10 Great Day Trip Destinations From Sendai

Above, Sendai Station was featured in Godzilla and Gamera movies. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Years ago, I first heard of Sendai, Japan when discussing my dad's Army service during the Korean War with him. 

Before being sent to South Korea, he was stationed in Sendai as a military policeman (MP). I visited Sendai in 2006 and went to Godaido Temple at Matsushima where he posed for a photo in his MP uniform. I had a local take a photo of me at almost the same spot as my dad.

Above, Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan in Sendai. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While in Sendai, I stayed at a ryokan (Japanese inn).

There are many things to see and do in Sendai and the surrounding area. I took a Matsushima Bay boat cruise during my visit.

Above, a Matsushima Bay islet. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Experience has posted an article on 10 great day trip destinations from Sendai. 

They begin it with:

Sendai is the capital of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tohoku Region. The city of Sendai itself encapsulates much of the major appeal of Japanese culture, but another great aspect is the medley of great day trips that are accessible from here! Take a look at 10 of our favorite spots that can be easily reached from Sendai for some unique adventures!

The city of Sendai, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a destination that encapsulates Japan as a country—where a modern and sprawling cityscape is located upon the grounds of dynamic shogunate history with rich nature surrounding it. 

It is the largest city in the Tohoku Region that makes up the northern part of Honshu Island and is easily accessible from Tokyo, being only around a 2-hour Shinkansen bullet train ride from the Japanese capital. 

To read more, go here. 

Japan's Golden Week's Travel Bug

Above, yours truly at Godaido Temple in Matsushima in 2006.

Millions of Japanese are hitting the airports, train and bus stations to celebrate Golden Week.

I was in Japan during Golden Week back in 2006 and I remember how crowded the train stations got. I took a bullet train (Shinkansen) trip up to Sendai and Matsushima. 

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Millions of Japanese started their Golden Week holidays by crowding train stations and airports as they headed to their holiday destinations and hometowns.

Overseas travel was out of the question for many people due to the weak yen.

Predictably, JR Tokyo Station was packed to the rafters as people started fleeing the capital April 27 to spend the holiday period with family members and friends.

Travel departures are expected to reach their peak on May 3, with return trips hitting their busiest on May 5 and 6, according to Japan Railway group companies. The Nozomi trains on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines will operate with all seats reserved until May 6.

To read more, go here.

Japan In Spring

Above, Matsushima's Godaido Temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Around about now, it is cherry blossom season in Japan. I was able to see them back in 2006 during my bullet train trip to Sendai and Matsushima from Tokyo.

There are other things to see and do during springtime in Japan and Good Housekeeping has posted a guide to them.

They begin with:

With ski season in Hokkaido (the northernmost island) in full flow in winter, picturesque floral phenomena in spring, dazzling firework festivals in summer and fiery-red leaf displays in autumn, Japan is truly a year-round long-haul destination.

Japan's ever-popular cherry blossom season, when the sakura flowers come into bloom and decorate the country with delicate pink petals, does make springtime an obvious choice for visiting, however, and it wouldn't disappoint for those wanting to partake in hanami (the custom of admiring the beauty of the flowers).

But there's plenty more to spring in Japan than just cherry blossom, as you'll find out in this essential guide. From catching the plum blossom (there's not only cherry!) to colourful street parades, discover why spring is one of the best times to visit Japan. Be wary of busy Golden Week, though, about which we'll explain. Here's everything you need to know about Japan in spring... 

To read more, go here. 

Great East Japan Earthquake 10th Anniversary

Above, some of the islets in Matsushima Bay that acted as buffers against the tsunami. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is now March 11 in Japan. 

This day marks the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake (a.k.a. Tohoku Earthquake).

At 14:46 hours in Japan (2:46 PM) and 9:46 PM March 10 in Los Angeles, the earthquake struck and then the massive tsunami hit the Tohoku region.

