Miyagi Zao and Shiroishi are home to tourist attractions such as Atago Shrine, Nippon Paper, and Atago Shrine, tourist events such as the Oni-Kojuro Festival, Natsukoshi Festival, and Shiroishi Castle Cherry Blossom Festival, and local delicacies such as harako-meshi, macaroons, and Zao cheese.
Miyagi Zao Town is located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture and extends to the foot of the Zao Mountain Range. The Zao mountain range is part of the Ou Mountains and is called Karitamine or Mt. The Zao mountain range is located on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, and the main peak is Kumanodake, located on the Yamagata side. Because the Zao mountain range is a volcano, numerous hot springs are located at the foot of the mountain, and many ski resorts are known as Zao's ski resorts.
For this reason, the ski slopes are one of the main tourist attractions, and the hot spring resort area there is Miyagi Zao's tourist style. The main hot springs on the Miyagi side include Togatta Hot Springs, Aone Hot Springs and Togatta Hot Springs, where night skiing is also very popular.
One of the best places to visit in Miyagi Zao is the only state-run park in the Tohoku region, the National Michinoku Morino Lakeside Park, located on the shores of Lake Kamabusa at the foot of Mt. The park is blessed with abundant water and greenery, and is well known as a place where visitors can experience the climate and culture of the Tohoku region.
The park is popular for its Furusato Village tour, a collection of old houses representing the six prefectures of the Tohoku region. The newly opened new area, Kaze no meadow in the north district, has a multi-purpose court and a dog run.
Sai-no-hiroba is a large flowerbed with tulips in spring, marigolds and salvia in summer, and pansies and violas in winter. Children and adults alike can enjoy the lakeside plaza, game plaza, and Warasuko plaza, while the Toki no Hiroba has real ammonite fossils and the multipurpose hall "Furu Furu" offers hands-on crafts at its workshop. In addition, there is a plaza called Kaze no mebara (windy meadow).
In terms of sightseeing in Miyagi Zao, there is the Zao Dairy Center, which produces and sells cheese using fresh milk from cows raised in the Nanokaibara Plateau.
Shiroishi City, a castle town nestled in the mountains of Zao, is a city with many historical sites and famous hot springs such as Kamasaki Onsen and Obara Onsen, and a tour of hot spring towns such as Togatta Onsen and Aone Onsen is also an enjoyable sightseeing experience. Shiroishi Castle, located in the center of Shiroishi City, is one of the few structures in Japan that has been restored using wooden construction and has become a symbol of Shiroishi City.
The rows of cherry blossoms in the "Ichimoku-senbon-zakura" (one thousand cherry trees) are a must-see during the cherry blossom season. The early spring color contrast between the rows of cherry trees and the snow-capped Zao mountain range is magnificent, and the area has been selected as one of the 100 best places for cherry blossom viewing.
Michinoku Lakefront Park, officially known as National Michinoku Lakefront Park, is a vast national government-run park located along Lake Kamafusa in Kawasaki Town, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture. Known locally as Michinoku Park, it is the only national government park in the Tohoku region of Japan. Covering an extensive natural landscape, the park offers a wide variety of recreational acti...»
Shiroishi Castle is a historic Japanese castle located in Masuoka Park in central Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture. Also known as Masuoka Castle or Matsuoka Castle, it stands on a hill and is preserved today as a designated historic site of Shiroishi City. The castle is particularly associated with the Katakura clan, powerful retainers of the Date family who ruled the area for more than 260 year...»
Nametsu Otaki Waterfall is a spectacular waterfall in Shichikashuku Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. Located upstream from Shichikashuku Dam at the foot of the Zao Mountains, the waterfall is approximately 10 meters high and 30 meters wide. Its powerful flow spreads across almost the entire width of the river, cascading over a series of rock terraces with a tremendous roar. Because the wa...»
