Sendai Famous Nightlife in Kokubu Cho

Sendai (仙台市) is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, and the largest city (about 1,000,000 people) in the Tohoku region of Japan's Honshu island. Although Sendai is a large city, it is known throughout Japan as a modern city which is in harmony with nature. The city possesses beautiful scenery, such as the Hirose-gawa River that runs through central Sendai, and the lush Zelkova trees that line the central city. Greenery is especially abundant in the center of the city, which has tree-lined streets and parks. As a result, Sendai is called the “City of Trees.”

While Sendai is not quite as old as Tokyo or Osaka, is has quite a long history. Sendai’s numerous zelkova trees have earned it the nickname ‘City of Trees’. Although Sendai was nearly completely demolished during World War II, the city completely recovered, and sports a friendly, relaxed small-town atmosphere. You can find everything in Sendai, from airy streets to amazing glass skyscrapers and bustling shopping districts.

Less than an hour northeast of the city center lies the town of Matsushima, whose bay is dotted by pine clad islets and is known for one of Japan's three most scenic views.

Sendai is located approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) north of Tokyo on the Pacific coast of Honshu (the largest of Japan's four major islands). Sendai lies in the center of the Tohoku (northeast) Region, one of the seven major regions in Japan.


Sendai Tourism
Sendai is not a tourist city, as its suffered from World War II and rebuilt after. Most popular tourist sightseeing is a castle and museum. The ruins of Sendai Castle are located close to downtown on Aobayama, which also gives a panoramic view of the city. The Zuihoden Mausoleum is the tomb of Date Masamune, and is also home to artifacts related to the Date family. It is located on a hill called Kyogamine, which is the traditional resting place for members of the Date family. The Ōsaki Hachiman Shrine, built in 1607 by Date Masamune, is designated as a national treasure.

Some of recommended sightseeing in Sendai, in short such as : Sendai City Museum; Masamune's mausoleum; Castle ruins, Jozenji street – lined with sculptures, good base to visit scenic island-dotted bay at Matsushima on the coast and Zao Onsen in the mountains. Both offer hot-springs & great views. Miyagi Stadium.

Sendai is a modern city in harmony with nature. The city is surrounded by a splendid natural environment, from the western Ohu Mountains to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Therefore, tourist can visit some sites that related to nature.

Nature Sightseeing in Sendai :
1. Matsushima Bay, dotted with many islands covered with pine trees, is located approximately 30 km from Sendai. It is known as one of Japan’s three most scenic locations. Matsushima is a haven from the Pacific Ocean’s harsh waves and is also famous for its oyster farming.

2. The Zao Mountains. A one-hour drive from Sendai takes you to Mt. Zao, a collection of several age-old volcanoes. Near its summit, you can enjoy a pleasant walk around the Okama, a crater lake known for its ephemeral colors. Mt. Zao is also famous for the snow monsters (frost covered trees) that can be seen during the winter.

3. Hot Springs. Akiu and Sakunami are both hot spring resorts near downtown Sendai. A 30-minute drive takes you to these resorts, which boast many hotels and traditional Japanese inns (ryokan) that offer comfortable big baths among the beauty and tranquility of the mountains.


Museuma and Castle in Sendai :
1. Zuiho-den (Tel: 022 262 6250) is the mausoleum of Matsuname Date (known as the "one-eyed dragon") and reminiscent of the Tokugawa mausoleum in Nikko. The original, ornate 17th century buildings were destroyed in World War II but completely restored in 1979. Set at the top of a flight of steep stone steps within a forest, the site also includes the mausoleums of Date Tadamune and Date Tsunamune, the second and third successors of the clan father Matsuname.

2. Sendai Castle aka Aoba-jo dated from 1602 but nothing remains today of the buildings except for the impressive stone walls and a reconstructed turret. The castle grounds do have fine views of the city and an iconic statue of Matsuname on horseback. The Aoba Castle Exhibition Hall (Tel: 022 222 0218) has computer-generated displays of what the castle looked like in its glory days.

