Smile Palace Series (1) / Post-Disaster Recovery: Easy Travel in Miyagi for Backpackers

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin

 

The long summer vacation is about to begin, and for students who enjoy independent travel, besides domestic trips, nearby Japan is also a very popular destination. Located in northeastern Japan, Miyagi Prefecture was hit hard by the Great East Japan Earthquake last year. Local guides say that compared to before the earthquake, the number of foreign tourists visiting Miyagi has dropped by 40%. However, by the end of April last year, key railway transportation and famous attractions within Miyagi Prefecture had gradually resumed operations. As of May 31 this year, disaster-affected areas such as Sendai Airport, Matsushima and Shiogama in the coastal region have largely returned to normal in terms of tourist facilities and railway transport. Even backpackers can easily explore Miyagi.

Sendai Airport in Miyagi Prefecture was severely damaged by the tsunami. After six months of emergency repairs, it fully resumed operations on September 25 of last year, and the Taipei–Sendai route was reopened in late October. Currently, a corner of the airport lobby displays photos taken after the tsunami. Compared to the chaos captured in those images, today’s Sendai Airport shows no signs of ever having been hit by a tsunami. As for downtown Sendai, it showcases the vibrancy of Japan’s largest city in the Tohoku region, with bustling crowds reflecting the city’s energy.

Matsushima, along with Amanohashidate and Itsukushima, is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Views, and is a must-visit spot for Taiwanese tour groups traveling to the Tohoku region of Japan. Thanks to the wave-dissipating effect of the more than 260 small islands in Matsushima Bay, the area suffered less damage compared to other regions. Nearby attractions, including the Five-Story Pagoda (a Japanese cultural heritage site) and the national treasure Ryoanji Temple, are all open to visitors. Regarding sightseeing cruises in Matsushima Bay, local cruise operators report that about 70% of the fleet has resumed service, with cruises available from either Matsushima Tourist Port or Shiogama Tourist Port. In terms of railway transport, services including the Shinkansen, JR conventional lines, and Sendai Subway have largely resumed, except for the routes to Kesennuma, Ishinomaki, and some areas close to the coast, which remain suspended. For those suspended routes, shuttle bus services have been arranged to accommodate passengers.