Exploring Sendai for the Muslim traveller!
Sendai (仙台市 Sendai-shi) is the capital city of Miyagi prefecture, and is the largest city in Tohoku region. It boasts a rich history―it was founded by the famous feudal lord Date Masamune during the early Edo period―and is also nicknamed City of Trees (杜の都 mori-no-miyako) for its abundant trees. There are many highlights in the city, and furthermore, it serves as the central city of Tohoku region.
Statue of Date Masamune, founder of Sendai city, at Sendai Castle. (Image credit: Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO)
By staying in central Sendai, not only is it convenient to get to places around the city, it is also accessible to famous places such as the Matsushima Bay (松島湾 Matsushima-wan)―which is one of the Three Views of Japan (日本三景 nihon sankei) alongside Hiroshima’s Miyajima and Kyoto’s Amanohashidate―and, thanks to the highly connected JR Sendai Station (JR仙台駅 Sendai-eki), visitors can also make getaways to other regional prefectures such as Fukushima (famous for its historical city Aizu-Wakamatsu, fruits, and natural scenery), Yamagata (the iconic Ginzan Onsen and majestic Mount Zao), and Iwate (Hiraizumi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site-designated cultural epicentre is found here). Needless to say, it is also one of my favourite cities in Japan.
Sendai's central location allows visitors to visit other prefectures such as Fukushima, Yamagata, and Iwate easily. (Image credit: 岩手県観光協会 / Yamagata Prefectural Government / Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
A welcoming trend I see in recent times is the increasing number of Muslim travellers to Japan. More and more Muslim visitors from Southeast Asia―especially Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia―are making Japan their choice of holiday destination, and Sendai is one of the cities that is gradually becoming more cosmopolitan, with more people from different backgrounds arriving and even calling it their new home. For this article, I want to showcase some of the best parts of Sendai to all my readers, as well as prove how the city is becoming more Muslim-friendly.
Prominent landmarks: Sendai Castle & Sendai Masjid
It is impossible to imagine Sendai without first envisioning Sendai Castle (青葉城 Aoba-jō). Built by Date Masamune in the early 17th century, the castle once oversaw the city 100 metres from where it stood. The castle is no more however, and the site is now a public park open for visitors who want to capture a panoramic view of the entire city below.
Panoramic view of Sendai from Sendai Castle site. (Image credit: Sendai Blog / CC BY 2.0)
Although the castle is gone, there still remains some preserved stone walls on the site that belonged to the castle. These stone walls help to give impression of what the castle used to look like, and serve as good remnants to remind visitors of the glorious past. Another outstanding feature is the imposing statue of Date Masamune atop his horse.
Preserved stone walls at Sendai Castle site. (Image credit: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
Date Masamune overlooking the city below. (Image credit: Sendai Blog)
Near the castle site is the Gokoku Shrine (護國神社 Gokoku-jinja), built in early 20th century in honour of Japan’s military past. Also nearby is the Sendai Castle Exhibition Hall, where history buffs can witness the city’s glorious past is re-enacted with the help of computer graphics interface (CGI).
Gokoku Shrine pays homage to Japan's military past. (Image credit: xiquinhosilva / CC BY 2.0)
For those interested in learning about Sendai’s past can head over to the Sendai City Museum, where old relics and artifacts from the past are on display. English tour guides are available here, and Sendai-limited souvenirs are also available! Kindly note that the entrance fee is ¥460 per adult, and opening hours is from 09:00 to 16:45 (last entry at 16:15).
Sendai City Museum explains the history of the city. (Image credit: contri / CC BY 2.0)
Sendai City Museum (仙台市博物館)
Address: 26 Kawauchi, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862
Nearest station: JR Sendai Station (JR仙台駅)
Opening hours: 9am–4:45pm (Tuesdays to Sundays, national holidays), closed on Mondays and days after national holidays (last entry at 4:15pm)
Admission fee: ¥460 for adults, ¥230 for high school students, ¥110 for elementary and junior high school students
Tel: +81-2-2225-3074
The site of Sendai Castle is one of the most prominent landmarks for foreign visitors. For Muslim visitors especially, this is one site that is highly recommended, but they should also take note of another important landmark.
