Miyagi - prefecture of Japan
Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県 Miyagi-ken) is in the northeastern Tohoku region of the main Japan island Honshu.
On 11th March 2011 the prefecture was hit by an earthquake with a 8.9 magnitude followed by a tsunami and several aftershocks. The Shinkansen connecting the capital, Sendai, with Tokyo resumed service on 25 April 2011. While areas along the coast are still heavily damaged, the rest of the prefecture is operating as usual.
Understand
Miyagi prefecture has nothing to do with Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid.
Cities
- Sendai — The prefectural capital
- Ishinomaki — An industrial and fishery port town, home to the Mangattan Manga Museum. There is also a very beautiful sawtooth coast line.
- Kesennuma — Northern city in the prefecture where fishery market is famous. Delicious abalone, sea urchin, shark fin and various kind of fish are available.
- Matsushima — A bay of craggy pine islands, traditionally considered one of Japan's Top 3 views.
- Shiroishi — Shiroishi Castle and Miyagi Zao Fox Village (and its wild foxes) are the main reasons to visit
- Shiogama
- Wakuya
Other destinations
- Akiu — a hot spring town located in Sendai City.
- Kinkasan — Gold mining mountain just off the coast.
- Naruko — hot spring resort deep in the mountains.
- Sakunami — small hot spring town located near Sendai.
- Tashirojima — known as "Cat Island"
Get in
Sendai is the largest city in Tohoku and hence its main transportation hub.
By plane
Sendai's airport serves domestic and some international flights.
By train
The Tohoku Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Sendai and points north.
By bus
Get around
See
Do
Eat
- Gyu-tan — grilled cow tongues with salt or miso are traditionally the famous dish in Sendai. On the second floor of Sendai Station, you can find several restaurants dedicated to this local favorite.
- Sushi — There are many sushi restaurants in Sendai and coastal locations.
Drink
There are excellent sake brands, namely Urakasumi and Ichinokura, but there are also plenty of other sake brands.