Sendai Japanese Heritage: In-depth Travel is Trending

Ohsaki Hachimangu Shrine in Sendai. (Photo / Provided by Kaimo PR)

The 1,200-year-old Shiogama Shrine. (Photo / Provided by Kaimo PR)

Night view of Sendai City. (Photo / Provided by Kaimo PR)

Date Masamune, the first lord of the Sendai Domain, remembered for his image as the "One-Eyed Dragon" samurai, was not only a master strategist on the battlefield but also an art-loving cultural figure who nurtured a rich lifestyle culture in the Sendai region. With his open and bold personality, Date Masamune built upon the traditional culture of the Date family, blending the Momoyama culture from Kyoto with the Nanban (Southern Barbarian) culture from the West to form a unique new aesthetic concept that has been passed down to this day.

As a result, in 2016, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs designated the “Date Culture” cultivated by Date Masamune as a “Japanese Heritage.” It includes architectural craftsmanship, poetry, calligraphy, painting, clothing and textiles, tea ceremony culture, and traditional festivals. By visiting the Sendai Xi Zaozao area, you can experience the culture of the Sendai Domain created jointly by Date Masamune and successive lords in one go, while also feeling the enduring influence of “Date Culture” on the daily lives of local citizens.

Sendai Castle stands atop Aoba Mountain at an elevation of 130 meters, with surrounding cliffs forming a natural defense—making it a strategic stronghold for Date Masamune against threats of war. The luxurious and splendid architecture symbolized Date Masamune’s ambition to rival the culture of Kyoto. Unfortunately, the main structure did not survive, and today only the towering stone walls remain, along with a bronze statue of Date Masamune on horseback overlooking the magnificent cityscape below.

Inside the Aoba Castle Information Exhibition Hall in the park, not only are precious historical artifacts displayed—including handwritten documents by Date Masamune, samurai armor and costumes, and wedding dowry items of the Date family—but there is also an exhibition hall that screens a 17-year CG-animated simulation of Sendai Castle. The animation offers a glimpse into how Date Masamune recruited renowned craftsmen from Kyoto at great expense to build the resplendent Sendai Castle. Surrounded by lush forests and offering commanding views, it is a popular leisure destination for visitors throughout the year, whether for night views, cherry blossoms in spring, or autumn foliage.

To experience the architectural culture passed down by Date Masamune, Zuihoden is an essential destination. Nestled among a forest of cedar trees, Zuihoden is the mausoleum of the Date family, enshrining successive lords of the Sendai Domain. Its lavish use of color and splendid carvings are the defining features of Momoyama-style architecture. Designated as a national treasure in 1931, Zuihoden unfortunately burned down during World War II air raids. Although the current structures are post-war reconstructions, they are meticulously crafted from century-old Aomori hinoki cypress wood. The elegantly colored interior, ornate carvings, and lacquered transom panels reflect the grand architectural techniques of the time.

During the reconstruction process, many precious burial items were unearthed, including incense utensils and stationery, which are displayed in the park’s information hall. The only structure that survived the war unscathed is the stone stairway leading to Zuihoden. Legend says the number of steps symbolizes the Sendai Domain’s rice production of 620,000 koku. Lined with ancient trees nearly 400 years old, visitors walking up the steps are immersed not only in the splendid architectural culture of the Date family but also in the natural charm that earned Sendai the title of “Forest Capital.”

Also designated as a national treasure, Ohsaki Hachimangu Shrine was built by Date Masamune over 12 years with the help of renowned craftsmen of the time. It is the oldest surviving “gongen-zukuri” style shrine in Japan and also represents the oldest extant example of Azuchi-Momoyama architectural culture in the country. The intricate carvings are painted in vibrant colors, complemented by abundant metal fittings and detailed murals painted by artists of the Kano school inside the worship hall, creating a dazzlingly gorgeous atmosphere hailed as a masterpiece of Momoyama architecture.

Here, you can not only admire traditional architectural styles but also experience ancient festival culture. For example, the “Matsuburi Festival” held annually on January 14th involves burning kadomatsu (New Year’s pine decorations) according to ancient rites to pray for health, safety, and prosperous business. This ancient ritual is recorded in the 1850 publication “Sendai Nenjū Gyōji Emaki” (Illustrated Scroll of Annual Events in Sendai). Other important annual events include the Noh Kagura performances on September 14th and the Yabusame ritual on September 15th, allowing visitors to gain deeper insight into local culture.

The 1,200-year-old Shiogama Shrine is regarded as the guardian deity of Mutsu Province in the Northeast. The shrine enshrines Shiotsuchi-no-Omikami, the deity governing maritime safety, tidal changes, and salt-making. Since ancient times, the deity has been seen as a symbol of bountiful harvests and national peace, revered not only by the local Sendai lords of the Date family but also highly respected by the imperial court.

Located on Mount Ishimori, Shiogama Shrine not only features an elegant Japanese garden within its grounds but also offers a commanding view of the scattered islands in Matsushima Bay. The shrine’s museum houses swords offered by successive lords, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of artisans of the time. The “Haten Festival” on March 10th and the “Hana Festival” on the fourth Monday of April are two major celebrations with centuries-old traditions. The grand processions involving locals carrying ornately decorated mikoshi (portable shrines) weighing up to one ton are still preserved in local cultural practices, serving as intangible cultural assets passed down alongside the faith in Shiogama Shrine.