Sendai

Sendai is the main big city in northern Honshu, and is a major Shinkansen stop. 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.
It is a city with a population of one million, and is the political and economic center of Japan's Tohoku (northeast) Region.
Sendai values history and culture. Many traditional events, such as the Sendai Tanabata Festival, continue to this day. The Sendai International Music Competition and the Johzenji Street jazz Festival are also held in the city, along with many theatrical performances.

Sightseeing:

Sendai is not what you'd call a tourist city - it was flattened in the war and rebuilt after that so there really isn't much to see in terms of historical sights - in fact sights of any kind. The most famous sight in Sendai is the train station!

• Miyagi Museum of Art (宮城県美術館), Kawauchi-Motohasekura, Aoba-ku,. A reasonable collection of modern art. Special room for Juryo Sato a local (but nationally famous) sculptor. Beautiful garden and a nice view of the river.
• Aoba Castle (青葉城 Aoba-jō). Often recommended by locals, but what they mean is the site of the old castle - there's actually only a replica of a gate and a statue of the founder of the city, Date Masumune. However, the ruins of Aoba Castle are the theme of a famous poem written by Doi Bansui called 'Kojo no Tsuki' - 'The Moon over the desolate castle'. In the poem, the author touchingly invites us to reflect on the impermanence of all life, which is represented by the ruins of the once great castle caught in the light of the full moon. The poem has been put to music and is famous throughout Japan.
• ōsaki Hachiman Shrine (大崎八幡宮). Completed in 1607, and is designated a national treasure. The metal ornaments and colorful designs displayed against the black lacquer woodwork is an especially attractive feature.
• There is a huge statue of Kannon (the Buddhist deity of compassion) outside the city that is worth seeing. However, don't expect to find it mentioned in any guides. Ask locals for directions.
• Sendai Mediatheque designed by Toyo Ito is an important piece of contemporary architecture. Take a look at the outstanding structure while enjoying the cafeteria and design shop on ground level.
• Rinno-ji, (輪王寺) Kitayama, Aoba-ku, an historic temple with a large traditional garden, which is especially attractive when the azaleas are in bloom. (bus: “Kitayama - Shiheimachi line,” get off at “Rinno-ji mae”)
• SS 30 Observation Lounge, Higashi Nibancho dori and Kitamenmachi-dori - this office tower has an observation deck on the 29 and 30th floors, which is open and free to the public.

Things to do:

• The biggest festival in Sendai is Tanabata (七夕). The festival starts with fireworks on Aug 5th and then the festival proper is from Aug 6th to Aug 8th.
• In December, there's the Pageant of Starlight which isn't really a festival as such. The trees in two of the city's main avenues - Aoba-dōri and Jōzenji-dōri - are festooned in thousands of orange lights. The effect is very pleasant, with the orange glow casting warmth over the otherwise cold and frosty streets.

The Donto-sai Festival is held at the Osaki Hachiman Shrine on January 14 every year.