Shiroishi River Hitome Senbonzakura is one of Miyagi Prefecture's most famous cherry blossom destinations and one of the most spectacular spring landscapes in the Tohoku region of Japan. Approximately 1,200 cherry trees line both banks of the Shiroishi River for about 8 kilometers, creating a magnificent avenue of blossoms stretching between Shibata Town and Ogawara Town. When the cherry trees a...»
Lake Choro is a beautiful natural lake in Shichikashuku, Miyagi Prefecture, located at an elevation of approximately 500 meters at the foot of Mount Fubo, one of the prominent peaks of the Zao Mountains. The lake was originally a small pond but was later expanded as a water source for hydroelectric power generation. Today, it forms a scenic body of water with a circumference of approximately 2 ki...»
Kanahebisui Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Iwanuma, Miyagi Prefecture. Long associated with business prosperity, financial good fortune, and protection from misfortune, the shrine attracts worshippers from across Miyagi and the wider Tohoku region. The shrine is also known as a "shrine of flowers" and is particularly famous for its beautiful seasonal gardens. Every May, the Peony, Wisteria...»
Sairi Yashiki, also known as the Sairi Yashiki Folk Museum, is a fascinating historic museum in Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture. The museum occupies the former residence and storehouses of the Saito Risuke family, a wealthy merchant family that prospered from the late Edo period through the early Showa period. The Saito family began as a kimono and textile merchant and gradually expanded into a wide ...»
A Spectacular Drive Through Snow Walls and Autumn Colors Zao Echo Line is a scenic mountain road stretching approximately 26 km across the Zao Mountains, connecting Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Opened in 1962, the road has become one of Tohoku’s most popular scenic driving routes, attracting visitors with its dramatic mountain landscapes and seasonal sce...»
One of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots Funaoka Castle Ruins Park is one of the most famous cherry blossom destinations in Miyagi Prefecture. Located in Shibata Town, the park was selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots. Approximately 1,000 cherry trees grow throughout the park. In spring, they create a spectacular landscape together with the famous Hitome Sen...»
A Scenic Suspension Bridge Surrounded by Nature Yamabiko Suspension Bridge is a spectacular scenic attraction in Shichikashuku Town, Miyagi Prefecture. Stretching across the beautiful Yokokawa Gorge, the bridge is one of the largest suspension bridges in the Tohoku region. The bridge measures approximately 120 meters in length and stands about 20 meters above the ground. From the center of the b...»
Togatta Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. With a history of more than 400 years, the hot spring town has long welcomed visitors seeking relaxation amid the beautiful natural surroundings of the Zao Mountains. Located at an elevation of approximately 330 meters, the resort spreads across a scenic highland area. Each season brings a differ...»
Miyagi Zao Fox Village is a unique animal park and tourist attraction located at the foot of the Zao Mountains in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture. As one of the few places in the world where visitors can observe a large number of foxes living in a spacious, natural-style environment, it has become a popular destination for travelers from Japan and overseas. Approximately 250 foxes are kept at the fa...»
Hokkimeshi is a traditional local dish from the coastal areas of southern Miyagi Prefecture, particularly Watari Town and Yamamoto Town. Made with hokki-gai (northern surf clam), which is at its best from winter through spring, the dish captures the rich flavor of the sea in a bowl of warm rice. The clam is gently cooked in a soy sauce-based seasoning, and the resulting cooking broth is then used...»
Harako Meshi is a traditional local dish from Watari Town in Miyagi Prefecture. Often described as a Japanese-style salmon and salmon roe rice bowl, it combines tender cooked salmon with glistening salmon roe, or ikura, served over rice cooked in a flavorful salmon broth. The rice is traditionally cooked with the broth left from simmering the salmon, giving it a light brown color and a rich savor...»
Shiroishi Umen is a traditional noodle specialty from Shiroishi City in southern Miyagi Prefecture, at the foot of the Zao Mountains. Loved locally for more than 400 years, these short, hand-stretched dried noodles are made without using any oil. Shiroishi was once a castle town ruled by Katakura Kojuro Kagenaga, a senior retainer of Date Masamune. Today, the city is known for its beautiful natur...»
