Sendai, Capital city in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Sendai is the capital of Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan, stretching between the Nanakita and Hirose rivers from mountainous terrain in the west to coastal plains in the east. The city is organized around wide avenues and low buildings, with shopping arcades extending over several blocks and parks distributed throughout residential areas.
Date Masamune founded the city in 1600 and established it as an administrative center for the northeastern region. His influence shaped the broad layout of streets and the strategic position between mountains and sea, which gave the city importance over the following centuries.
The Tanabata Festival in August transforms the shopping arcades with handmade paper decorations that dangle from storefronts, some stretching several stories high. Visitors can walk through the covered streets and watch locals admire the displays, participate in traditional activities like writing wishes on colored paper, and enjoy street performances throughout the day.
A loop bus connects main sites like the Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, Zuihoden Mausoleum, and Aoba Castle ruins, offering a convenient way to orient yourself around the city. Most major attractions sit within a compact area, so visitors can also walk or cycle between locations if they prefer a slower pace.
Japanese zelkova trees line the main streets and form green tunnels over the sidewalks, which earned the city its nickname as the City of Trees. This tree species was deliberately chosen because it grew quickly after the Second World War and helped restore the urban landscape after destruction.
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