The Tohoku region is known as the “back garden of Japan.” Aside from its abundant natural beauty, the region’s rustic countryside scenery leaves a lasting first impression on visitors. In fact, Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture is the political and economic hub of the Tohoku region. The Hirose River flows through the city center, where tree-lined boulevards and lush green parks are found throughout. If you’re looking to experience both urban and rural tranquility, Sendai is the perfect destination.
Sendai also goes by the nickname “City of Trees.” The city’s greenery is especially stunning along Aoba-dori and the zelkova-tree-lined Jozenji-dori. This city, established over 300 years ago by Date Masamune and a bustling castle town during the Edo period, is now the most prosperous city in the Tohoku region. With a well-connected subway system and other transportation networks, it’s convenient for both shopping and exploring historical sites.
Food is one of the cultural representations of a city. When it comes to Sendai’s must-try delicacy, there’s no doubt that it’s “beef tongue.” The Tohoku region boasts abundant produce and diverse cuisine, where dishes don’t rely on flashy presentation but rather compete with genuine, high-quality ingredients—and beef tongue is its standout representative. Sendai beef tongue is famous throughout Japan. When grilled, it comes in thick, hearty slices—nearly 1 cm thick—completely different from the thin and expensive slices typically served at Japanese yakiniku restaurants. The tradition of beef tongue in Japanese BBQ restaurants dates back to around 1935 (Showa 10), when the founder of the renowned beef tongue restaurant “Ajitsuke” learned the technique of preparing beef tongue from the French and refined it through repeated research to suit Japanese grilling preferences. Charcoal-grilled beef tongue has a crispy, caramelized exterior and a tender yet slightly chewy texture, offering endless flavor.
After filling your stomach, it’s time for a feast for the soul. On Sendai’s Jozenji-dori, you’ll find a modern building entirely covered in glass—a structure designed by the renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito and grandly opened in 2001 as the “Sendai Mediatheque.” This building centers around fine art and visual culture activities and combines functions such as an art gallery, library, and multimedia services. Visitors can freely use its state-of-the-art facilities without charge. Whether you’re a Sendai local or a foreign visitor, you can transcend language and cultural barriers to participate in events or gather various information.
Toyo Ito, known for using modern architectural elements like metal and glass facades to express design concepts, showcases a completely new style in the Sendai Mediatheque. The entire building is supported by 13 main steel structural columns, with thinner white steel frames forming a network structure covering the exterior. Even elevators and air conditioning equipment are housed within conical tube-like networks, while the basement is designed with a seismic-resistant structure. Under Ito’s design, every corner of the space features these signature tubular designs that create visual panels, seemingly telling the story of the space itself.
As the largest city in Tohoku, Sendai is vibrant and bustling, with irresistible food and historical culture. It’s hard to believe that this dynamic city is located in the cold and remote Tohoku region. Its beautiful, timeless green heritage makes it well worth a self-proud journey.
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