Miyagi Prefecture: Islands, Kokeshi and Hot Springs

Islands, Lakes and Autumn Gorges

Matsushima Prefectural Natural Park is considered the oldest natural park in Miyagi Prefecture. It extends across Shiogama, Higashimatsushima, Matsushima, Shichigahama and Rifu. Its landscape includes more than 260 islands, formed by subsidence and erosion, as well as long, narrow capes that enclose an inner bay. The combination of islands and a sheltered bay gives the coastal landscape its distinctive character.

In the north of the prefecture lies the Izunuma–Uchinuma lowland lake area. Its total area is 491 hectares, of which 387 hectares are water. Kejo-numa offers another natural highlight: this wetland is an important wintering ground for migrating geese, including Bean Geese and Aleutian Cackling Geese. Those interested in nature observation will also find the Izunuma–Uchinuma Sanctuary Center nearby. It introduces the wetlands’ natural environment and human and social surroundings, and offers facilities for nature observation and education.

Volcanic landscapes are also among the experiences in the surrounding area. Katanuma was formed by a volcanic eruption and is a highly acidic crater lake; boats and a walking path are available there. Naruko Gorge, meanwhile, is a four-kilometer-long, U-shaped gorge with unusual rock formations and cliffs 80 to 100 meters high. In autumn, you can see the changing foliage among these formations. The gorge combines striking geology with a distinct seasonal appeal.

Kokeshi, Shrines and Local Cuisine

In the Naruko Onsen area, written sources and oral traditions suggest that Naruko Kokeshi have been made since the late Edo period. These Kokeshi are characterized by a head fitted into the body: when turned, it makes a squeaking sound. The Japan Kokeshi Museum displays Kokeshi from various parts of Tohoku. Visitors can watch craftspeople demonstrate woodworking and painting, and paint their own Kokeshi. The focus is on both the craft itself and its distinctive construction.

In Sendai, Zuihoden, the mausoleum of the warlord Date Masamune, and the ruins of Sendai Castle recall the region’s history. The stone walls of the castle grounds are well preserved; the site is considered a particularly valuable example of a castle from Japan’s early modern period. Shiogama Shrine is believed to be about 1,000 years old and is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Tohoku. The traditional Sendai Tanabata Festival, associated with Date Masamune, is one of the region’s signature summer festivals; its dates vary from year to year.

For a culinary highlight, visit Shiogama Fish Market, where you can make your own My Donburi by choosing fresh fish toppings for rice. This is a different way to spend an outing than visiting a shrine or a landscape—with choosing the toppings as an experience in its own right.

Hot Spring Towns and Outdoor Experiences

The Naruko Onsen area lies in the north of Miyagi Prefecture, at the headwaters of the Eai River, also called the Arakawa River. It comprises five hot spring areas: Naruko Onsen, Higashi-Naruko Onsen, Kawatabi Onsen, Nakayamadaira Onsen and Onikōbe Onsen. In Akiu, records of the healing hot springs date back 1,500 years. If you’d like to add some exercise to your outing, Rairai Gorge has a 650-meter-long, wooded trail along a gorge slope; a round trip takes 40 to 50 minutes.

Togatta Onsen has two communal bathhouses supplied by a 68°C hot spring. There is also a free foot bath beside Kamanoyu, which may be temporarily closed. These options offer different experiences: the bathhouses are communal baths, while the foot bath offers a separate, shorter opportunity to relax. Check whether the foot bath is open before visiting.

Other experiences in the surrounding area include Manga Island on Tashirojima, established as part of an island revitalization project inspired by manga and offering, among other things, camping, as well as the Ogama lookout on the ria coast. The area features rock formations shaped by wave erosion, including the marble pillar Oreishi, a signature landscape of Sanriku Reconstruction National Park. Which of these experiences appeals to you most can help guide your vacation rental search: choose a focus such as island and coastal landscapes, crafts, hot spring towns or nature observation. For travel to Sendai from Tokyo, the JR Tōhoku Shinkansen is one option; the journey takes about 90 minutes, though this can vary depending on the service.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Sendai, Shiroishi, Ōsaki, Ishinomaki, Kinosaki, Miya, Kesennuma, Arahama, Taiwa, Zao, Watari, Shichikashuku, Tagajō, Miyagi District, Kami District, Tome, Higashimatsushima, Shiogama, Misato, Minamisanriku, Kurihara, Matsushima, Shichigahama.

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