Shiogama Shrine, Sendai Daikannon and Rinno-ji Temple are three of the most rewarding stops in and around Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku and the gateway to Miyagi. Sendai was founded by the one-eyed samurai lord Date Masamune, and the Date family left behind shrines, temples and gardens that are still the city’s best sights. Add a towering modern statue, a seaside shrine on the way to Matsushima and Sendai’s famous grilled beef tongue, and you have an easy one- or two-day plan. This guide covers how to reach each spot, 2026 admission prices and hours, the Loople sightseeing bus, and the best hotels near Sendai Station.
1. Shiogama Shrine
Shiogama Shrine sits on a wooded hill above the port town of Shiogama, about 25 minutes from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line (350 yen to Hon-Shiogama Station), then a 15 to 20-minute walk. As the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranked shrine, of the old province of Mutsu, it has been worshipped for centuries by sailors, fishermen and the Date lords, and it still draws crowds at New Year. The classic approach is the Omotesaka, a steep stairway of 202 stone steps lined with tall cedars, and the reward at the top is a cluster of vermilion and white halls, a magnificent gate and, on the same grounds, the separate Shiwahiko Shrine. The grounds are open from 5:00 to 20:00 and free to enter. Shiogama is a working fishing port known for fresh seafood, so plan lunch in town. Since it is on the same line as Matsushima-Kaigan, you can combine the shrine with Matsushima in one day.
2. Sendai Daikannon
You may spot it from the train: Sendai Daikannon is a white statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon, standing 100 meters tall on a hill in the northwest of the city. Completed in 1991, it is one of the tallest statues in the world, and it towers over the surrounding houses and roads in a way that photos barely capture. You can go inside the statue, where Buddhist figures are displayed on the floors inside and small windows near the top look out over Sendai. Entry to the interior costs 500 yen for junior high age and up; last entry is 15:00 on weekdays and 15:30 on weekends and holidays, so do not leave it until late afternoon. City buses from Sendai Station reach the Daikannon-mae stop in about 30 minutes. The statue had a record year in visitor numbers recently, with many overseas visitors, but it is rarely crowded on weekdays.
3. Rinno-ji Temple Garden
Rinno-ji is a Zen temple in the quiet northern part of Sendai, founded in 1441 by Date Mochimune and later a family temple of the Date clan. Its main attraction is a beautiful stroll garden with a pond, stone bridges and a three-story pagoda that rises above the trees, and it is especially lovely in the autumn color season. The garden is open from 8:00 to 17:00, and entry costs 300 yen. Take the JR Senzan Line from Sendai to Kitayama Station, about 10 minutes, then walk about 10 minutes. With more time, add two Date-era icons: Zuihoden, the ornate mausoleum of Date Masamune (570 yen for adults, open 9:00 to 16:50 from February to November), and Osaki Hachimangu, a shrine built by Masamune in 1607 whose main hall is a National Treasure. The Loople Sendai tourist bus loops past many sights from Sendai Station; rides cost 300 yen, or 700 yen for a day pass.
Where to Stay Near Sendai Station
Where to stay: Sendai StationHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sendai Station is the best base for exploring Miyagi. The Shinkansen, the Senseki Line to Shiogama and Matsushima, the Loople bus and city buses all start here, and the streets around the station are packed with gyutan restaurants.
Luxury
The Westin Sendai occupies the 28th to 36th floors of Sendai’s tallest building, about a 10-minute walk from JR Sendai Station, with big views over the city.
High-floor luxury rooms with city views.
Mid-Range
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai is directly connected to JR Sendai Station, with several dining options, the most convenient choice for day trips by train.
Station-connected hotel with several restaurants.
Budget-Friendly
Toyoko Inn Sendai Higashi-guchi No.1 is a simple, good-value chain hotel by the east exit of Sendai Station, a practical base for early trains.
Toyoko Inn Sendai Higashi-guchi No.1
Simple, good-value rooms by the station.
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Hotels in Sendai Station on Booking.com
Stay near Sendai Station for quick trains to Shiogama and Matsushima, the Loople bus and the city’s best gyutan restaurants.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Try gyutan, grilled beef tongue, a Sendai specialty developed by chef Sano Keishiro in 1948, and zunda mochi, rice cakes with sweet edamame paste.
- Buy a 700-yen Loople Sendai day pass if you plan to visit Zuihoden and other sights on the loop in one day.
- Visit Sendai Daikannon earlier in the day, since last entry to the statue is 15:00 on weekdays.
- Wear good shoes for the 202 steps of the Omotesaka approach at Shiogama Shrine.
- Pair Shiogama Shrine with Matsushima on the same JR Senseki Line trip.
Getting there by train: Sendai is about 90 minutes from Tokyo by Hayabusa on the Tohoku Shinkansen; Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Hayabusa trains with a seat reservation. From Sendai, the JR Senseki Line reaches Hon-Shiogama in about 25 minutes and Matsushima-Kaigan in about 40 minutes, and the JR Senzan Line reaches Kitayama, for Rinno-ji, in about 10 minutes. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, check whether the JR Pass is worth it, and see our guide from Narita and Haneda to Tokyo if you are flying in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Sendai to Shiogama Shrine?
Take the JR Senseki Line from Sendai to Hon-Shiogama, about 25 minutes and 350 yen, then walk 15 to 20 minutes to the shrine.
Can you go inside Sendai Daikannon?
Yes. Entry to the interior of the 100-meter statue costs 500 yen for junior high age and up. Last entry is 15:00 on weekdays and 15:30 on weekends and holidays.
What food is Sendai famous for?
Sendai is famous for gyutan, grilled beef tongue, and zunda, a sweet paste of edamame often served on mochi.
How much is the Loople Sendai bus?
The Loople Sendai sightseeing bus costs 300 yen per ride or 700 yen for a one-day pass for adults. Buses leave Sendai Station from 9:00 to 16:00.
