Soon it will be peak colors in Miyagi, so catch the leaves before mid-month! As the month continues there are some noteworthy food-related events to enjoy, too, including an oyster festival in Matsushima.
1. Hyslom temporary human (Exhibition at sendai mediatheque)
When: 11/3 to 12/28 11-8PM
See this installation for this trio who are known for their performance art "Field Play." They stage physical performances outside deconstructing the ordinary image of modern people and presenting new ways of temporary human existence. This large-scale exhibition includes recordings, images and objects made over a 10 year period.
Admission: 500 yen
Where: sendai mediatheque, 6 floor gallery 4200
Access: Sendai Loople bus or 7 min. walk from Kotodai-koen Subway Station
Details (JP): https://www.smt.jp/projects/hyslom_ten/
2. Manga Culture Festival (Ishinomaki)
When: 11/3, 9-5PM
What better way to celebrate manga day (of course you knew it was manga day) than to travel to Ishinomaki to the ark-like Mangattan manga museum. This year would have been the 80th birthday of famed local artist Ishinomori Shotaro and this year is dedicated to infinity, the possibilities of manga and the boundlessness of space. There will be games, live painting, mutant mole rice to eat and more.
Where: Ishinomori Manga Museum
Admission: 800 yen
Access: 12 min. walk from JR Ishinomaki Station (Senseki Line and Senseki-Tohoku Line)
3. Zuihoden Autumn Light Up
When: 11/ 9-11/11, and 11/16-11/18 5-7PM
The Date family mausoleums surrounded by forrest are atmospheric in day and a completely different experience at night. It is only open for a few days, so don't miss it! There is also an art exhibition related to the 3rd Date family ruler daily until 11/19 from 9AM-4:30PM.
Admission: 550 yen
Access: Loople Bus from Sendai Station (special evening hours), or less than a 20 min. walk from downtown
Details (JP): https://www.zuihoden.com/autumn/720
4. SOL All Night Party at Shaft
When: 11/10 9:30PM-4AM
Head to Kokubuncho's Club Shaft for a quarterly all-night dance party. Bands include Blacky's Boot Funk, G.F.D. City and The Attractions. There will also be dance performances, a belly dance show and more.
Tickets: 2700 yen at door (2000 yen for students)
Where: Club Shaft
Access: 10 min. walk from Hirosedori Subway Station
Details (JP): https://www.facebook.com/events/503425653497746/
5. Sendai Cooking Meetup
When: 11/16, 7-9PM
Sendai Tourist Information Desk and Hostel KIKO teamed up for a fun cooking party where you can learn Japanese home cooking. Open to both locals and overseas visitors, this is the perfect event to make new friends from all over the world!
Cost: 1500 yen (1000 yen for students). Email registration required.
Where: Hostel Kiko
Access: 15. min walk from Sendai Station or 5 min. walk from Itsutsubashi Subway Station
Details (EN): https://www.facebook.com/events/319497852167218/
6. Tsunami and Recovery Tour to Sendai's Coast
When: 11/17, 9:45-1:15PM
Go with local residents to see how Sendai's coastal area is doing 7 years after the tsunami. Hear from people who experienced the disasters and visit a school which survived the tsunami and find out how it saved many lives. Equally important, learn about the future of Sendai's coastal neighborhoods in Arai.
Cost: 2120 yen ticket (plus 480 yen for bus transportation)
Details (EN): link
7. Matsushima Oyster Festival in Isojima (Matsushima)
When: 11/23, 9AM-2PM
This festival is put on directly by Matsushima's fishermen.Stop by for free oyster samples (grilled oysters and oyster soup), to buy oysters at a special price, for oyster grills (fee) and of course stage events and other fun activities.
Admission: Free
Where: Isojima
Access: 11 min. walk from Takagimachi Station (JR Senseki Line or Senseki-Tohoku Line)
Details (JP): https://www.facebook.com/events/233744053963480/
8. Osaki Balloon Festival (Osaki City)
When: 11/23-25 6:30AM
Visit Iwadeyama in Osaki City for the annual "Osaki Balloon Festival." In addition to watching colorful hot air balloons, there will be a chance for 200 people to go up in a balloon from 7:30AM. The first balloon launch is at 6:30AM each day, so arrive early!
Admission: Free
Where: Attaka Park
Access: 10 min. walk from Yubikan Station (JR Riku East Line)
9. FESTINA, Indonesian Festival in Sendai 2018 (Charity event for Palu, Sulawesi, Indonesia)
When: 11/24, 9-4PM
Following the recent disaster that struck Palu, the Indonesian Student Association in Sendai is working together with AriTV on a fundraising event to improve the current situation in the magnificent city of Palu.
