20 Parks in Miyagi worth your time

A recreational park in Tome City featuring a massive Dutch windmill, long roller slide, and seasonal festivals by the water.

What it is

• A public park in Tome City featuring a 21-meter Dutch windmill completed in 1991.
• The site includes an international class rowing course and a campground with various sites.
• Facilities offer a local products hall and rental cycles for visitors to use.
• It serves as the venue for the Tohoku Food Marathon and Festival.

What to see

• The 21-meter tall Dutch windmill that serves as the park symbol.
• A 111-meter long roller slide for children and adults.
• Campground facilities including both auto and grass sites.
• The international rowing course located on the adjacent water.

When to go

• Visit in August to see the Naganuma Lotus Festival.
• An annual fireworks display is held every year on August 13.
• The park hosts the Tohoku Food Marathon and Festival during the year.

Getting there

• The park is a 13-minute drive from Umegasawa Station.
• A parking lot is available with space for 200 cars and 4 buses.

Read more about Naganuma futopia park

Zuihoden is the lavish mausoleum complex of Date Masamune and his successors, worth visiting for its ornate carvings.

What it is

• Final resting place of Date Masamune, founder of Sendai domain.
• Burial site for numerous members of the Date family.
• Complex includes mausoleums for Masamune, Tadamune, and Tsunamune.
• Original mausoleum destroyed during World War II, then reconstructed.

What to see

• Ancient cedars on the steps leading to the grounds.
• Lavish mausoleums with ornate carvings and gilding.
• Nehanmon Gate with gilded Date family crests and carvings.
• Museum displaying excavated burial items like swords and helmets.
• Wooden statue of Masamune inside his mausoleum.
• Cenotaph for victims of the Boshin War.

When to go

• May 24, for Masamune's death anniversary, doors open to statue.

Official site

www.zuihoden.com

Read more about Zuihōden

Kotodai Park offers statues and art amidst seasonal foliage, hosting city festivals.

What it is

• A park with statues of historical figures and artworks.
• Venue for citywide festivals and events.

What to see

• Statues of historical figures and sculpted artworks.
• Bronze statue of sumo wrestler Tanikaze Kajinosuke.
• Cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring.
• Vibrant maples and ginkgo trees in autumn.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms and azaleas.
• Autumn for maples and ginkgo trees.
• During the Pageant of Starlight.
• During the Tanabata Festival or Aoba Festival.

Getting there

• Located off tree-lined Jozenji-dori Avenue.
• Next to the Miyagi Prefectural Government Office.

Read more about Kotodai Park

A memorial park in Minamisanriku dedicated to the 2011 earthquake victims, preserving memories and lessons.

What it is

• A park in Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture.
• Mourns victims of the 2011 earthquake disaster.
• Preserves memories and lessons of the disaster.
• Opened in October 2020 on a former urban area.

What to see

• Former Minamisanriku Town Disaster Prevention Headquarters Building.
• Prayer Hill, a mound within the park.
• Monument on Prayer Hill lists 804 victims.
• Chūbashi bridge designed by Kengo Kuma.
• Chūbashi bridge uses local cedar from Minamisanriku.

Getting there

• Accessible via Shizugawa Station.
• Shizugawa Station is on the Kesennuma Line BRT.

Address

宮城県本吉郡南三陸町志津川塩入31 Map

Official site

www.town.minamisanriku.miyagi.jp

Read more about Minamisanriku Memorial Park of Earthquake Disaster

This large park offers cherry blossoms in spring, river views, and hosts popular city festivals.

What it is

• Large park along the east bank of the Hirose River.
• Covers area between Jozenji-dori Avenue and Aoba-dori Street.

What to see

• Many cherry trees, popular for blossom viewing.
• Strolling path along the riverbank.
• Play areas for children and lawns.
• Views of Aobayama, site of Aoba Castle.
• Tower shaped like a traditional kokeshi doll.
• Steam locomotive taken out of service in 1968.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossom viewing.
• During Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival.
• During Jozenji Street Jazz Festival.

Read more about Nishi Park

Hilltop park with 260+ cherry trees, offering panoramic views of Matsushima Bay.

What it is

• A park on a hill in Matsushima Town.
• Named after the Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu pine tree.
• Legend says a monk gave up visiting Matsushima here.

