Zao is a mountainous region located in south-west Miyagi – perhaps best known for the beautiful Okama crater located close to the summit of Mount Zao, which also borders Yamagata prefecture further to the west. Zao is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts as well as the natural &..
Ask any resident of Sendai about their city and they will tell you it is sumiyasui, meaning easy to live. This capital city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tohoku region is not too big, not too small, not too hot, and not too cold as you’ll often hear. You can enjoy every sea..
Ishinomaki is a large city located along the eastern coast of Miyagi prefecture. Whilst considered to be one of the most heavily damaged areas following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Ishinomaki is doing remarkably well. Though reconstruction activities will likely continue for years to come..
I have visited and reviewed many cafes in Sendai, and they each have their own personality. Of course, there are rough categories you can put each one in, but it’s their uniqueness that I enjoy. Green Planet shares several similarities with pl..
If you happen to find yourself passing through Ishinomaki, perhaps on your way to Sendai, Fukushima, or even for those lucky enough to go to Tashiro Island, stopping by at the iconic Coffekan is a must do. Despite being set on a single floor in a rel..
Have you ever been in Japan a long time and miss something that feels like home? Or maybe you remember going to your grandmother's house and having a dish especially made for you. This place gives you that kind of atmosphere. Mieko Obara is wonde..
On a narrow street just off the main strip in the heart of the sightseeing area of Matsushima sits a little guesthouse. Uchi, meaning home in Japanese, owned by Eiju Nakamura, is not your typical lodging spot in Japan. For starters, Eiju speaks Engl..
The Sendai Metropolitan Hotel is one of the city’s top premium hotels. A single step into the establishment’s magnificent lobby is all one needs to realise this. An enchanting art installation cascades from the ceiling, mirroring a flight..
Hand-stitched carpet made in Yamagata Prefecture covering the floor and hallways, a charming teacup collection displayed in the café, Japanese carp swimming playfully around the indoor pond. The ultimate in luxury starts the moment you step in..
Cat Island, otherwise known as Tashirojima, is located 50 min south of Miyagi's Ishinomaki area, accessible by ferry from the mainland. There are over 600 cats living on the island – six times the number of human residents! With the island&..
I knew Kokeshi dolls were one of the most popular dolls of Japan. When I knew I was going to visit Japan, I thought I’d run into kokeshi everywhere. But, I was mistaken. In Tokyo, I didn’t see any kokeshi doll at all! So my friend, a doll..
Money is power. It is also art, history, and a surprisingly fun and unique souvenir. For myself, an occasional collector of Japanese coins, I was frustrated at the lack of places that actually sell coins north of Tokyo. Much more common are advertis..
