Shikama, town in Kami district, Miyagi prefecture, Japan
Shikama is a small town in Kami district, Miyagi Prefecture, where simple houses and narrow streets define the landscape. Forested hills and farmland surround the town, with rice paddies and vegetable fields stretching across the countryside.
The area was settled many centuries ago, with early villages established after a major earthquake in 715. During Japan's Sengoku period, the region was disputed by different warlord clans, and later came under the control of the Date family during the Tokugawa shogunate.
The name Shikama reflects the town's connection to its local community and heritage. Daily life centers on farmers tending their fields, neighbors gathering for seasonal festivals, and the quiet exchange of traditions through small shops and family routines.
The best time to visit is during local festivals or in spring when cherry blossoms bloom and the town appears most welcoming. The town has no train station, so visitors typically drive from nearby Sendai or Yamagata Prefecture, and walking helps you experience the town's character more fully.
The town's emblem features a stylized design with three leaves and arrowheads representing growth and community effort. The circles and triangles within the symbol reflect the connection between the people and the natural topology of the surrounding landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.