Bonnet Bus Ride in Kurihara’s Countryside
A special ride on the retro Bonnet Bus to take in the peaceful landscape of the Kurihara countryside.
October 23, 2025
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Miyagi Prefecture
Just 1.5 hours from Tokyo by bullet train, Miyagi Prefecture is widely known as the gateway for travelers exploring Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region. It’s capital Sendai City offers the fascination and vibrant lights of a modern Japanese city with its long shopping streets, comfortable western hotels, historic sites, and a relaxed atmosphere—without the overcrowding found in Japan’s major tourist hubs. Its balance of convenience and calm makes it an ideal base for discovering the wide range or adventures and sightseeing options that Miyagi Prefecture has to offer.
Miyagi Prefecture is located above Tokyo in the Tohoku Region of Japan. It is accessed via the Tohoku Bullet Train that is the fastest bullet train line in Japan that runs up to 320 kilometers per hour.
Taking only 1.5 hours to its capital of Sendai, this makes Miyagi much easier to access and even closer than Osaka or Kyoto from Tokyo (1.5 hours vs 2.5 hours).
From Sendai, many visitors make their way to Matsushima Bay, one of Japan’s famed “Three Most Scenic Views.” With more than 200 small, pine-covered islets scattered across tranquil blue waters, Matsushima offers boat cruises, coastal walks, and unique programs like tours of its oyster farms in the bay.
Beyond these two highlights, Miyagi unfolds into a region rich with culture, nature, and warm hospitality. Travelers can unwind in hot-spring towns like Akiu and Naruko, explore the rural charm of Kurihara Geopark, or discover coastal traditions shaped by centuries of maritime life. Throughout the prefecture, a strong sense of resilience and community gives each experience authenticity and depth.
Below you’ll find a curated selection of tours and programs—from short experiences to multi-day journeys—that pair perfectly with a stay in Sendai. Please feel free to contact us for travel planning support or personalized recommendations.
Crafting Katana: A Behind-the-Scenes Forge Experience
Swordsmith Norizane Miyagi has been making swords for 45 years, continuing to refine his skills even to this day. At the workshop of Norizane Miyagi, receive a demonstration and explanation of the steps involved in sword making, try your hand at some smithing yourself, and view some genuine samurai swords in a private showing.
October 29, 2025
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Mt. Kurikoma Area Geo-Guide
Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark, located around Mt. Kurikoma, features a rich and diverse natural environment. On this guided hike, learn the story of how people in the region have lived through and overcome numerous natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods.
January 8, 2026
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Shimenawa Making Experience
As a means of purifying spaces and preventing evil from entering, shimenawa ropes are hung to welcome the god Toshigami into one’s home. This experience offers visitors the chance to make a shimenawa decoration using green wara.
July 30, 2025
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Sendai Han Hanayama Nuruyu Bansho Museum
Nuruyu Bansho was a checkpoint station at the entrance to Akita’s Ogachi District beyond Hanayama, referred to as the “Sendai Domain Senboku Border Checkpoint Nuruyu Bansho.” It became a checkpoint station during the Keicho Period after Lord Date Masamune entered Iwadeyama, and for over 200 years served as an inspection station for people and packages passing through.
Presently, various exhibits are on display, from materials passed down from the original bansho, to local folk art and tools which tell the stories and history of the region.
January 8, 2026
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Guided sake & seasonal ingredient cuisine pairing with Sendai Izawa family head
A pairing dinner held by restaurant owner Yuka Izawa at Restaurant Shozan, owned by one of Sendai’s leading sake breweries. In a private space created by renovating a sake brewery in the old castle town, enjoy the restaurant’s unique pairings and a variety of unpasteurized sake that is hard to find on the market, as well as a special menu created just for this tour.
January 24, 2025
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Kurikoma Festival Float Behind the Scenes Tour
Although the floats can usually not be seen until the day of the festival, this year is different. From the end of the festival in July through the float dismantling in November, visitors can view the floats up close. This is a valuable cultural experience in which visitors can view the elaborate structure of the floats and brought to life through the passion of local residents, and hear directly from the local people themselves.
October 30, 2025
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Taiyaki Workshop in Kurihara
At old-fashioned sweets shop Kurikomaya in the Muikamachi neighborhood of Kurihara City, learn from the shop owner how to make taiyaki sweets, then try your hand at making one yourself.
October 23, 2025
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Recenter Your Body & Mind with Shojin Ryori Dinner & Zen Meditation at Sendai’s Zen Temple
Rinnoji Temple, which has one of the best gardens in the Tohoku region, offers a private tour and immersion in Japanese culture as you learn about the history of Rinnoji Temple and Zen culture. After a prayer and zazen experience, enjoy a meal of shojinryori.
