Enjoy the Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6th to 8th) with a rental car during the green season (Late April until early September)[2 nights 3 days plan]
Introducing a two-night, three-day trip by rental car to Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures during the “Green Season. (Late April until early September)” This driving course is full of highlights, including the beautiful emerald-green lake of Okama and Yamadera temple, Sakunami Onsen, the gorgeous Sendai Tanabata Festival (Aug. 6-8), and Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots.
Day 1：①Start from Sendai Station
②Okama Crater Lake in Miyagi Zao
After arriving in Sendai, head towards Miyagi Zao. Drive along the Zao Echo Line and enjoy the spectacular view of Okama.
You can see the beautiful emerald green surface of the lake at Okama Crater in Miyagi Zao from early April to early November.
https://discoversendai.travel/places/okama/
③Lunch
How about trying pork cutlets or katsudon made with Miyagi’s brand pork JAPAN X at the rest house on the summit of Mt. Zao?
④Site of Sendai Castle
Return to Sendai and visit the site of Sendai Castle.
“Sendai Castle,” also known as Aoba Castle, was built on Mount Aoba by Lord DATE Masamune and serves as a popular tourist spot that conveys the history of Sendai and the intentions of Masamune. The original stone walls from the castle’s construction still remain, allowing visitors to get a sense of the long-lasting over 400 year history of the city and the high level of architectural skill from that time.
https://discoversendai.travel/places/site-of-sendai-castle/
⑤Sakunami Onsen
Descend the mountain and head towards Sakunami via the Yamagata Expressway and Route 48. How about staying a night at Sakunami Onsen Hot Springs? Relax in the hot springs and feel refreshed for the next day’s activities.
Discovered about 1300 years ago, Sakunami Onsen is a hot spring resort with a long-established history. You can enjoy bathing while viewing the scenery of the riverbank in the season of fresh greenery or snow.
https://discoversendai.travel/places/sakunami-onsen/
Day 2：①Start from Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple
Let’s visit Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple.
A historic old temple that offers divine favor for matchmaking and safe delivery. The big triangular deep-fried tofu (bean curd) is a noted specialty in this area.
https://discoversendai.travel/places/jogi-nyorai-saihoji-temple/
②Risshakuji Temple (Yamadera)
Take Route 48 towards Yamagata Prefecture and head to Yamadera, Risshakuji Temple.
A stone stairway of 1,015 steps stretches all the way up to the summit, and takes about 40 minutes one way. Visitors can enjoy the rugged rocks, rich greenery, pagodas of all sizes, and the scenery in all four seasons.
https://discoversendai.travel/places/risshakuji-temple-yamadera/
③Lunch
How about a soba buckwheat noodle restaurant at the foot of Mt. Yamadera? Soba is a Yamagata’s specialty.
④Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6th-8th)
From Yamadera, let’s visit Sendai city and check into a hotel. After that, visitors can enjoy the Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6th-8th).
The Sendai Tanabata Festival, one of Sendai’s three major festivals, is held every year on August 6th, 7th, and 8th. Sendai Tanabata is one of the summer festivals in Tohoku that has been passed down as a traditional event since the time of DATE Masamune, and over 2 million people visit Sendai every year to enjoy the Tanabata decorations. Thousands of gorgeous Tanabata decorations, some three or four meters long, are set up around the shopping arcades in the central Sendai.
At night during Sendai Tanabata Festival, you can enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of illuminated buildings such as Sendai Castle, Aobayama Park, and Zuihoden.
https://discoversendai.travel/must-do/guide-you-to-the-sendai-tanabata-festival/
Day 3：①Start from Matsushima
In Matsushima, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, you can enjoy viewing the approximately 260 islands not only from land, but also from boats and the surrounding mountains. Historic temples, street food featuring seafood, and cafes are also part of Matsushima’s charm.
https://discoversendai.travel/itineraries/one-day-journey-to-matsushima/
②Lunch: Enjoy fresh seafood in Matsushima
③Get souvenirs in Matsushima or at Sendai Station
