2 weeks in sendai

Hello everyone,

I will be spending 2 weeks in Sendai later this year,and would like to know whether or not it would be worth buying a JR East pass (the 10 day + flexible 4 day tickets), or if i should just pay-as-I-go?
Also, besides Matsushima, which places outside of Sendai would be recommended for day trips?

Thanks for any advice:)

Whether a pass pays off or not entirely depends on your exact travel itinerary.

Here are some things to see:
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1102.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1103.html

With 2 weeks, you can do a loop tour of beautiful Tohoku region instead of just staying put in Sendai. Northern Honshu is not yet spoilt by over-crowded tourist.

For scenery, there are 4 beautiful lakes, Tarawa-ko, Towada-ko, Okama-ko and Inawashiro-ko which is filled with lovely swan in winter. The Oirase Stream trail in Towada-ko is very popular during fall for autumn foliage, so is Naruko Gorge. For landscape, there are spectacular Geibikei Gorge, Gembikei Gorge and Naruko Gorge. A unique winter scenic destination is Zao-san where people make special trip up there from Jan. to Mar. to see the Juhyo snow monsters. If one is into skiing, one can ski among them. They are even lit up at night. The Aspite Line in Hachimantai Plateau has snow corridor similar to that of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, but in Dec. the route will probably be closed. For hiking, there are the Bandai Plateau and the Dewa Sanzan whose 3 peaks are considered to be pilgrimage places by the people of Japan. And of course, there is the ever popular scenic cruise in Matsushima.

For temples and shrines, Yama-dera is spectacularly perched against the mt. slopes with breathtaking view on top. In Matsushima, there are Zuigan-ji and Godai-do. In Hiraizumi there are Motsu-ji and Chuson-ji whose Konjiki-do golden hall is said to be Japan's first designated national treasure.

For history, Kakunodate and Aizu-wakamatsu with its Tsuruga Castle are worth a look if you are interested in samurai. The lovely setting of the village Ouchijyaku overrides its historical significance. With its thatched rooftop houses, it is a sort of "Shirakawa-go in the north". Kitakata has lots of preserved historical kura storehouses. For archaeology, do not miss the Sannai-Maruyama Iseki site in Aomori and the unique Tomizawa Site Museum in Sendai.

For scenic train rides, the Gono Line between Akita and Hirosaki/Aomori along the coast has special tatami viewing seats. Another special stove train is in Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture where inside the classic steam train compartment is a stove which food is grilled and one can enjoy hot buns or fry squids during the journey in winter.

For onsen experience, there is beautiful Ginzan Onsen. Other popular destinations include Nyuto Onsen, Naruko Onsen Akiu Onsen and Zao Onsen.

For food, Sendai is famous for grilled gyu-tan ox tongue, Matushima for fresh oyster, Kesennuma for shark fin, Kitakata and Morioka for ramen, Yonezawa for beef, Yuzawa for udon and Aomori for apple.

If you can only do daytrips from Sendai, Matsushima is the obvious choice. Yama-dera can be done in half a day. Hiraizumi, Zao Onsen and Akiu Onsen can also be done as daytrips.

Hi William would it be possible to see both Hiraizumi and Matsushima in one day if time is really really limited???

I wouldn't recommend doing Hiraizumi and Matsushima on the same day.

Going to Hiraizumi from Sendai requires a train transfer in Ichinoseki. Where you arrive in Hiraizumi, you take the town loop bus to Chuson-ji. From the bus stop you still have to hike up quite a distance to reach the Konjiki-do. After Chuson-ji, you take the loop bus back to Motsu-ji and then the loop bus again back to the JR station. You have to take into account the waiting time of the train transfer and that of the loop bus as well. By the time you finish the visit and get back to Sendai, it would be late in the afternoon at the earliest. So don't try to squeeze in Matsushima which deserves more time than just a couple of hours.

Excellent: will take advice definitely and allow more time..thanks very much, yet again

Hi fmj

You read my other post. I once did Yama-dera in the morning and Matsushima in the afternoon. Though not advised, but if your time is REALLY limited, maybe you can pack that in, just be sure to start early in the morning.

Hi William
Think we may only have time now for Matsushima: would rather not push the limits as we have other commitments as well: but plan to return for longer so ....
Thanks for all your info: have filed it away for future reference