From Wikipedia:

The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tōhoku occurred at 14:46 JST on 11 March. The magnitude 9.0–9.1 undersea megathrust earthquake had an epicenter east of the Oshika Peninsula of Tōhoku.  

15,899 deaths, +2 (Overseas), 6,157 injured, 2,529 people missing

Above, my dad at Godaido Temple in 1951.

I was working patrol that night in the Burbank Hills when I received a call (or text) from my supervisor telling me about the earthquake. He knew of my interest in Japan and I had brought him a Godzilla figure from my December 2010 trip to Japan. I immediately flipped on the radio to listen to the news reports coming from Japan. Hearing how bad the quake and tsunami were, I checked with some Japanese friends to see if their families and friends were okay. 

I had visited the Tohoku region of Japan in April 2006 to visit Sendai and Matsushima. My dad was briefly stationed there before being sent to South Korea during the Korean War. He had sent a photo of himself in his military police uniform in front of the Godaido Temple at Matsushima in 1951. I had a photo of myself taken at the same spot by one of the locals. Before having the photo taken, I had showed him the photo of my dad there. He found it fascinating.

Above, yours truly at Godaido Temple in 2006.

In the days that followed, I watched the news reports to see how Sendai and Matsushima fared during the earthquake and tsunami. Of particular interest to me was if Godaido Temple survived. Others online were wondering the same thing. 

After a while, we saw a photo (below) posted in a CNN News report showing Matsushima. Barely discernable was Godaido Temple. It withstood the quake and tsunami. Matsushima was lucky, for the tiny islets that dot the bay acted as buffers against the tsunami, so the temple and coastal buildings were spared the brunt with only some flooding.

Above, Godaido Temple following the tsunami (above and left of the word "next").

Sendai had some massive flooding, particularly at the airport, but it was able to recover. The ryokan I stayed at in 2006 is still in business. 

After the initial shock over the devastation, the world responded with aid and donations. My bank's ATM had a special screen feature for making donations for Tohoku earthquake and tsunami relief. I made a donation through this.

It was a night I certainly won't forget.

Happy Veterans Day!

Above, my dad at Godaido temple in Matsushima,
 Japan in 1951 during the Korean War.

Today is Veterans Day, where we Americans take note of the contributions our military veterans have made to keep the U.S. and much of the word free. 

Thank you for your service!

Japan Today: Matsushima's Moods and Marvels

Above, one of Matsushima's islets. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2006, I went up to Matsushima in the Tohoku region of Japan to see where my dad was briefly stationed during the Korean War.

He had sent my mom a photo of himself in his military police uniform in front of the Godaido temple at Matsushima's harbor. I had a local take a photo of me at roughly the same location. After this, I took a cruise that took me around the islets in Matsushima Bay.

Above, yours truly at Godaido in 2006.

Matsushima has often been compared to Carmel-By-The-Sea in California for its scenic beauty. 

Japan Today has posted an article on the moods and marvels of Matsushima.

They start it off with:

MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi - Matsushima, on the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, is widely regarded as one of Japan’s three most scenic destinations, thanks to the pine-dotted islands in its broad bay. For good reason, it has been a popular travel destination for centuries (literally!). It has great natural beauty, religious and historical sites, and delightful local culture.

Cruising the bay

The “must do” activity at Matsushima is a sightseeing cruise around the bay to enjoy the scenery of the bay’s 260 islands.  Although tsunami waters found their way here in March 2011, thanks to the bay’s south-facing opening to the sea and the position of many islands at the mouth of the bay, the inundation was not as bad as at other areas of coastal Tohoku, and the area has recovered well.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Cheapo: Guide To Matsushima

Above, a view of Matsushima Bay islets from a tour boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thirteen years ago, I took a shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai so I could visit the area where my dad was briefly stationed before being sent to South Korea during he Korean War. I spent a couple of days wandering around Matsushima and Sendai. After this, I headed back to Tokyo to attend the premiere of Gamera The Brave.

