Miyagi
Matsushima
Matsushima is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, along with Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Miyajima in Hiroshima. Matsushima Bay is home to 260 islands of various sizes. The famous spots from which the islands can be viewed are called the “Four Great Views,” and each spot is given a name that indicates the impression of the view.
Soukan-Otakamori, which overlooks Matsushima Bay from the east, rises 105.8 meters above sea level and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Saga-kei Mountains and the Zao mountain range in the distance. Matsushima Bay looks as beautiful as a box garden at this spot.
Zao’s Gogama
Mt. Zao, located on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan. Zao’s Ogama is a crater lake surrounded by three mountains, “Karitadake,” “Kumanodake,” and “Goshikidake,” and is a symbol of Zao along with the tree ice. It is also called “Goshiki-numa” (meaning “five-colored swamp”) because it changes its color depending on the sunlight, such as dark green and blue. It also attracts people by showing various expressions depending on the direction of view. The swamp is approximately 1 km in circumference, 325 m in diameter, and 27.6 m deep at its deepest point.
Fox Village
More than 100 free-roaming foxes greet visitors. There are a total of six species of foxes: the well-known fox, the rare silver fox, the Arctic fox (blue and white), the platinum fox, and the crossbill fox.
The park is maintained in a forest, and you can observe foxes you never knew existed, with foxes following behind you as you walk and foxes pulling on your clothes. If your timing is good, you can even hold a baby fox in your arms! In addition to foxes, visitors can also interact with rabbits, goats, and ponies.
Akiu Onsen
Akiu Onsen, a popular resort area near Sendai, has been in operation for 1,500 years, and together with Bessho Onsen and Nozawa Onsen is known as one of the “Three Goyu” hot springs in Japan, as it is said to have cured the skin disease of the 29th Emperor Kinmei in the 6th century.
Naruko Gorge
Naruko Gorge is a grand gorge created by the erosion of the Oya River. The gorge is designated as a scenic beauty spot by Miyagi Prefecture and is included in Kurikoma Quasi-National Park. 100-meter high cliffs and an abundance of oddly shaped rocks, together with trees growing on the rock faces, create a spectacular landscape. It is also one of the best places in Tohoku to view the autumn foliage, and the deep canyon is breathtakingly decorated with autumn colors! The white rock surface seen between the colored trees adds a nice accent to the scenery. Depending on the year, the best time to view the autumn leaves is from late October to early November, when the gazebo at the Naruko Gorge Rest House and the observation deck offer spectacular views.