HANYU Yuzuru introduces Sendai’s sightseeing spots
Tourist Attractions Index
- Getting to Sendai
- Zuihoden Mausoleum
- International Center Station, Yuzuru hanyu Monument
- Aobayama Park, Sendai Ryokusaikan Visitor Center
- Goshikinuma Pond
- Ice Rink Sendai
- Nanakita Park
- Sendai Tanabata Festival
- Sendai Pageant of Starlight
- Site of Sendai Castle
- Yagiyama Zoologcal Park Fujisaki no Mori
- Relaxing in Onsen
Getting to Sendai
Besides from various direct flights to the Sendai International Airport, Sendai is also only one-and-a-half-hour from Tokyo by the Shinkansen bullet train. We hope you will take advantage of these convenient transportation methods when visiting HANYU Yuzuru’s hometown, “Sendai, Tohoku, Japan”.
Zuihoden Mausoleum
Light filters through ancient cedars on the climb up the steps to the quiet hillside grounds of Zuihoden, Date Masamune’s final resting place. The Zuihoden complex is vast, and includes the burial sites of numerous members of the Date family. Lavish mausoleums adorned with ornate carvings pay homage to Masamune (1567–1636), the founder of the Sendai domain, and his successors, Tadamune (1599–1658) and Tsunamune (1640–1711). The grounds include several monuments and a museum that displays excavated burial items such as swords and helmets.
| Hours | 9:00-16:30 (Feb.-Nov.), 9:00-16:00 (Dec.-Jan.) |
| Closed | Dec. 31 & Jan. 1 |
| URL | https://www.zuihoden.com/en/ |
| TEL | 022-262-6250 |
| Address | 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba-ku, Sendai |
International Center Station, HANYU Yuzuru Monument
A monument was installed in front of the International Center Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line on April 16, 2017, to honor the achievements of figure skaters HANYU Yuzuru and ARAKAWA Shizuka, both of whom are associated with Sendai City.
Additionally, a new monument was installed on April 19, 2019, to honor HANYU Yuzuru’s second consecutive Olympic victory, which drew a lot of attention.
The glass monuments of the two Olympians are lined up on a base platform designed with the motif of “Goshikinuma Pond,” the birthplace of figure skating in Japan, and the atheletes’ handprints are also on display to the side.
Visitors can enjoy taking pictures in front of the monuments by mimicking the monuments’ poses, or placing their hands over the atheletes’ handprints.
| Address | Aobayama, Aoba Ward, Sendai City |
| Access | 1-minute walk from “International Center Station” on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line |
Sendai Ryokusaikan Visitor Center
This facility opened on April 26, 2023, at the entrance to Aobayama Park as a place for people to gather and relax, as well as providing information on Sendai’s history and culture.
The actual Yamaboko floats from the “Sendai Aoba Festival” and Tanabata decorations from the “Sendai Tanabata Festival” are on display, allowing visitors to experience Sendai’s festival culture. The facility also provides a collection of sightseeing spots around Mt. Aobayama and other areas in the city, from which visitors can create their own original map on their phones. There is a cafe offering Sendai-inspired menu items and a terrace where visitors can relax and enjoy the view of the Hirose River, as well as the changing scenery of Mt. Aobayama across four seasons.
A video of HANYU Yuzuru, available only here at Sendai Ryokusaikan Visitor Center, is also played periodically.
| Address | Kawauchi-Oimawashi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City |
| Hours | March to November: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. December to February: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. |
| Closed | First Monday of March, June, September and December December 29 to January 3 |
| Access | 7-minute walk from “International Center Station” on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line 2-minute walk from the “Museum/ International Center” stop on the Loople (Sendai Sightseeing City Loop Bus) |
Goshikinuma Pond
Goshikinuma Pond stretches from east to west in the corner of Aobayama Park.
Located near the entrance to the Sendai City Museum, Goshikinuma Pond is said to be the birthplace of figure skating in Japan. During the mid-Meiji period, foreigners began skating in this location. Around 1909, students of the Second Senior High School (now Tohoku University) received figure skating instructions from a German teacher, and as those students and their underclassmen worked to popularize the sport throughout Japan, Goshikinuma Pond came to be revered as the pace of origin for figure skating.