Above, my dad at Matsushima in 1951. 

One of the prized family photos is one of my dad standing in front of the Godaido Temple at Matsushima Bay in his MP uniform. During my visit, I had one of the locals take a similar photo of me.

Above, yours truly in front of Godaido temple in 2006.

During my visit to Matsushima, I took a boat tour of the bay, which included passing around the many tiny islets.

Japan Cheapo has a guide to Matsushima that should prove to be useful for first time visitors.

They begin it with:

A short train ride out of the city of Sendai lies Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture. A small town on an island-dotted bay so beautiful that it rendered famous poet Matsuo Basho speechless. And not much left Basho lost for words: he managed a haiku about this gorgeous place, after all. Four hundred years later, Matsushima has lost none of its charms. Still considered one of the Three Great Views of Japan, the Bay of Pines rewards visitors with temples, bridges, caves and islands, with a view at every turn. In this article we explore the temple complex of Zuiganji, the island of Fukuurajima, and a one or two other drawcards.

To read more, go here. 

New Tohoku Campaign Launched

Above, Godaido temple at Matsushima. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2006, I took a trip up Honshu to visit Sendai and Matsushima to see where my dad was briefly stationed during the Korean War.

I found the scenery in Matsushima comparable to Carmel, California.

Now, the Japan National Tourism Organization is launching a campaign to showcase the Tohoku region of Japan.

According to Breaking Travel News:

The Japan National Tourism Organisation has announced the launch of a new website and video series dedicated to the Tohoku region, the hidden gem of northern Japan. 

The organisation worked with Nathan Thornburgh and Matt Goulding, founders of travelogue and publishing house, Roads & Kingdoms, to produce a series of captivating videos which showcase the breadth and depth of the region. 

“Nathan Thornburgh and Matt Goulding’s style of journalism is extremely unique, as are the wonders of Japan’s Tohoku region,” said Keita Kadowaki, executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organisation in Los Angeles.

To read more, go here. 

9 Vacations To Help-Rebuild Japan's Disaster Hit Regions

Above, Godaido temple in Matsushima. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Several areas of Japan had been struck by severe earthquakes initially struggled to repair attractions and tourist facilities or were able to re-open relatively fast. But the tourists did not come.

Gaijnpot.com has an article on nine vacations people can take in these areas to help them rebuild their tourism industry.

The article begins with:

On a whole, these days tourism in Japan has never looked healthier. At the same time, some of the country’s outlying areas have faced their own set of tourism challenges. Following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that ripped apart the Tohoku region, many of the region’s cities faced double devastation, as much of the area’s tourism industry was also heavily affected. 

Something similar happened in Kyushu two years ago, when, in April 2016, an earthquake shocked Kumamoto leaving much of the area in rubble. Tourism forecasts there are not looking much better. 

Now — seven years after the Tohoku quake and two years after the Kumamoto temblor — the areas have shown an unbelievable level of resilience, and in terms of tourism plenty of the areas are back in action. However what they need now is an injection of tourism, which is why both areas are well worth exploring on your next Japan adventure. 

Above, Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan in Sendai. I stayed there in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

18 Years Ago...

Above, my dad in front of Godaido temple in Matsushima, Japan in 1951.

It seems like whenever an immediate family member passes away, time seems to accelerate. I don't know if it is just me who notices this or if anyone else gets the same feeling.

It was 18 years ago today that my dad passed away from lymphoma. At times, it seems like just the other day and at other times, it seems ages ago.

My mom passed away ten years and one month after my dad. I miss them both to this day.

Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan

Above, Godaido temple at Matsushima Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do you know what places in Japan are considered to be the most scenic?

If you don't, that's okay. Because Goin' Japanesque has the answer in a new article.