What to see

• Over 260 cherry trees, mainly Somei Yoshino.
• Panoramic views of Matsushima Bay and Mt. Kinka.
• Observation deck with a statue of Byakue Kannon.
• The fenced Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu pine tree.
• Cafe terrace with 30 seats.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from JR Matsushima Kaigan Station.

Read more about Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park

Park dedicated to Hasekura Tsunenaga, a samurai who journeyed to Europe in the 17th century.

What it is

• A park in Ogō, Miyagi Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Hasekura Tsunenaga, a samurai.
• Hasekura traveled to Spain and Rome in 1613.

What to see

• Bronze statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga at the entrance.
• Grave of Hasekura Tsunenaga.
• Grave of Hasekura Shin'emon Tsunetsugu.

Getting there

• 20 minutes by car from JR Tohoku Main Line Matsushima Station.
• 20 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Yamato IC.
• 15 minutes by car from Sanriku Expressway Matsushima Ogō IC.
• 11 free parking spaces available.

Read more about Hasekura Tunenaga Memorial Park

Aobayama Park in Sendai offers castle ruins, museums, and a historic skating pond.

What it is

• An urban park in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.
• Opened in October 1925, reopened in 1953.
• Managed by Sendai City.
• Includes part of the Sendai Castle ruins.

What to see

• Sendai Castle ruins.
• Goshikinuma and Naganuma moats.
• Sendai City Museum.
• Sendai International Center.
• Shōchūhi monument, commemorating war dead.

When to go

• Goshikinuma is the birthplace of figure skating in Japan.

Getting there

• Near International Center Station.

Read more about Aobayama park

Explore a historic castle ruin park with 400 cherry trees, offering a glimpse into samurai history.

What it is

• An urban park built on the ruins of Okubo Castle.
• Miyazawa Kamon Tokizane built the castle.
• Construction occurred between 1504 and 1520.
• The Omatsuzawa clan, a Date family member, lived here.

What to see

• 400 cherry trees are planted in the park.
• Site of a mountain castle with a 70-meter relative height.
• Selected as one of Miyagi's '100 New Tourist Spots of Castles'.

Getting there

• 20 minutes by car from Kashimadai Station.

Read more about Ōkubo Castle Ruins Park

A city park in Ishinomaki with stadiums for professional baseball and J. League football.

What it is

• A city park with sports facilities.
• Owned by Ishinomaki City.
• Seihoku acquired naming rights on June 30, 2019.

What to see

• Ishinomaki Municipal Baseball Stadium hosts professional games.
• Baseball stadium is a main venue for high school and amateur games.
• Ishinomaki Football Field hosts J. League mini-camps.
• Football field holds J. League Satellite League matches.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from JR Ishinomaki Station.

Read more about Seihoku Park Ishinomaki

A children's museum and mall dedicated to Anpanman, offering family fun near Sendai Station.

What it is

• A theme park for children, dedicated to Anpanman.
• Opened in July 2011 after a delay.
• Features a museum area and a shopping mall.

What to see

• Museum area on the second floor (admission fee).
• Shopping mall on the first floor (free admission).
• 18 stores, including shops and restaurants.
• Child-rearing Support Information Station.

Getting there

• 9-minute walk from Sendai Station East Exit.
• Paid parking lot with 115 spaces.

Official site

www.sendai-anpanman.jp

Read more about Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall

Miyagi Zao Fox Village is a unique zoo where you can interact with many foxes.

What it is

• A private zoo founded in 1990.
• It focuses on exhibiting foxes.
• Houses about 250 foxes of 6 species.
• All foxes are artificially bred.

What to see

• Over 100 foxes roaming freely in a large fenced forest.
• Rare fox-holding experience is offered.
• Foxes appeared in the 2006 movie 'Kogitsune Helen'.

When to go

• Open year-round, seven days a week.

Getting there

• Jumbo taxi service began on April 1, 2015.

Official site

zao-fox-village.com

Read more about Miyagi Zao Fox Village

Tsutsujigaoka Park is a historic urban park, famous for its cherry blossoms since the Edo period.

What it is

• An urban park in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
• Historically known as Miyagino, a utamakura (poetic place name).
• Named for its abundance of azaleas.
• Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks in 1989.

What to see

• Over 370 cherry trees, mainly weeping varieties.
• Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine, relocated in 1667.
• Shakado Hall, established in 1695 by Date Tsunamura.