Make sure to visit the iconic Goshikinuma Pond when you are in Sendai, the city where figure skaters such as HANYU Yuzuru and ARAKAWA Shizuka flourished.
| Address | Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City |
| Access | 10-minute walk from “International Center Station” on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line 3-minute walk from the “Sendai City Museum/ Sendai International Center” stop on the Loople (Sendai Sightseeing City Loop Bus) |
Ice Rink Sendai
This is a year-round ice skating rink located in Izumi Ward, Sendai City. It is the rink where HANYU Yuzuru, the two-time consecutive Olympic champion practiced.
There is a free admission gallery inside the rink that introduces HANYU Yuzuru and ARAKAWA Shizuka’s achievements, and visitors can also take a closer look at the ice rink.
Every winter, an outdoor ice skating rink is set up in Kotodai Park Civic Plaza. It offers a different atmosphere from the indoor rink and makes it easier for visitors to enjoy skating. (*TBC for this year.)
Ice Rink Sendai has been renovated and reopened on June 1, 2024, to provide an enhanced experience for users.
| Address | 9-2, Takadama-cho, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Hours | Weekdays: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Weekends and national holidays: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Private ice rental is available from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. of the following day |
| Access | 5 minutes by Miyagi Kotsu bus from Izumi-chuo Station on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line (get off at Takadama-cho Koen-mae bus stop) 15-minute walk from Yaotome Station |
Nanakita Park
This spacious park is located near Izumi-chuo Station on the Namboku Subway Line. HANYU Yuzuru visited this park to train during his school years, and a cherry tree were planted to commemorate his two consecutive Winter Olympics victories.
The highlight of the park includes a small hill called “Yusui-zan,” built based on the images of Mt. Izumigatake and Nanakita River, and bodies of water such as “Kamuri-no-Ike” and “Izumiga-Ike.” On weekends and on national holidays, the open grassy area is crowded with families playing ball games, badminton, and other activities. The large playground equipments in “Wanpaku Daichi” are very popular among children. The gymnasium, baseball field, and tennis courts are also frequently used by citizens.
| Address | 78, Yanagi, Nanakita, Izumi Ward, Sendai City |
| Access | 5-minute walk from “Izumi-chuo Station” on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line |
Sendai Tanabata Festival
As one of the three major festivals of the Tohoku region, this beautiful summer tradition of Sendai has its roots in the seasonal event of Tanabata, or Star Festival. It is characterized by colorful bamboo decorations that brighten up the shopping arcades to delight the two million visitors who come from all over Japan to see the festival. A leisurely stroll along the shopping arcades to view the brightly colored streamers waving overhead is a must for all visitors.
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
The zelkova trees that line Jozenjidori are illuminated with about 600,000 brilliant lights in this winter spectacle of light. Visitors can enjoy a romantic stroll through this “tunnel of illumination.”
Site of Sendai Castle
Sendai Castle (or Aoba Castle) was built by Date Masamune. The stone walls have been carefully reconstructed and a statue of Date Masamune riding on a horse overlooks the town. The Aoba Castle Museum is also located here.
Yagiyama Zoologcal Park Fujisaki no Mori
The zoo has some attractive exhibits including African animals, such as African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) and giraffe. Viewing the polar bear and hippopotamus exhibits through glass windows are also recommended. Visitors can learn more at the visitor center through stuffed animals and commentary.
| Hours | 9:00-16:45 (Mar. to Oct., last entry 16:00) 9:00-16:00 (Nov. to Feb., last entry 15:00) |
| Closed | Monday (Tuesday if Monday is national holiday) and new year holidays |
| Admission | 【Individual】 adult 480yen/ elementary school and junior high: 120yen/ yearly pass: 1,200yen 【Tour (over 30 people)】 adult 380yen/ elementary school and junior high: 90yen |
| Access | 2-minute walk from Yagiyama Zoological Park Station via the Tozai Subway Line. |
| URL | https://www.city.sendai.jp/zoo/ |
| TEL | 022-229-0631 |
| Address | 1-43, Yagiyama-honcho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai |
Relaxing in Onsen
Immerse in healing water and natural views with an onsen experience.
Since the Tohoku region has the most hot springs (onsen) per population of 100,000 people in Japan, it is known as an onsen paradise.There are two onsen resort towns in Sendai, Akiu and Sakunami, both of which are just a 30 or 40 minute drive from downtown. You’ll be able to enjoy onsen even if you have limited time.