It begins with:

Today, we have an article about the Nihon Sankei, the most scenic spots of Japan. These places have captured the hearts of Japanese people and also have been depicted in the Ukiyo-e of Utagawa Hiroshige. This article juxtaposes the ukiyo-e and the modern day photos to see the comparison. Photo: https://www.flickr.com/

What is the Nihon Sankei 

日本三景 

The Nihon Sankei, or the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan refer to the three locations, Matsushima, Amanohashidate and Miyajima. It has been a yearned for travel destination for Japanese since long ago and can be said to be the origins of travelling. The reason these three sites came to be recognized originates in the writings of Confucian scholar, Hayashi Gaho. In his writings, “Nihon-koku Jisekikou (Review of Things about Japan)” he wrote that these sites had the most amazing view. There have been poetry, artwork and other historical documents siting these places and praising their extraordinary view.

Of the three, I have been to Miyajima and Matsushima.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Observes 5th Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake

Above, Godaido and Matsushima after the tsunami.

It hardly seems like five years have now passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster struck the Tohoku region of Japan. I remember getting a phone call from my supervisor telling me about the quake. I had visted Japan three months earlier and brought him a Godzilla toy.

I spent the rest of my graveyard shift that night checking news reports and chatting with friends. Having been through the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, I had empathy with those in the affected areas, but the Northridge Earthquake paled in comparison to what was happening in Japan.

In the days following, I followed the news reports on the disaster. I was particularly interested in how Matsushima Bay (near Sendai) and the Godaido Hall fared. I visited there in 2007 as it was one of the areas my father was briefly stationed during the Korean War. I was relieved to see that Godaido Hall survived the tsunami. If it weren't for the 200 tiny islets in the bay blunting the force of the tsunami, it would not have survived.

The Japan Times reported:

At 2:46 p.m. Friday, millions of people observed a moment of silence across Japan as the country marked the fifth anniversary of the March 2011 quake and tsunami that devastated coastal areas of the Tohoku region, killing at least 19,304 and leaving an additional 2,561 still unaccounted for as of Thursday. 

The anniversary comes as about 174,000 evacuees from disaster-hit areas are still living outside their damaged hometowns.

To read more, go here.

10 Reasons To Visit Tohoku

Above, Matsushima Bay and the Godaido Temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2006, I visited Sendai and Matsushima in Tohoku to see where my dad was briefly stationed before being shipped over to Korea during the Korean War.

I especially enjoyed Matsushima Bay with its views of islets that are sprinkled throughout the bay.

There are other reasons to visit Tohoku and Inside Japan Tours has listed ten of them, one of which is Matsushima.

They begin their article with:

Tohoku, the northernmost region of Japan’s main island, encompasses six prefectures and countless fascinating destinations. It is a region of wild countryside, rustic hot spring towns and deep winters spent under a thick blanket of snow, brightened by some of the country’s most impressive festivals. To the Japanese it the home of culture and legend, and it famously inspired the poet Matsuo Basho to produce his magnum opus, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, as he made his epic journey northwards in the 17th century. 

Despite its manifold charms, Tohoku remains one of the least-visited of Japan’s eight regions, and is thus one of the best places in the country to venture off the beaten track. Foreign visitors to the region are scarce, so you will be received with more than the usual hospitality and interest – quite a novelty in a world where tourists are often tolerated rather than welcomed. 

Tohoku has so many areas of interest that it was incredibly hard to choose just ten. The following represent a handful of our favourites – you’ll have to head out there yourself to find your own!

- See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/blog/2015/10/13/10-reasons-to-visit-tohoku/#sthash.CgNvIHVH.dpuf

Japanese Inns and Hotels Set New Record In 2014

Above, the Godaido temple at Matsushima Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

New Japan tourism figures for 2014 have come in and they show that Japan enjoyed a big surge in foreign tourists in Japanese hotels and inns.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

The number of "overnight guests" in Japan rose to a record high in 2014, but the disaster-stricken Tohoku region is still struggling to reel in foreign tourists. 