When to go

• Spring, for cherry blossom viewing.

Read more about Tsutsujigaoka Park

Oshika Gobansho Park offers panoramic views and a historic lookout post on the Oshika Peninsula.

What it is

• A park opened in 1992.
• Located within Sanriku Fukko National Park.
• Features a restored Edo period lookout post.
• Lookout post established by the Sendai domain.

What to see

• Hexagonal observation tower with 360-degree views.
• Restored Edo period lookout post.
• Views from 188 meters above sea level.

Getting there

• 60-70 minute drive from Ishinomaki Kanan IC.
• Located at the southern end of Miyagi Prefectural Road 220.

Read more about Oshika Gobansho Park

A large horticulture center in Sendai, redeveloped after a tsunami, offering free admission and green spaces.

What it is

• An agricultural and horticultural facility.
• Opened in 1989 as Sendai City Agriculture and Horticulture Center.
• Redeveloped as a support facility for agricultural regeneration.
• Reopened in April 2016 after tsunami damage.

What to see

• A large site covering 106,986 square meters.
• One of Sendai's 'Mori no Miyako Green Scenic Spots 100 Selections'.

Getting there

• About 2.1 kilometers southeast of Arai Station.

Address

〒984-0032　宮城県仙台市若林区荒井字切新田13-1 Map

Official site

sendai-nogyo-engei-center.jp

Read more about Sendai City Agriculture & Horticulture Center

Tohoku University Botanical Gardens: a large natural space protecting native plants and wildlife.

What it is

• Natural botanical garden established by Tohoku University.
• Opened in 1958 as Aobayama Botanical Garden.
• Main Garden is 590,000 square meters.
• Part of a national natural monument and wildlife protection area.

What to see

• Main Garden and Hakkoda Mountain Branch Garden.
• Large area of protected natural monument.
• Current main building completed in 1996.

When to go

• Open from spring equinox to November 30th.

Address

〒980-0862　宮城県仙台市青葉区川内12-2 Map

Official site

web.tohoku.ac.jp

Read more about Tohoku University Botanical Gardens

Kasenuma Park is a large urban park with cherry trees and migratory birds, worth visiting for nature lovers.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park, mostly in Rifu Town.
• A portion extends into Tagajo City.
• Developed until April 2001.
• Nicknamed Moririn Kasenuma Park.

What to see

• About 250 cherry trees.
• Many migratory birds in winter.
• A baseball field.
• A soccer field.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed from December 29 to January 3.

Getting there

• About 1 kilometer from Shin-Rifu Station.

Read more about Kasenuma Park

A university-run medicinal botanical garden in Sendai dedicated to the study of pharmaceutical plants and medical science.

What it is

• A medicinal botanical garden attached to Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University.
• The institution was originally founded as a pharmaceutical professional school in 1939.
• It serves as a research and educational facility for the Faculty of Pharmacy.
• The garden is part of a university that operates two hospitals in Sendai City.

When to go

• The university celebrates its founding anniversary every year on May 20th.

Read more about Tōhoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Botanical Garden

Dainohara Forest Park is a large urban green space, preserving a natural gorge and offering cultural attractions.

What it is

• A large forest park in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
• Opened in April 1973 as a centennial commemoration project.
• Located within the Nanakita Hills, preserving a natural gorge.
• Covers approximately 60 hectares, mostly state-owned forest.

What to see

• Sculpture "Green Wind" within the park.
• Sculpture "Jasmine" within the park.
• Sendai City Science Museum on the east side.
• Sendai Literature Museum on the west side.

Read more about Dainohara Forest Park

Miyagi Sports Park is a large sports complex that hosted the FIFA World Cup.

What it is

• Large sports park, nicknamed "Grandy 21".
• Developed for the 56th National Sports Festival in 2001.
• Opened facilities sequentially starting in 1995.
• Owned by Miyagi Prefecture.

What to see

• Miyagi Stadium, capacity 49,133 people.
• Miyagi Prefectural General Sports Park General Gymnasium.
• Park covers 146.1 hectares.
• Stadium hosted 2002 FIFA World Cup matches.
• Celebration venue for 2020 Tokyo Olympics torch relay.

Official site

www.mspf.jp

Read more about Miyagi Sports Park