Come and experience the beauty of Indonesian culture with the beautiful dance performances, tempting culinary experiences, and many other events!
Admission: Free
Where: Smile Glico Park
3-2-1 Miyagino, Miyagino-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken 983-0045
(Just on the left side of Rakuten Eagles Stadium)
Access: Just a short walk from Miyaginohara Station
Ongoing Events
10. Sendai City Museum: 150 Years Since the Boshin War
When: 10/26-12/9, 9-4:45PM (closed Mondays)
The last big fight of the samurai era pitted holdouts in northern Japan (including the Date family) against the forces of reformation. We know how the story ends- the end of the Shogunate and the new Meiji government, but have you ever seen artifacts from this period including rifles and paintings?
Admission: 1000 yen
Where: Sendai City Museum
Access: Tozai Subway Line to International Center Station and walk 8 min.
11. Autumn Riverboat Cruise (Marumori)
When: 9/1- 11/30, 9-3:30PM (weekends)
Take a scenic boat ride down the Abukuma River. Lunchtime boats (11:30 and 1) feature an imoni stew lunch, which is popular in Tohoku in the fall. Lunch is by reservation only, 3 or more people.
Where: Abukuma Line Boat Pier (阿武隈ライン舟下り 乗船場)
Access: 20 min. walk from Marumori Station on Abukuma Express Line
Details (JP): http://marumori.jp/spot/funakudari/
12. Akiu Rairaikyo Gorge Light Up
When: 10/20 to 11/14, 5-7:30PM
Akiu has a second light-up event centered around the scenic Rairaikyo gorge. As a bonus enjoy hot drinks and a foot bath.
Location: Akiu Sato Center (秋保・里センター) , Sendai
Access: JR Bus from Sendai Station #8 (30 min) or Miyagi Kotsu local bus also from Sendai Station #8 (50 min., pay onboard)
Admission: Free
Details (JP): https://akiusato.jp/event/event_meisai.aspx?id=66
13. Akiu Night Museum (Fall Light Up)
When: 10/20 to 11/14 5-9PM (last entry 8:30)
Head to Akiu in western Sendai to enjoy the autumn leaves at night in this Japanese garden park. Highlights include trees surrounding small ponds, a 5 story pagoda and a free onsen footbath. It won a 2017 Darc Award for lighting design.
Admission: Adult 450 yen
Location: Castle Tower Nature Park (天守閣自然公園) , Akiu
Access: JR Bus from Sendai Station #8 (30 min) or Miyagi Kotsu local bus also from Sendai Station #8 (50 min., pay onboard)
Details (JP): http://akiu-sizen.co.jp/lightup/contents.html
14. Matsushima Tourism Association Oyster Shack
When: 10/25 to 3/10, enter between 10:45 and 1PM (starts at 10:30 on weekends/holidays)
Oyster season just started in Miyagi! Stop by an oyster shack in Matsushima for 40 minutes of all-you-can-eat grilled oysters.
Cost: 2200 yen, first-come, first-served with no reservations.
Access: 16 min. walk from Matsushima Station (JR Tohoku Line) or Matsushimakaigan Station (JR Senseki Line)
15. Matsushima Fall Light Up (Matsushima)
When: 10/27 (Sat.) to 11/25 (Sun.) 5:30 to 9PM
Matsushima’s beauty changes with the seasons. Starting in late October, the leaves will turn to brilliant yellows, reds and oranges. To celebrate the changing of the seasons, key fall color viewing spots will be specially illuminated at night, including Entsuin Temple, the Zuiganji Temple caves, Kanrantei Tea House and more. The two sightseeing boat companies will also offer evening cruises. A number of local restaurants will also have evening hours and there are food trucks in Central Park next to the pier.
Where: Entsuin Temple, caves by Zuiganji Temple, Kanrantei Tea House, Sightseeing boats and more!
- Admission
- Entsuin Temple: 500 yen
- Kanrantei Tea House: 500 yen (includes tea and a dessert) (open 4-7:30PM on 10/27, 11/2, 11/3, 11/9, 11/10, 11/16, 11/17, 11/22, 11/23, 11/24, 11/25)
- Matsushima Bay Light Up Cruise (Marubun Matsushima): Fri., Sat., Sun., holiday from 5-5:40PM, 1000 yen link
- Matsushima Sunset Cruise (Shimameguri Co.), varies based on sunset, Fri., Sat., Sun., holiday 1500 yen
- Matsushima onsen footbath: free. Open Fri., Sat., Sun., holidays from 5-8:30PM
Access: from Sendai Station take JR Senseki Line (Platform 10) to Matsushimakaigan Sta. 5 min. walk to Entsuin Temple.