Japanese and foreign tourists stayed 472.32 nights at hotels and inns in Japan last year, up 1.4 percent from 2013, according to Japan Tourism Agency figures released March 26. 

The figure is ascribed to a surge in the number of foreign visitors, who stayed 44.82 million nights, up 33.8 percent. 

The comparable figure for Japanese tourists, however, dropped by 1.1 percent, with the increase in the consumption tax rate in April 2014 cited as a key factor.

Foreign tourists are missing some great scenery in the Tohoku region by not visiting. The tourist industry in Tohoku could use the big lift that increased foreign tourism would give. I visited Sendai and Matsushima Bay in 2006.

To read more, go here.

Japan Is Most Popular Asian Country For Google Street View

Above, the Matsushima Bay waterfront with Godaido Temple in backround.

The Next Web.com (TNW) is reporting that Japan is the most popular country for people who use Google Street View.

It happens that Sendai, Japan is one of the more popular places in Japan for Street View eyeballers.

According to the article:

Japan is attracting all of the attention when it comes to Google Street View — the service that provides 360-degree images of locations, landmarks and cities — in Asia. That’s according to data released by Google for the first time today. 

Now with nine countries from Asia on the service, the Internet giant has tracked global traffic to Street View in the region. The findings overwhelmingly show that Japanese places are drawing more eyeballs than anywhere else in the continent.

Near Sendai is Matsushima, one of my favorite areas of Japan. For this blog post, I did a Street View of Matsushima Bay with the Godaido Temple in the background (I visited Godaido in 2006). Street View is easy to use (I used the Japanese site for the Matsushima picture and it was still easy to use, despite not knowing Japanese), so give it a try.

To read more, go here. 

Matsushima Bay Joins "World's Most Beautiful Bays" Club

Above, Godaido Temple at Matsushima Bay in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2007, I paid a visit to Sendai and Matsushima Bay in Japan. It was somewhat a "sentimental journey" as I wanted to see where my late father was briefly stationed following the outbreak of the Korean War.

His National Guard unit was called up and sent over to Korea in 1951. Before he was sent to the Korean war zone, he was briefly stationed in Sendai and had duties there and in Matsushima Bay. He sent my mother a photo of himself in front of the Godaido Temple at Matsushima Bay. During my 2006 visit, I had a photo taken of myself at almost the exact spot.

Then came the March 11, 2010 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Matsushima Bay and Sendai were in the quake and tsunami zone. Sendai's airport was badly flooded. Some parts of Matsushima were also badly damaged. Fortunately, Matsushima Bay and Godaido Temple were spared devastating damage due to the 200 tiny islets that dot Matsushima Bay. They blunted the force of the tsunami. For a couple of days, many people, including myself, were checking the status of Godaido and Matsushima Bay. Finally, a photo was posted showing that Godaido and the businesses near it were still standing, although drenched.

Above, some of Matsushima Bay's islets. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Matsushima Bay is one of the most picturesque spots in Japan. It is often compared to Carmel, California in scenic beauty.

This scenic beauty has now been recognized as one of the world's most beautiful bays.

According to The Asahi Shimbun:

MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi Prefecture—Matsushima Bay in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture has become the first Japanese member of a France-based environmental group’s “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club,” a town official said. 

The decision was announced Dec. 6 at the club’s general meeting held in Cambodia, the official said.

Regular readers of this blog know that I have been a big advocate for visiting Matsushima Bay. Perhaps this designation will spur some of you to see it for yourselves.

To read the full article, go here. 

Tohoku Tourism Down 70% In 2012

Above, Godaido Temple in Matsushima.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While Japan as a whole enjoyed a strong recovery in incoming tourism by foreigners, the northeastern area of Japan is still mired in a post-earthquake depression.


According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Nearly one-fifth fewer people took hotel rooms in northeastern Japan in 2012 than in 2010, although tourism in other areas showed a strong recovery, government figures show. 

