Sendai 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

By Japan Guide Agency

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Overview

Discover the history, culture, and scenic beauty of Sendai and Matsushima on this private 8-hour tour with a government-licensed guide and a private vehicle. Built around your interests, this flexible itinerary lets you choose the sites that matter most, travelling in comfort with a local guide and a professional driver.

In Sendai, the elegant 'City of Trees,' explore the lavish Zuihoden mausoleum of feudal lord Date Masamune, the hilltop ruins of Aoba Castle with sweeping city views, and the National Treasure Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, then stroll the tree-lined Jozenji-dori Avenue.

Journey to Matsushima Bay, celebrated as one of the Three Most Scenic Views of Japan, where over 260 pine-clad islands dot the sea. Visit the famous Zen temple Zuiganji, the photogenic island hall of Godaido, and the tranquil gardens of Entsuin.

With a private vehicle and a guide dedicated to your group, enjoy a relaxed, personalised day exploring the gateway to northern Japan.

Activity location

Zuihoden
- 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba-ku
- 980-0814, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Sendai Station
- 1 1
- 980-0021, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

Check availability

Sorry this activity isn't available on Sat, 29 Aug

Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

Private vehicle
Customisable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list'
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.

Know before you book

- Specialised infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transport options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transport options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.
- In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
- This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Zuihoden

Zuihoden is the lavishly decorated mausoleum of Date Masamune, the powerful feudal lord who founded Sendai. Rebuilt in the ornate Momoyama style with vivid colours, gold leaf, and intricate carvings, it stands among towering cedar trees and offers a striking glimpse into the grandeur of the Date clan.

Aoba Castle Museum

Perched on Aoba Hill overlooking the city, the site of Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle) was once the seat of the powerful Date clan. While the original structures are gone, the grounds offer sweeping views over Sendai, the famous equestrian statue of Date Masamune, and a museum bringing the castle's history to life.

Osaki Hachiman Shrine

Osaki Hachimangu is one of Sendai's most important shrines and a designated National Treasure. Built in 1607 under Date Masamune, its striking black-lacquered main hall is adorned with gold and vivid colours in the lavish Momoyama style, set at the end of a peaceful, forested stone approach.

Jozenji-dori Avenue

Jozenji-dori is one of Sendai's most beloved streets, a wide tree-lined avenue shaded by rows of zelkova trees that give the city its nickname, the 'City of Trees.' A relaxing place to stroll, it comes alive with seasonal events including the famous winter illuminations and the summer jazz festival.

Matsushima Bay

Matsushima Bay is celebrated as one of the Three Most Scenic Views of Japan, a breathtaking seascape dotted with over 260 pine-clad islands. Sightseeing cruises, waterfront paths, and elevated viewpoints let travellers take in the serene, timeless beauty that has inspired poets and artists for centuries.

Zuiganji

Zuiganji is the most famous Zen temple in the Tohoku region, founded over a thousand years ago and magnificently rebuilt by Date Masamune in the early 1600s. Visitors approach along a cedar-lined path before admiring the temple's elegant main hall, gold-leaf sliding screens, and rock-cut meditation caves.

Godaido

Godaido is a small, picturesque temple hall standing on a tiny island just off the Matsushima waterfront, connected by vermilion bridges. A beloved symbol of Matsushima, its weathered wooden structure, intricate zodiac carvings, and lovely views over the bay make it one of the area's most photographed landmarks.

Entsu-in Temple

Entsuin is a serene temple in Matsushima known for its beautiful moss and rose gardens and the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, grandson of Masamune. Its tranquil grounds, atmospheric meditation gardens, and brilliant seasonal foliage, especially the autumn colours, make it one of the bay's most peaceful retreats.

Location

Activity location

Zuihoden
- 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba-ku
- 980-0814, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Sendai Station
- 1 1
- 980-0021, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

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