3. The Sendai City Museum (Tel: 022 225 3074) introduces the history of the city and displays of Date family treasures including Matuname's suit of armor and relics from the fascinating journey to Mexico and Europe by Matsuname's retainer Hasekura Tsunenaga (1613 - 1620). This epic voyage, Japan's first embassy to the Americas and Europe, is described in Shusako Endo's novel The Samurai.

4. Other museums in Sendai include the Miyagi Museum of Art (Tel: 022 221 2111) and Tohoku University's Museum of Natural History (Tel: 022 795 6767). Of the temples and shrines in the city, Osaki Hachimangu Shrine (Tel: 022 234 3606) dates from 1607 and is a good example of Momoyama Period architecture. The shrine houses the guardian deity of the Date family and is the site of the Donto fire festival in January. Nearby Rinnoji Temple has a Japanese-style garden noted for its irises in June.

5. Sendai Mediatheque (Tel: 022 713 4483) is a modern art and film center on Jozenji Dori. Besides its library, Mediatheque hosts exhibitions, film screenings and workshops.


Tanabata Festival
The Tanabata-matsuri Festival, held every summer in Sendai, is considered one of the four greatest festivals in the Tohoku region. It is one of the most popular attractions, drawing crowds of over 2 million spectators every year. The festival is based on the Chinese seventh of July legend: The 'Kengyu' (a cowherd) represented by the star Altair, and the 'Orihime' (a weaver) represented by the star Vega, appear on either side of the Milky Way and cross the bridge of magpie's wings over the Milky Way for their one-time rendezvous a year.


Sendai Nightlife
Sendai nightlife is full of drink and eating places. Don't miss the Kokubu-cho area, the designated entertainment district where you can find everything from small izakayas to large nightclubs and classy bars. Club Shaft is a large mainstream venue where Sendai’s youngsters gather to drink every possible kind of beer in the world and dance the night away to DJ music.

Chuo Dori, also called Clis Road, is mainly a huge shopping district, but with a fair share of clubs and bars catering to students.

Vilevan near Sendai Station is a great place for jazz lovers and for those who would rather chill out and have a couple of quality drinks than show off their dance moves. Ernie’s Bar is the perfect place to meet fellow travelers or expats with whom you can swap stories.

Recommended bars in Sendai :
1. Bar,isn't it?
Address : 3-9-13,Ichibancho,Aoba-ku,Sendai

2. CLUB　SHAFT
Address : 2-10-11,Kokubuncho,Aoba-ku,Sendai

3. Gastro-Pub COOPERS
Address : 2-1-3,Kokubuncho,Aoba-ku,Sendai

4. Finger Foods Bar PINE
Address : 1-8-21,Chuo,Aoba-ku,Sendai

Sendai Photos and pictures :


Sendai Ichibancho Arcade. This covered mall connects several streets together in the downtown area to create the largest arcade in the Tohoku region. The shopping area includes several different arcade malls and covers a T-shaped area along Ichibancho and Chuo dori.


Sendai Kokubu Cho Nightlife


The most famous festival in Sendai is the Sendai Tanabata Festival, which attracts more than 2 million visitors every year and is the largest Tanabata Festival in Japan.


Matsushima is famous for its bay, which is dotted by many pine clad islets and has been ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views for centuries. The small town is also known for Zuiganji, one of the Tohoku Region's most important Zen temples.


The Zao Mountains, a one-hour drive from Sendai takes you to Mt. Zao, a collection of several age-old volcanoes.


Downtown Sendai from the nearby Atago shrine


Sendai Kokubuncho at night, it has more than 3000 bars and restaurants assembled, and the busiest entertainment area in all of northeastern Japan.


Southeast entrance from Sun Mall Ichibancho.


The night match at the Sendai stadium


Watch Sendai City and shopping sightseeing video here :

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