The Japan Tourism Agency released data on March 8 showing continued depression in the numbers of overnighters in the six prefectures of the Tohoku region, the part of Japan that was worst hit by the 2011 quake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, but which also contains large areas that were unaffected. 

Tourism industry officials say Tohoku suffers from perceptions that the entire region is either crippled or contaminated with radioactive fallout from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant accident. 

"People think of 'Tohoku' prefectures as one and the same. Recovery will be very difficult," said an official at the Japan Travel and Tourism Association.

Much of this perception originated by hysterical news reports from western news media.  The article gives an example of areas totally unaffected by the earthquake, tsunami and radiation that have seen a big drop in tourism.  This is akin to people avoiding all of Southern California if the San Onofre nuclear power plant near San Clemente were to suffer the same damage that the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered.

They wrote:

Overall, Fukushima and Akita prefectures saw the largest decline in visitors, respectively at 25.6 percent and 45.6 percent.  Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan coast, not the Pacific side where the tsunami struck.

The number of foreign tourists to the six Tohoku prefectures were down by 70% in 2012 from 2010 numbers.

To read the full article, go here.

Give Thanks To Our Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day.  Thanks to those who served and remember the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thanks also to the men and women who are currently serving in our armed forces.

There are two standouts in my family who served:

Above, my dad at the Godaido Temple in Matsushima, Japan.  He was stationed there briefly during the Korean War.

Above, my grandfather was stationed as a Seabee in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II.

Above, the Godaido temple at Matsushima Bay.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Daily Yomiuri has posted an article on the status of tourism in the Tohoku region that was hit hard last year by the earthquake and tsunami.  The article is entitled,

Tohoku tourism halfway to full recovery

In the article, they wrote:

Tourism in the Tohoku region is still only halfway to recovering to the levels seen before the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. 

 Areas affected by the March 11, 2011, disaster have had difficulty rebuilding businesses as accommodation facilities and transportation systems have not been restored.

Tourism businesses in the disaster-hit areas face the need to urgently complete preparations for hosting tourists since the inflow of people will aid reconstruction.

To read the full article, go here. 

Miyagi Prefecture Recovery

Above, the statue of Date Masamune at the site of Sendai Castle.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Los Angeles-area Japanese newspaper, The Rafu Shimpo,  has posted an article on a meeting held last month in Little Tokyo on the state of the recovery and reconstruction of Miyagi Prefecture in the aftermath of the March 11,  2011 earthquake and tsunami.

According to the article:

Approximately 100 people participated in the Miyagi earthquake recovery and tourism seminar hosted by the Miyagi prefectural government and sponsored by the Nanka Miyagi Kenjinkai on April 22 at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. Five officials from Miyagi Prefecture gave the presentation.

Above, Matsushima Bay's waterfront with the Godaido Temple in the background.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Miyagi Prefecture includes Sendai and Matsushima, both places I visited in April 2006.  The bay is dotted with tiny islands, which served to buffer Matsushima Bay from the full force of the tsunami.

Matsushima, said to be one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, suffered minimal damage as its 260 small and large islands in the bay helped decrease the power of the tsunami and preserve the beautiful scenery of this area. Even coastal regions that suffered the greatest damage have started recovering and welcoming visitors.

Above, one of the 260 tiny islands that dot Matsushima Bay that blunted the force of the tsunami.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 The Miyagi Prefectural recovery plan is moving forward in three stages:

The earthquake disaster recovery plan that Miyagi Prefecture developed last October proposes three stages to be implemented over the next 10 years: restoration (2011-2013), reconstruction (2014-2017), and development (2018-2020).

A visit to Miyagi Prefecture is one I can heartily recommend.  Besides the scenic beauty of Matsushima Bay (often compared to Carmel, California), you'd also be helping the local tourism industry with your tourist dollars.

Above, some of the Matsushima seagulls being fed by passeners aboard a Matsushima Bay tour boat.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full article, go here.