Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture. The city was founded in 1600 by the daimyo Date Masamune. It is nicknamed the City of Trees because Japanese zelkova trees line many of the main streets. Sendai is also famous for it's food including beef tongue (牛タン) and Zunda-mochi (ずんだ餅) which is type of Japanese confectionary popular in northeastern Japan.

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Sitting atop of the ruins of Mount Aoba, 100 metres above the town, are the ruins of Aoba Castle which was built by Date Masamune in 1600. A famous statue of Date Masamune has been erected in Aobayama Park but unfortunately is currently under repair in Tokyo after being damaged in an earthquake in 2021. The castle also provides a venue for a group of performers called Date Busyoutai who tell the story of Date Masamune and his impact on Sendai.

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Sendai is also the location of Date Masamune’s Mausoleum, the Zuihoden. In 1636, Date Masamune commanded that this mausoleum be constructed as one of his dying wishes. He was 70 years old. Zuihoden was built in 1637 on Kyougamine and is his final resting place. Several other Date lords have their mausoleums at Zuihoden:

 

• Date Tadamune , the second lord, is in the Kansenden.

• Date Tsunamune, the third lord, is in the Zennoden.

• Date Yoshumura, the fifth lord, is in area known Okosamagobyo

• Date Chikamune and Date Nariyoshi, the ninth and eleventh lords, are in area called Myounkaibyo.

 

Within the grounds of the Zuihoden complex, there is also a monument to the soldiers from Sendai who were killed during the Boshin War of 1868-1869.