors, and enjoy the atmosphere of Japan in the summer. Come visit Sendai and join us in the festivities!
Summer Festivals in Miyagi
We may have just had the Aoba Festival and the Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai, but the summer festivities here and elsewhere in Miyagi are far from over! This video contains previews of various upcoming festivals for you to look forward to, including the Shiogama Minato Festival (July 14th and 15th), the Lotus Festival at Lake Izunuma-Uchinuma (July 20th through August 25th), as well as glimpses of the Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6th through 8th). Check it out!
It’s finally time for the Aoba Festival! The festival will be held this weekend over both Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will be able to enjoy parades accompanied by music and as well as check out the famous Suzume-odori (sparrow dance) for themselves, like in this video! We hope to see you there!
While Miyagi’s coastal areas suffered great damages in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster, thanks to the efforts of local communities and support from all over the world, Miyagi’s coastal areas have been reconstructed and are now thriving! Why not take a trip to the Miyagi coastline to see for yourself? Fresh local produce, beautiful scenery, and friendly locals all make for the perfect day out- whether you want to enjoy fireworks, cherry blossoms, delicious seafood, or boat tours, there’s plenty to see and do on the Miyagi coast!
The Japan Weather Association is currently forecasting that cherry blossoms will begin to bloom in Miyagi on April 2nd. Since we are less than one month out, we recommend that you start thinking about where you’d like to visit to see these lovely blossoms for yourself. This video contains some popular choices for cherry blossom viewing, such as Ogawara Town and Shiogama Shrine, which we have introduced before. It also shows Nishi Park in Sendai, which is a great location to do cherry blossom viewing as there are many food stalls available during the cherry blossom season, and it has its own stop on the Sendai Subway’s Tozai Line so it’s very easy to access!
The 2023 Sendai Pageant of Starlight is now open! The official light-up ceremony was held last week, on the 8th of December. The countdown was led by the Winter Angels, ten elementary-school children from Sendai who have been specially selected as the official ambassadors of the Pageant of Starlight. The Winter Angels led the countdown, then with a wave of their wands, thousands of lights transformed Jozenji-dori into a sparkling winter wonderland. Our own beloved Musubi-maru also played an important role- or should we say, Musubi Santa? The opening ceremony was the perfect way to kick off the festivities, but the fun doesn’t end there! The Pageant of Starlight will be running until the 25th of December, so make sure to stop by to experience the magic for yourself!
The official opening ceremony for the Murata Olle trail was held on November 11th, bringing the total number of Olle Trails in Miyagi Prefecture to five! ‘Olle’ is a word which means ‘path leading home’ in the language of Korea’s Jeju Island, where Olle Trails originated in 2007. Since then, Miyagi, Kyushu, and Mongolia have collaborated with Korea to create their own Olle trails, with the first Miyagi Olle trail opening in 2018. Representatives from Korea and Mongolia attended the opening ceremony, taking part in a ribbon ceremony to commemorate this partnership. Miyagi’s beloved mascot characters also made an appearance, including Murata’s own Kurarin! After the ceremony, visitors could also enjoy delicious Korean treats from food stalls, before setting out on their journey. How many of Miyagi’s Olle Trail courses have you tried?
Do you know the Japanese word, ‘koyo’ (紅葉)? ‘Koyo’ literally translates to ‘crimson leaves’, or ‘fall colors’. Much like the cherry blossoms in spring, Japanese people love to go on trips to famous autumnal beauty spots to view this beautiful sight. Weather forecasts will even report which days the colors will reach their peak, so that people can plan their trips in advance! This week, people are flocking to famous sites all over Miyagi prefecture, such as Akiu, Naruko, and Zao, to catch the autumn colors at their most beautiful. If you want to experience Miyagi’s famous ‘koyo’ for yourself, please hurry- their beauty is matched only by their brevity, and the season will be over very soon!
