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~5h仙台城跡

Castle hill and Zuihoden

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Castle hill and Zuihoden, Sendai–ShiogamaThe stone sign of Sendai CastleCentral SendaiSendai from the castle siteThe stone sign of Sendai CastleSendai from the castle site1 / 6

Castle hill and ZuihodenPhoto: foooomio; statue by Tōru Komuro / Public domain

Tap a photo to see it large. 6 photographs, every one credited.

Date Masamune moved his domain's seat to Sendai in 1600 and built the castle on Aobayama. The castle is gone; the statue of him on horseback looks over the city he laid out.

Round trip
5 hr
From the ship and back
Fits
a 7-hour call or longer
Margin already counted
Getting there
Taxi + train + Loople
See the rides below
Booking
Just turn up
Nothing to reserve

Checked · Visited in person · times from official timetables and operators · Takumi Yamada

Why we send people here

Date Masamune, one-eyed founder of Sendai, on horseback over the city from the castle hill, and his gilded mausoleum in the cedars nearby. Zuihoden is ¥570, open 9:00–16:50, last entry 16:30 (December and January to 16:20, last entry 16:00). The Loople bus (¥300 a ride, ¥700 day pass) links both to the station.

Before you count on it
  • 5 hr door to door needs a 7-hour call: a 2–3 hour stop cannot hold it. Pick something closer instead.
  • No single published ride covers this one. Budget for a taxi both ways, or fold it into a guided day.
The stone sign of Sendai CastleCentral SendaiSendai from the castle site
Photo: Sendai Blog / CC BY 2.0 · Photo: NORITO,S / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Bethany Weeks / CC BY-SA 2.0
Pairs well with

What to put beside it

Each of these still lands you back aboard with the hour to spare.

Build your own day
Matsushima: Godaido, the bay and Zuiganji, Sendai–ShiogamaSee · ~5h

Matsushima: Godaido, the bay and Zuiganji

Some 260 pine-topped islets in a shallow bay, counted as one of Japan’s three classic views since the 17th century.

See the detailShiogama Shrine, Sendai–ShiogamaSee · ~2.5h

Shiogama Shrine

The head shrine of the region, up 202 stone steps on a hill over the harbour, with a vermilion gate and a view of the bay.

See the detail
Build a tuna bowl at Shiogama marketEat · ~2.5h
The one rule: be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard. Build the whole day on the Sendai–Shiogama plan page.
Everything in one pageThe complete Sendai–Shiogama guide: berth, into town, your hours, tours that fitOpen the complete guide →