Sendai

Sendai city is one of the most important hubs of Japan’s Tohoku (north east) region and the seat of Miyagi’s prefectural government. The name Sendai was given to the area by the regional ruler Date Masamune about 400 years ago. He is also the one who commissioned the building of Sendai Castle whose ruins still exist. Another famous historical site is Osaki Hachiman Shrine. Sendai is also famous for food, especially beef tongue (gyu tan) and Sendai Miso, a special type of miso used for soup and other dishes. Sendai is known as a city of learning: the prestigious Tohoku University, Japan’s third oldest national university, is located here.