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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
See the tuna auction and morning market of Shiogama through this locally guided day trip from Sendai. This tour incudes lunch.
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.
A special ride on the retro Bonnet Bus to take in the peaceful landscape of the Kurihara countryside.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
A private guided tour that lets you experience the scenic, cultural, and historical highlights of Sendai and Matsushima all in just one day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
