Visit Miyagi

Fireworks, music, and delicious food　
Feel the ocean breeze on your exciting trip to Miyagi!

The Tohoku Mirai Geijutsu Hanabi firework display takes place at the end of summer in Miyagi prefecture.

This large-scale firework display began five years ago as a way to beacon a bright future and recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

About this year’s display:

● This year, the music of the renowned Japanese artist, Keisuke Kuwata, will be synchronized with the launching of the fireworks. We also anticipate that there will be a screening of exclusive footage.

● Firework masters from all over the country will gather to present their beautiful creations. You will be able to enjoy the dynamic view of the beautiful fireworks as they are launched along the coast. You can expect a magnificent 60-minute extravaganza of “artistic fireworks” where the music and fireworks are synced down to one thirtieth of a second!

● You can savor the delicious seafood of Watari, the birthplace of the famous
“harako-meshi” – the iconic Japanese rice bowl topped with fragrant salmon and salmon roe. There will be places to purchase seafood on the event grounds, along with an array of local stalls for you to browse.

We recommend that you arrive in Watari early in the afternoon so that you can make the most of the local cuisine whilst enjoying the ocean breeze, and finish off your day by enjoying the fireworks at night.

Tickets are now on sale!

You can conveniently reach the display area by purchasing a shuttle bus ticket departing from either Sendai, Iwanuma or Watari Station. Don’t forget to bring your admission ticket as well!

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: Gates open at 2:00 P.M. /firework display starts at 6:45 P.M.(scheduled)
Fireworks display: approximately 1 hour
Venue: SAKAN Athlete Park Torinoumi
Multipurpose Field (Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
Admission: Viewing ticket: ¥8,000 (tax included), plus other ticket options

https://tohokumirai.geijutsuhanabi.com

Have you ever visited Matsushima?

Matsushima, located about an hour by train northeast of Sendai, is hailed as one of Japan’s “Three Scenic Views.” As you explore Matsushima, you can enjoy beautiful views of the islands, take a scenic cruise, savor delicious fresh, locally sourced seafood, or even enjoy a sweet treat with a cup of matcha.

Although Matsushima is known for its stunning natural beauty, it is also a place of great religious and historical significance. For example, Zuiganji Temple, one of Tohoku’s most prominent temples, was famously restored by Date Masamune, the powerful feudal lord who ruled the Sendai domain. In addition, Oshima, a small island located just off the coast, is known as a sacred place where Buddhist monuments and stone stelae were erected to commemorate the deceased and pray for their passage into Buddhist paradise.

Enjoy life at a slower pace while discovering the rich history and culture of Miyagi in Matsushima!

Photo locations:

1. View of Fukuura Island
2. Tea set – pumpkin cake with matcha at Kanrantei
3. Japanese stone garden, Zuiganji Temple
4. Daruma on Oshima Island
5. Small shrine on Oshima Island

You may be aware that Japan produces some of the finest whisky in the world, but did you know that there is a renowned whisky distillery right here in Sendai?

Nikka Whisky, renowned worldwide for its superior whiskies and dedication to authentic distilling techniques, operates two distilleries in Japan: Yoichi Distillery, founded in 1934 in Yoichi, Hokkaido; and Sendai Miyagikyo Distillery, which was founded in 1969.

Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru chose Miyagikyo as the site of his second distillery due to the purity of the water that flows through the Nikkawa and Hirose streams, which converge nearby. Nestled within a tranquil valley of rolling green hills in the outskirts of Sendai, the distinctive red brick buildings of the Miyagikyo Distillery and the surrounding nature are beautiful in all four seasons.

Why not register for a free guided tour? Tour participants will learn about the distilling process and Miyagikyo’s history while touring the grounds, before finishing their tour with a tasting session of some of Miyagikyo’s renowned spirits. Visitors can also sample an array of whiskies and other spirits at the paid tasting bar. After sampling the various drinks on offer, stop by the gift shop to take your favorite home!

Multilingual support is offered for the guided tour. Please book your tour in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment. There is a free shuttle bus service from Sakunami Station, which can be reached from Sendai Station via the JR Senzan Line. Please refer to the official Nikka website for details of operating hours.

After three years of extensive renovations, The Miyagi Museum of Art has finally reopened, and we promise that it was worth the wait! The museum’s existing galleries have all been completely renovated, featuring new flooring, walls, ceilings, lighting, and even the glass displays protecting some of the artwork have been changed to a new glass that reflects the light less harshly, allowing visitors an even better look at the art!

In addition to the renovations to the museum’s existing facilities, the museum now has several additions to help visitors feel even more welcome, including more seating throughout the museum and a new art lounge where visitors can relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere of the museum or browse through the museum’s extensive library of art-themed books. Our favorite addition might be the spiral staircase leading down to the museum’s Visible Storage, which is exactly what it sounds like: a massive, transparent storage facility that allows visitors a glimpse into the museum’s collection and lets them see how these precious artworks are stored!

The Miyagi Museum of Art is easily accessible from both the International Center Station and Kawauchi Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line. To kick off the grand reopening, the museum is currently running a special exhibition to help visitors get reacquainted with signature pieces in its collection as well as hopefully show a new side to familiar pieces of art. After three years away, we are eager to welcome back visitors, both old and new, so we hope to see you at the museum!