Today's focus is getting from Saitama Tokyo to Sendai Miyagi (宮城) and tour around with the Loople bus (above). Miyagi is one of the six prefectures in Tohoku region. Sendai is the largest city in the region.
It only takes about an hour from Omiya to Sendai although the distance is about 336 km. This is why Shinkansen is called Bullet Train. It is not cheap compared with domestic air. Usually for business travelers. However, the JR pass covers that. This is why the choice of the multi-days pass!
Sendai station is huge (don't compare it to Tokyo station though). Drop off the luggages in the hotel near the East Exit. Then come back to the West Exit for the Loople bus.
It is not easy for the 1st timer to find around. Then when you finally arrive at the bus stop, you found the line is kind of long, 15min interval (20 for weekday) and only opened till 4PM! There are other buses and subway system as well. Loople is just convinence for the 1st timer to get around.
Before getting in the line, buy the ticket at the booth first. Then you can read the route map while waiting. There are 14 stops total but around 6~7 you really want to see. The Sendai City Museam and Miyagi Museum of Art are in renovation. So two less to visit.
Skipped the Aoba-dori Ichibancho and Zuihoden for now. Senda Castle first. I admire many people hike up to the castle.
This is where you can get a panoramic view of the Sendai city and statue of Lord Masamune of horseback.
The bus passes thru Tohoku University Campus. The Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden are skipped. Osaki Hchimangu Shrine is next. This is the oldest shrine constructed in the gongen-zukuri style and is designated as a Nationl Treasure.
Tried the sweet wine at the rest stop (below).
Sweet wine on the right.
The last comes Zuihoden, the final resting place of the members of DATE clan including Lord Masamune. You get 20% off with the Loope ticket.
For dinner, must try Sendai's famous ox tongue (known as Gyūtan in Japanese). It is one of the city's most prominent and beloved local specialties.
Here are the key points about Sendai's Gyūtan:
🥩 The Sendai Gyūtan Difference
Thickness: Unlike the thin slices often found at yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants, Sendai's gyūtan is traditionally thick-cut, giving it a satisfyingly tender yet chewy texture.
Preparation: It is often aged, carefully hand-cut, seasoned simply with salt (shio), and then grilled over charcoal to give it a smoky flavor.
The Set Meal (Teishoku): It is typically served as a set, which includes the followings (picture below)
Grilled Ox Tongue
Barley Rice (Mugi-meshi)
Beef Tail Soup (a clear, savory soup with green onions)
Pickles (often nanban-miso—chili miso pickles—which cut through the richness).
💡 Why is it Famous in Sendai?
The history of gyūtan as a specialty traces back to Sendai after World War II.5
Innovation: In 1948, a yakitori restaurant owner in Sendai named Keishirō Sano was inspired by French cuisine's use of beef tongue (like in stews).
Creation: He experimented and perfected a grilling method for beef tongue, opening the first specialized gyūtan restaurant, Ajitasuke (味太助).
Popularity: The unique taste and the simplicity of the set meal caught on, and its reputation spread across Japan, largely due to business travelers coming through Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region.
The third floor of the station has a dedicated area called Gyūtan Dori (牛たん通り) or "Ox Tongue Street," featuring several of the most famous and popular gyūtan chains, such as Rikyū (利久), Kisuke (喜助), and Tanya Zenjirō (たんや善治郎). However, the long line is just something we don't expect. So ended up right outside of the station, called Gyutan Tsukasa (maps). maybe come back again during the weekday.
Blending between traditional and modern Back to Tokyo. Stay in Asakusabashi. Some people may confuse Asakusabashi with Asakusa. They are actually a few stations away and totally different. Places in Tokyo I'd like to revisit again and again are the Imperial Palace and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (新宿御苑). The Imperial Palace is big, so not easy to get tired of. And with season changes, it changes too. 一般從大手門進出 其實平川門也可以 人也比較少 Tea House 平川門外 平川門外右手邊綠地有 和気清麻呂像 Statue of Wake no Kiyomaro。 和氣清麻呂 （733年－799年）是奈良時代的著名公卿，他在日本歷史上的地位主要來自於他阻止了僧侶 道鏡 企圖篡奪皇位的事件，被視為「忠誠於天皇與國體」的象徵人物。他的銅像有兩尊 一在京都 一在東京。 Tokyo Station in the distance 南邊的桜田門 Sakurada-mon 只有特准的人才能進去。至於路標上的 桔梗門 就不清楚了。 Just to show where the above picture was taken Was looking for 海鮮丼 ran by an old couple. But they are not opened in the weekend:( Found an Indian store called Sapana near the Imperial Palace. They have good naan and curry. Not only the place is much quiet and cozy, the restroom is in five star category....
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