One of the main concerns for Muslims when travelling overseas is finding a place for pray. The mosque is their principal place of worship, and as more Muslims travel to Japan, their concern is more pronounced if they are travel to less central and more rural areas.
Sendai Masjid in Sendai. (Image credit: muslim-guide.jp)
Enter Sendai Masjid (仙台モスク Sendai mosuku). This is the mosque that serves the Muslim community in Sendai, and serves as the epicentre for Islamic studies in the city. As the sole place of worship for both Muslim residents and visitors, it has become the most sought-after place for Muslim travellers planning to travel to Sendai (and Tohoku region).
Sendai Masjid is located in the rural side of Sendai. (Image credit: muslim-guide.jp)
Sendai Masjid is also the oldest mosque in Tohoku region―it was founded on 2 November 2007―and is home to the Islamic Cultural Center of Sendai (ICCS) (仙台イスラム文化センター Sendai isuramu bunka sentā). Thanks to the ICCS, more prayer spaces have been developed throughout the region.
The mosque is most frequented by Muslim students from nearby universities. (Image credit: Visit Miyagi)
Sendai Masjid (仙台モスク)
Address: 7-7-24 Hachiman, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0871
Nearest station: JR Sendai Station (仙台駅)
Tel: +81-2-2266-2625
For Muslims looking for prayer rooms, they need not only resort to coming to Sendai Masjid. Sendai International Airport also has a prayer room specially prepared for those who need a clean and quiet space to pray. As more tourists come to Sendai, the airport understands the importance to cater the needs of their foreign visitors. Hence, having a prayer room is sheer convenience for our Muslim friends.
Prayer room at Sendai Airport, open for all to use. (Image credit: Sendai International Airport)
The bulk of the mosque’s visitors are students studying at nearby university campuses. It is within walking distance from Kawauchi Campus by Tohoku University, one of Japan’s most prestigious national universities.
Gastronomical delights: gyutan & zundamochi
Gyutan (牛タン Gyū-tan), which is beef tongue, is a local delicacy that is synonymous with Sendai. It is commonly enjoyed grilled, where thinly sliced beef tongue is seared over charcoal. However, there are plenty of restaurants in Sendai that serve gyūtan in other forms, such as rice bowls (どんぶり donburi), curries and stews.
Gyutan is a local delicacy in Sendai. (Image credit: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
Another synonymously known delicacy in Sendai is the zunda-mochi (ずんだ餅), which is made from edamame beans (or young soybeans). The beans are mashed into a coarse paste and enjoyed with boiled rice cakes as a dessert! Furthermore, it can also be enjoyed in many other variants: it is also available in milkshakes and kakigori forms!
Zundamochi (ずんだ餅), is made from young soya beans. (Image credit: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
It comes as no surprise that people love to travel to Japan simply for the food. Tohoku has some of the best foods in Japan, and it is no secret that people would flock to Sendai to some delicious gyutan. Access to halal food is a perennial concern for Muslims travellers to Japan, but fret not: as Sendai is becoming more Muslim-friendly, they will still get to enjoy the best foods that the city has to offer!
Japanese Restaurant HAYASE at Hotel Metropolitan Sendai. (Image credit: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai)
Japanese Restaurant HAYASE (日本料理・鉄板焼「はや瀬」 nihon-ryōri・teppanyaki 「HAYASE」) is an upscale restaurant inside Hotel Metropolitan Sendai where Muslim travellers can get their generous fare of Japanese cuisine. It specially uses ingredients from the region, namely mountain vegetables from Michinoku and the freshest seafood caught from the nearby bay. And, it specially uses Sendai beef, a highly rated beef raised from cattle that is fed with sasanishi rice stalks and barley. Since the restaurant carries halal certification, Muslims can enjoy the highly coveted beef in various forms such as steak or sukiyaki!
Muslims can enjoy high-quality beef (including gyutan) at Restaurant HAYASE. (Image credit: JR East / Nazrul Buang)
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai has another restaurant that is also halal certified. Serenity (セレニティ) is another upscale restaurant that uses halal meats to prepare its French menu. Muslims can even choose to stay at this hotel to experience both authentic French and Japanese cuisines at two restaurants at the comfort of their lodging!