Okama is a spectacular crater lake located in the central part of the Zao Mountain Range, on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Also known as Goshiki-numa, or the “Five-Color Lake,” Okama is one of the most famous natural landmarks in the Zao Mountains. Surrounded by a circular outer volcanic ridge and a central volcanic cone, the landscape resembles a traditional Japanese cookin...»
Hekigyokukei Gorge is a beautiful valley carved by the Shiroishi River in the western part of Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is also known as Ohara Valley, after the name of the surrounding area. The gorge is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, which changes with the seasons. Fresh greenery brightens the valley in spring, deep green forests surround the clear stream in summer, and br...»
The Former Koseki Residence is a historic samurai house located along the Sawabata River, just north of Shiroishi Castle in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture. Once the home of a middle-ranking samurai who served the Katakura family, the former lords of Shiroishi Castle, the residence is an important cultural property that preserves the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town. During restoration work, ...»
Takekoma Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the center of Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. The shrine has long been known as Takekoma Inari and was historically called “Takekuma Myojin.” It is sometimes counted among Japan’s Three Great Inari Shrines and has attracted worshippers from across the country for centuries. During the first three days of the New Year, Takekoma Shrine welcome...»
Shichikashuku Dam is a massive rockfill dam in Shichikashuku Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. Built on the clear waters of the Shiroishi River, the dam plays an important role in flood control and water supply in the Miyagi region. Rising 90 meters high, the dam is an impressive structure surrounded by the mountains of southern Miyagi. Behind the dam lies Lake Shichikashuku, a beautiful r...»
Shiroishigawa Sen-o Park is a scenic flower park in Shibata Town, Miyagi Prefecture. Located beside the Shiroishi River, the park offers beautiful views of the river, seasonal flowers, and the majestic Zao Mountains in the background. The park was completed in March 2017 and is located next to Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, another famous flower-viewing destination in the area. Together, these parks ...»
Zaimokuiwa Park is a scenic park located near the boundary between Shiroishi City and Shichikashuku Town in Miyagi Prefecture. Surrounded by the clear waters of the Shiroishi River and dramatic rock formations, the park is a place where visitors can experience both nature and local history. The park takes its name from Obara no Zaimokuiwa, a spectacular rock formation designated as a National Nat...»
Kakuda City Space Tower and Cosmo House is a space-themed attraction in Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture. Kakuda has developed its identity as a "town of space", and this facility is one of the city's most recognizable symbols. Visitors can see rocket and satellite models up close, learn about the history of space exploration, and discover technologies used in Japan's space development programs. Am...»
Kattamine Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Miya, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. Also known as Shiratori Daimyojin, the shrine has long been an important center of worship in the Katta area and is closely associated with the ancient Shiratori, or White Bird, tradition. The shrine is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an important 10th-century record of Shinto shrines, as...»
Kattamine Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Togatta Onsen, Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture. It has a close connection with the sacred mountains of the Zao Range and has long been an important center of Zao mountain worship. The shrine has two locations. The shrine at the summit of Mount Katta-dake, the highest peak of the Zao Range at an elevation of 1,758 meters, is known as the Okumiya ...»
Kakuda Space Center (KSPC) is an important research facility operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture. The center plays a major role in Japan's space program, particularly in the research and development of rocket engines. Rocket engines are the propulsion systems that provide the enormous thrust needed to send satellites and spacecraft into spac...»
Sankai Waterfall, also known as Sankai-no-Taki, is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Tohoku region. Located in Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture, this beautiful three-tiered waterfall has been selected as one of the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall is formed where the Ishikozawa River, flowing down the northern slope of Mt. Ushiro-eboshidake in the Zao mountain ran...»
Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum, also known as the Zao Town Traditional Industry Hall, is a cultural facility in Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture, dedicated to the history and artistry of kokeshi, traditional wooden dolls from the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Surrounded by the natural scenery at the foot of the Zao Mountains, the museum introduces visitors to the long history and regional diversity of k...»
