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Sendai Castle Ruins

宮城県

general.prefecture.

Date Masamune's horseback statue can be seen at the castle ruins.

Once towering over a vast area of 20,000 tsubo, with a width of 500 meters east and west and 1,000 meters north and south, Sendai Castle's remains can be seen in the reconstructed side tower, the remains of the castle road and Sannomaru, and the stone walls built on the mountaintop. Part of the castle ruins has been turned into a park. Also, standing in the Honmaru where the statue of Date Masamune on horseback is located, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sendai City and the Pacific Ocean.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic HistoryView

Highlights

Point 1

Viewing Spot Overlooking the City

Located on a hill in Sendai city, the ruins of Sendai Castle are known as a viewing spot where you can overlook Sendai city and the Pacific Ocean, and are a must-visit spot for Sendai tourism. In addition, the night view of Sendai city seen from the ruins of Sendai Castle was selected as a Japanese natural night view heritage site in 2015, and is also popular as a night view spot in Sendai city. The parking lot is also free at night, so be sure to visit the ruins of Sendai Castle after dark.

Point 2

The Great Hall Ruins, Offering a Glimpse of the Splendid Castle Interior

The Great Hall Ruins at Sendai Castle Site are the remains of a building called the Great Hall, which once stood in the center of Sendai Castle. Although most of the buildings within Sendai Castle have been lost, the Great Hall Ruins are a popular spot for tourists to catch a glimpse of the splendid castle interior as it once was. The scale and layout of the original building, which was the central structure of Sendai Castle, is expressed here, allowing visitors to experience the grand scale of the Great Hall. Nearby, there is a free admission Sendai Castle Museum where you can see photos and videos of the excavation results and stone wall repair work of the Sendai Castle ruins.

Point 3

Symbol of Sendai Castle Ruins: "Date Masamune on Horseback Statue"

The Date Masamune on Horseback Statue, standing on the castle tower, is not only a symbol of the Sendai Castle Ruins, but also of Sendai itself. It's a popular spot for taking photos as a souvenir of sightseeing. The statue depicts Date Masamune, a historical figure who built the Sendai Domain, in a powerful way, making it a must-see for history fans. At night, it's illuminated, allowing you to enjoy a different atmosphere from during the day. The collaboration between the illuminated statue on horseback and the night view overlooking below is definitely worth seeing.

Point 4

Elegant Curved Stone Walls of the Main Keep North Wall

Sendai Castle, originally a mountain castle, has few stone walls, but the Main Keep North Wall boasts one of the largest scales in the country, with a maximum height of about 17m and a total length of about 179m. The stunning stone walls, with their elegant curves, are both powerful and beautiful, making it a popular spot for many tourists. The Sendai Castle Museum, located on the castle grounds, provides detailed information on the restoration work of the stone walls, among other things. To see these stone walls, take the Tozai Subway Line to "Kokusai Center Station" and head up the slope towards the main keep. If you are using a car or bus (Loople Sendai), you can park near the "Aoba Castle Museum" or "Gift Shop," so it is recommended to visit the stone walls while walking down the slope after visiting the main keep and the Date Masamune horseback statue. Due to the earthquake that occurred on March 16, 2022, many of the castle's stone walls have collapsed and deformed, and some sections are closed to traffic. Please check the official website in advance for pedestrian and vehicle detour routes.

Point 5

Learn about History and Taste Local Specialties at Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan

画像引用：青葉城本丸会館

Located right next to the parking lot, Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan features the Aoba Castle Exhibition Hall, which displays actual materials and panels related to the Date family, Sendai Domain, and Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle), as well as a panoramic model of the castle. There is also a food court where you can taste local specialties from Miyagi and a shop where you can choose souvenirs. The 152-seat CG theater, where you can see a reproduction of Sendai Castle that can no longer be seen today, is a must-see. At the shop, you can buy Date Masamune goods limited to the Sendai Castle ruins and souvenir sweets, as well as watch a demonstration and sale of "kokeshi" by a traditional craftsman. The food court offers local specialties such as "hara-komeshi" and "gyutan-don," making it a great spot to enjoy Sendai tourism. Admission is 700 yen for adults, 500 yen for middle and high school students, and 300 yen for elementary school students, with group discounts available.

Point 6

View the Scenery of the Past with a Dedicated Scope VR

By wearing a dedicated scope around your neck and peering through it while moving to different viewing points, you can see a 360-degree panorama of Sendai Castle, which was built by Masamune Date 400 years ago. The dedicated scope can be borrowed from the Aoba Castle Museum of History and Culture, and a discount ticket set including admission to the museum and VR goggles can be obtained on the official website. Please print it out and bring it with you or present the screen on your smartphone. You can experience a time travel by seeing Sendai Castle, which cannot be seen now, in VR.

Access

Convenient Access via the "Loop Sendai" Tour Bus

If using public transportation, take the "Loop Sendai" tour bus from bus stop 16 at the west exit bus pool of JR Sendai Station, and you will arrive at the nearest temporary bus stop, "Sendai Castle Ruins" (inside the Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan parking lot), in about 26 minutes. If taking the subway, get off at the "Kokusai Center Station" on the Tozai Line, and it's about a 20-minute walk to the Honmaru. Alternatively, take the city bus bound for Aobadai from bus stop 3 at the Yagiyama Zoological Park Station on the Tozai Line, and you will arrive at the "Sendai Castle Ruins South" bus stop in about 3 minutes. From the Aobayama Station on the Tozai Line, take the city bus bound for Yagiyama Zoological Park Station, and you will arrive at the same bus stop in about 6 minutes. Please check the timetable as both buses run only once per hour. If traveling by car, it takes about 20 minutes from Sendai Station, but since the Fukushima offshore earthquake in March 2022, access is not available via the usual route and a detour is necessary. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Parking

Parking Lot Right Next to a Spot with a Panoramic View of the City

There is a parking lot near Honmaru Kaikan that can accommodate 150 regular cars and 30 large buses. As soon as you get off, you will see Honmaru Kaikan, and in the back, you can see the statue of Date Masamune on horseback. It's a convenient parking lot. From April 1, 2023, there will be a change in fees, with regular cars costing 600 yen per hour and 300 yen every 30 minutes. After 6 pm, parking is free, so you can visit to see the night view.

Sightseeing

Numerous Must-See Tourist Spots for Sightseeing in Sendai

There are many tourist spots around the site of Sendai Castle. Recommended for those interested in history and culture are the Sendai City Museum and Zuiganji Temple, both within walking distance, as well as the National Treasure Osaki Hachiman Shrine, which was founded by Date Masamune in 1607 and is registered as an important cultural property of the country. In addition, there are spots where you can enjoy nature, such as walking along the riverbank, as the Hirose River, which is beloved by many citizens as a symbol of "The City of Trees" Sendai, flows nearby. The Hirose River is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

Basic Information

	Address	1 Kawachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 980-0862
	TEL	022-222-0218
	Web Site	http://www.honmarukaikan.com/

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