Haikyu!! Pilgrimage: Explore the Real Places Behind the Story
Haikyu!! is a volleyball manga by Haruichi Furudate that was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2012 to 2020. It depicts the passionate youth of high…
Sendai
仙台市
Things to Do in and Around Sendai
Sendai City is the largest city in the Tohoku region and is known as the "City of Trees." It features historical sites such as the ruins of Sendai Castle built by Date Masamune and the national treasure Zuigan-ji Temple. Local cuisine like beef tongue and sasa kamaboko are also attractions. Seasonal festivals, including the Tanabata Festival, are vibrant, making it a gateway to Tohoku where urban convenience and natural abundance coexist.
Where to go
Places to visit in Sendai
Real-Life Locations & Inspiration
Anime Pilgrimage
Anime and manga set in and around Sendai, and where to find their real-life locations.
Location
Where is Sendai?
Sendai City is the central city of the Tohoku region and the capital of Miyagi Prefecture. It is located in the central eastern part of Miyagi Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean, with the Ou Mountains to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The city is divided into five administrative wards: Aoba-ku, Miyagino-ku, Wakabayashi-ku, Taihaku-ku, and Izumi-ku, each forming a distinctive cityscape.
Local transport
Getting Around
Sendai City is a convenient city accessible from Tokyo in about 90 minutes via the Tohoku Shinkansen, making day trips possible. JR Sendai Station serves as the city's transportation hub, with the Sendai City Subway Namboku Line and Tozai Line connecting various parts of the city. From Sendai Airport, it takes about 30 minutes by train to reach Sendai Station. For getting around the city, the 100-yen loop bus "Loople Sendai" is convenient and ideal for touring sightseeing spots.
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Get to Know
About Sendai
Sendai City is the largest city in the Tohoku region, known as the "City of Trees." The harmonious blend of lush greenery and urban functionality leaves a pleasant impression on visitors. As a government-designated city with a population of approximately 1.08 million, it has developed as the economic, cultural, and educational center of Tohoku.
The Castle Town of Date Masamune
Sendai was developed as a castle town by Date Masamune in the early 1600s. Masamune's enterprising spirit and international perspective have influenced the open-minded atmosphere of present-day Sendai City. From the ruins of Sendai Castle, you can overlook the city and imagine the scenery Masamune once saw.
Aoba Festival
Held in May, the "Sendai Aoba Festival" celebrates Date Masamune's entry into Sendai. The vigorous "Sparrow Dance" and the luxurious parade of floats attract many tourists every year.
Tanabata Festival
The "Sendai Tanabata Festival" held in August is one of Japan's three major Tanabata festivals. The colorful streamers adorn the shopping streets, allowing visitors to enjoy the traditional craftsmanship and beauty of Tanabata decorations. It is cherished as a seasonal tradition that colors the short summer of Tohoku.
Pageant of Starlight
The "SENDAI Pageant of Starlight" is a representative winter event in Sendai. The zelkova trees along Jozenji Street are decorated with approximately 600,000 LEDs, creating a fantastical corridor of light. The combination of snowy scenery and lights is breathtakingly beautiful.
Birthplace of Grilled Beef Tongue
Sendai is known as the birthplace of "grilled beef tongue." This dish, devised by butcher Keishiro Sano after World War II, has become a representative specialty of Sendai. Thick slices of beef tongue grilled over charcoal and enjoyed with special salt or sauce are a must-try for visitors.
Sasakamaboko
"Sasakamaboko," made by shaping fresh fish paste into a bamboo leaf shape and grilling it, is also a representative food of Sendai. Its elegant taste, which brings out the flavor of the ingredients, is popular as a souvenir.
Zunda Mochi
"Zunda Mochi," made by coating mochi with "zunda" (mashed edamame), is a traditional confectionery of Sendai. Its vivid green color and natural sweetness are distinctive, and nowadays, various arrangements like zunda shakes can also be enjoyed.
Academic City
Sendai City, also known as "Gakuto Sendai," is home to many higher education institutions, including Tohoku University. Tohoku University, in particular, is a leading research university in Japan, having produced multiple Nobel laureates. The vibrant energy of young students blends into the city, creating a cultural atmosphere.
Anime "Haikyu!!" Pilgrimage Site
The model for Karasuno High School, attended by the protagonist Shoyo Hinata in the popular volleyball anime "Haikyuu!!," is said to be a school in Sendai City. The "Sendai Station" and surrounding landscapes depicted in the series are faithfully drawn from the actual scenery, making it a pilgrimage site for fans from Japan and abroad.