Miyagi Zao Eboshi Ski Resort is a large mountain resort in Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. It is one of the leading winter destinations in the prefecture and offers a wide range of activities for skiers and snowboarders. The resort is also more than a winter sports destination. From spring through autumn, visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers, alpine plants, colorful foliage, hiking, a...»
Kozoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple of the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism in Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture. Traditionally founded in 819, during the early Heian period, the temple has served as an important place of Buddhist faith for more than 1,200 years. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and located beside a quiet mountain stream, Kozoji has a peaceful atmosphere quite differe...»
Yajiro Kokeshi Village is a sightseeing and cultural attraction in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, dedicated to Yajiro Kokeshi, one of the traditional wooden doll styles of the Tohoku region. Kokeshi are simple wooden dolls that have been made in the hot spring areas of Tohoku since the late Edo period. They were originally popular as souvenirs for visitors staying at hot springs for therapeutic re...»
Zao Cheese is a collection of Japanese natural cheeses produced in the rich natural surroundings of Nanokahara Plateau, at the foot of the Zao Mountains in Miyagi Prefecture. Made from high-quality fresh milk produced by dairy cows raised in the cool climate and abundant pastures of Zao, the cheeses are carefully crafted by skilled cheesemakers. One of the greatest attractions of Zao Cheese is it...»
Kamasaki Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. With a history dating back more than 600 years to 1428, it is considered one of the region's long-established hot spring destinations. For centuries, Kamasaki Onsen has been known as a traditional healing hot spring, or toji resort, where people visited for extended stays to rel...»
Zaō Beef is a regional brand of beef raised amid the rich natural environment of the Zaō Mountains, which extend across Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures. Cattle are carefully raised on farms in the foothills of the mountains, where the air is clean, the water is clear, and the changing seasons create a favorable environment for livestock. Producers place great importance on the health and well-bei...»
Hokkigai, known in English as the surf clam, is a large bivalve prized for its elegant sweetness, firm texture, and rich umami flavor. Sometimes referred to in Japan as the “king of shellfish,” it has long been enjoyed by seafood lovers. In Miyagi Prefecture, one of the best-known ways to enjoy hokkigai is Hokkimeshi, a traditional local rice dish made with the clam. Especially in the southern to...»
Okuzukake is a traditional local dish that has been passed down for generations, particularly in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture. This hearty soup is made by simmering seasonal vegetables, tofu, deep-fried tofu, mushrooms, konjac, and other ingredients in a flavorful broth, then thickening the soup with kudzu starch or potato starch. One of the most distinctive features of Okuzukake is the...»
Korogaki is a traditional specialty of Marumori Town in Miyagi Prefecture, enjoyed mainly from autumn through winter. It is a type of dried persimmon made from Hachiya persimmons, a large and well-shaped variety known for its suitability for drying. Freshly harvested persimmons are carefully peeled by hand and then dried slowly in the sun while being exposed to the cold seasonal winds blowing dow...»
Zao Dairy Center is a facility surrounded by the rich natural landscape of the Zao area, where a variety of cheeses and dairy products, including the famous Zao Cheese, are produced and sold. The spacious grounds offer much more than shopping, with facilities for tasting and purchasing cheese, a restaurant serving cheese-based dishes, snack facilities, and a beautiful rose garden. Cream cheese, n...»
Zao Fureai Farm Heartland is a spacious farm surrounded by the magnificent natural scenery of the Zao area. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing farm experience while getting close to animals such as cows and sheep. Covering approximately 100 hectares, equivalent to about 20 Tokyo Domes, the farm offers expansive highland landscapes and plenty of open space. In addition to observing the animals in their...»
The Former Sato Family Residence is a traditional farmhouse in Takakura, Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture. Built around the middle of the Edo period, in the 18th century, the house provides a valuable glimpse into the everyday life of a farming family in northeastern Japan. The residence was designated as a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property in 1971. The following year, it was reloca...»