January 24, 2025
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Highlights of Sendai and Matsushima 1-day Private Tour
A private guided tour that lets you experience the scenic, cultural, and historical highlights of Sendai and Matsushima all in just one day.
December 20, 2024
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Early Summer Exclusive: Create a One-of-a-Kind Indigo-Dyed Work
This program offers an opportunity to experience “Sho-Aizome,” one of Japan’s oldest indigo dyeing techniques, passed down in the Monji area of Kurikoma, Kurihara City
January 8, 2026
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Shiroishi Umen: Guided Factory Tour of Kichimi Noodle Production
Founded in 1897 (Meiji 30), Kichimi Seimen has faithfully preserved the traditional techniques and spirit of Umen-making. At the factory, high-quality ingredients are carefully selected and processed using time-honored methods combined with modern technology. Every step—from mixing and kneading to aging, stretching, and drying—requires the experience and refined judgment of skilled artisans.
During the factory tour, you can witness the noodle-making process up close, where manual craftsmanship and modern machinery coexist in harmony.
January 8, 2026
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Journey on the Uetsu Main Line: Exploring Sakata City
In these carefully curated tour packages, enjoy the cultural and culinary highlights of port town Sakata, easily accessible via JR East’s scenic Uetsu Main Line.
January 30, 2025
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Wakayanagi Jiori Textile Factory Tour
In the Meiji (1868–1912) and Taisho (1912–1926) periods, the Wakayanagi area of Kurihara flourished thanks to the production of Wakayanagi jiori, a traditional cotton textile. Learn about the Wakayanagi jiori production process and the special characteristics of the Y-type loom, about dedication to craftsmanship and techniques passed down through generations, from third-generation owner Kojun Chiba.
July 30, 2025
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Mochi-Pounding Experience
Experience an indispensable element of Japanese holidays: mochi-pounding! Using a traditional mallet and mortar, pound mochi rice into this staple chewy morsel, and then enjoy the result as part of a delicious local dish.
July 29, 2025
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Guided Migratory Bird-Watching Tour in Miyagi
Embrace the hobby sweeping the masses- bird-watching! The Izunuma-Uchinuma wetlands are one of the wintering grounds frequented by the migratory waterfowl that come to Japan each winter. Contemplate the relationship between man and nature as you observe waterfowl rising from their roosts in the early morning and returning at dusk.
July 30, 2025
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Staying at Yuzu no Azemichi Amago no Kaeru
Spend time in a space of extraordinary freedom, surrounded by tranquil countryside views in a nostalgic old Japanese-style house.
January 8, 2026
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Ishinomaki Culinary Adventure
On this private sea-to-table culinary adventure tour, experience the bounty of the Sanriku fishing grounds just off the coast of Ishinomaki for yourself! Fish, fry, flambe, and feast your way through this all-day immersive experience.
July 31, 2025
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Kurikoma Festival Float Making Experience
This hands-on experience offers the rare opportunity to help construct the floats which are paraded up and down the streets during the summer Kurikoma Festival.
October 30, 2025
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Geibikei Gorge River Cruise
Drift through the Geibikei gorge, one of the most beautiful places in Japan, in a boat propelled by an oarsman maneuvering it with a single long pole. You may even get the chance to enjoy an “oarsman experience” in which you can try propelling the boat yourself!
July 30, 2025
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Private Night Tour of Historical Zuihoden
In this special experience, make a night visit the mausoleum of Date Masamune, the samurai who built the foundation of Sendai. After a special viewing of the main hall, enjoy a performance of Japanese musical instruments in a solemn atmosphere, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience at this remarkable place.
January 24, 2025
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Samurai Spirit Experience
Experience what it felt like to be a retainer of the castle town of the Sendai Date clan. You will have the opportunity to try out drawing a real sword, which is something you don’t usually get to do, and try out tea at the Zangetsu-tei teahouse, where you will experience the mindset of a samurai.
January 24, 2025
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Sake Brewery Tour (Kanenoi Shuzo)
On this private brewery tour, we invite you to visit for a tour of this incredible natural water source and the sake brewery in Miyagi Prefecture. Afterwards, delight in the subtle flavors of this incomparable sake in a guided a tasting session with one of the sake makers.
July 30, 2025
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Mini Tatami Mat Workshop
Established in 1836, Tadami Kogyosho is a tatami mat maker with a long history.This hands-on experience offers guests the opportunity to use the tools of a tatami craftsman to make their own mini tatami mat. Select from some 10 kinds of tatami mat bases, and over 300 styles of tatami mat borders. After selecting your base and border, make your original mini tatami mat—the only one like it in the world!