Serenity is another restaurant at Hotel Metropolitan Sendai that serves halal dishes. (Image credit: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai)
Greenery right at your doorstep: Jozenji-dori Avenue & Hotel Metropolitan Sendai
When it comes to Sendai, many visitors would reminisce walking along Jozenji-dori Avenue, which is somewhat the city’s main avenue. The boulevard is lined with Japanese zelkova trees (欅 keyaki), giving the stretch a ‘European’ feel. Plus, it serves as the venue for many amazing events such as Aoba Festival, and the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival.
Aoba Festival. (Image credit: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival. (Image credit: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
But perhaps the most spectacular event of all, is the Pageant of Starlight. Every December, during the cold winter that sweeps the country, the entire boulevard is illuminated by 600,000 brilliant lights that cover the zelkova trees. Walking through here is a magical experience, more so if snow falls in the city!
The Pageant of Starlight lights up the boulevard with brilliant lights in December. (Image credit: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Division)
Foreign visitors would never want to miss a place as amazing yet unassuming as the Jozenji-dori Avenue. To catch all the best events throughout the year, they would love to stay at a hotel as close to the venue as possible to catch all the action. Great news: perhaps the most ideal hotel to stay is the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai!
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai is perhaps the most ideal hotel in the city. (Image credit: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai)
The hotel is directly connected to the JR Sendai Station, which is also the epicentre of the city. Hence, the Jozenji-dori Avenue is only ten minutes away on foot. The convenience of the hotel’s location is unrivalled, and getting to any place in Sendai is a cinch when it is located right at the centre of the city.
Halal restaurants HAYASE and Serenity are inside Hotel Metropolitan Sendai. (Image credit: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai)
Best of all, the hotel is also Muslim-friendly: the halal certified restaurants HAYASE and Serenity are located right inside the hotel! Muslim visitors to the city would find that this is the best hotel to stay; not only does it serve all their needs; it is also impeccably located!
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai (ホテルメトロポリタン仙台)
Address: 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi 980-8477
Nearest station: JR Sendai Station (仙台駅)
Tel: +81-2-2268-2525
Sendai Tanabata Festival is the summer festival of the city, and one of the most spectacular in Japan. (Image credit: Sendai Tanabata Festival Support Association)
Sendai holds a special place in my heart. I first went there in August 2011 as a volunteer, after the region was severely affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami (東北地方太平洋沖地震 tōhoku-chihō taiheiyō oki jishin). Since then, I make it an effort to visit it as often as possible, personally giving good word to my friends and customers planning to travel to Japan. Particularly when the city is welcoming more Muslim visitors by making itself more Muslim-friendly, I hope that someday even my own family will visit!
More details on Sendai
Sendai is the capital city in Miyagi prefecture, located in the north-eastern region of Tohoku. Visitors from Tokyo can take the Tohoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線) bullet train to JR Sendai Station, which should take around 90 minutes with a fare of ¥11,410.
(INSIDER TIP: If you have the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you can travel on the bullet train and make seat reservations for free!)
Sendai Castle: Visitors can take the Loople Sendai Bus from JR Sendai Station to the castle ground (takes around 20 minutes). Alternatively, take the Tōzai Subway Line from JR Sendai Station to International Center at the base of Sendai Castle. It is a five-minute walk from the station to Sendai City Museum, or a 20-minute uphill walk to the former castle grounds. The Sendai Castle Museum's opening hours are 9am–5pm, and entrance fee is ¥700 per adult. For the Sendai City Museum, it is 9am–4:45pm, and entrance fee is ¥460 per adult.
Sendai Masjid: Muslim visitors planning to pray here can call in advance to the mosque for language assistance. Admission is free. Visitors can take the following buses from JR Sendai Station to Hachiman 7-chome bus stop: 840, 845, 850, 855, 860, 866.
Jozenji-dori Avenue: the boulevard located east of JR Sendai Station. It takes around ten minutes to reach there on foot from the station. It is open throughout the year.
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai: the hotel is connected directly to JR Sendai Station. Upon leaving the station, visitors can take a 1–2-minute walk to the hotel. The restaurants HAYASE and Serenity are located at level two of the hotel.
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The new JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) and where you can use it. (Image credit: JR East)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It's only ¥30,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
The JR-EAST Train Reservation. (Image credit: JR East)
Header image credit: JR East / Nazrul Buang
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