October 23, 2025
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Private Performance: Hayakawa-ryu Suzunome Yatsushika Odori deer dance
Enjoy a private performance of the Yatsu Shika Odori deer dance, a folk performing art from the Kurihara Ichihasama area with a 400-year history, which has been registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Miyagi Prefecture.
October 29, 2025
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Digital Detox in Miyagi’s Northern Mountains
Experience true freedom and tranquility in the remote mountains of Miyagi at an onsen ryokan without electricity. With only lamps to light your way, digitally detox and experience nature to the fullest. Includes full English language support.
October 10, 2025
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Samurai Armor Dressing Experience at Shiroishi Castle
Step into the world of samurai warriors and feel the spirit of history as you become a Sengoku warlord for a day.
January 8, 2026
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Hiraizumi Club — Private Traditional Villa Stay
Nestled at the foot of Mount Tabashine in the World Heritage town of Hiraizumi, this renovated 150-year-old Japanese house offers an exclusive stay for one group per day. Surrounded by tranquil rice fields and rural scenery, it provides a refined retreat where time flows gently and tradition lives on.
January 8, 2026
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Highlights of Sendai Tour Package
Sendai is a dynamic and historically significant city bursting with culture, history, nature, and tradition. On this tour, hit Sendai’s top sightseeing destinations, experience hands-on cultural, culinary and crafting experiences, and get to know the tradition and culture of this fascinating city.
June 28, 2024
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Kokeshi Doll Painting Experience
The kokeshi doll, born in the Tohoku region first as a toy, took on new life as an item travelers visiting the hot springs of the region would take back with them as a souvenir. In this experience, paint their own original kokeshi doll using the same kind of brushes and electric lathe the artisans themselves do.
October 23, 2025
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Sanriku Seafood Sabbatical
From oyster fishing and cooking in Ishinomaki to the seafood auction of Shiogama, Japan’s sushi capital, delight in the delectable seafood of the Miyagi coastline on this three day, two night gastronomy tour.
October 10, 2025
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Zasu Pottery at Hanayama: Gallery and Anagama (Traditional Wood-Fired Kiln) Tour
Zasu Pottery is one of the few remaining anagama (traditional wood-fired kilns) in the Tohoku region, continuing the tradition of producing unglazed, natural-fired pottery. Their work features everyday tableware as well as flower vases, tea utensils, and art objects, blending traditional techniques with designs that fit modern lifestyles.
During the experience, you will tour the old-style anagama kiln while listening to explanations from the pottery master.
January 8, 2026
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Date Masamune Culture: Suzume Odori Dance in Sendai’s Ryokusaikan
Learn the Suzume Odori, a traditional dance passed down from the times of the samurai. Enjoy the traditions of the samurai and townspeople from Sendai’s castle town days.
January 23, 2025
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A Journey into Marumori’s Silk Farming Culture and Silk Heritage
Experience Japan’s traditional sericulture (silkworm farming) in Marumori Town, Miyagi Prefecture, once renowned for a prosperous silk industry. Through exchanges with local farmers and artisans, you can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities related to silkworms and silk.
January 8, 2026
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Samurai Adventure Tour of Miyagi
Immerse yourself in all things Samurai on this 4 day, 3 night tour. Start in the Samurai town of Shiroishi, enjoy private tours of Date Samurai history hotspots in Sendai and Matsushima, and get in on the action in Tome with a Yagyu Shingan-ryu experience. Wind down your trip with a stay in a luxurious traditional onsen ryokan
October 10, 2025
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Yagyu Shingan-ryu Martial Arts Experience
Observe the sophisticated techniques of Yagyu Shingan-ryu sword style in action on the Mori Butai Stage at the Tome City Dento Geino Densho-kan, then try out some of the techniques for yourself!
July 30, 2025
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Shiroishi Washi Fan Making Experience
This is an experience of making a fan using Shiroishi washi paper, a traditional product of Shiroishi City that is registered as a “Traditional Craft of Miyagi Prefecture.” Each piece of washi paper is hand-dyed, making it strong and durable, and each one is unique, with a different look.
January 8, 2026
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Shiogama Tuna Auction and Fishmarket Tour
See the tuna auction and morning market of Shiogama through this locally guided day trip from Sendai. This tour incudes lunch.
August 19, 2025
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Discovering Sendai: Anime Special Interest Tour
Boasting deep history and tradition and surrounded by nature, Sendai is a dynamic and fascinating city. On this tour, hit top sightseeing spots and sites of special interest to anime/manga fans. Try hands-on cultural and creative experiences, and enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant northeastern city.
June 30, 2024
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