Exploring Sendai: Haikyuu!! JoJo and More!

Jun 30
9 min read

Sendai is the biggest city in Northern Japan, making it a cultural hub full of tradition and modernity. It’s also a center of pop culture in many ways, featured heavily in many anime and video games ranging from Persona 5 to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Visiting Sendai is like stepping into those worlds, so let us explore some of the most iconic parts of the city!

Riding the Ferry

Miyagi has long been enjoyed as a popular spot for JoJo fans, and for good reason, as its author Mr. Araki actually hails from the prefecture and has referenced its locations as inspiration in part 4 of the series. In fact, Miyagi prefecture collaborated with the anime once part 4 of the series aired back in 2016, showcasing how anime tourism can join hands with the real world to introduce unique experiences.

Matsushima in particular is one location that fans of JoJo will enjoy. Through a series of events, the stand user Yukako manages to kidnap one of the main characters, Koichi, secluding him in an ocean-side house- an important detail that serves as the vital clue to finding him. While never officially confirmed, JoJo fans have long considered Matsushima as the location for this incident, which has drawn many to come. In a way, the JoJo anime has considered these locations as iconic spots of Morioh, and this translates to real life as well!

Matsushima is also featured in the manga and anime series “Honey and Clover” by author Chica Umino, who we actually explored in other articles in Safir Anime. The main character Takemoto Yuuta visits Matsushima during his journey of self-realization, and the same exact spots featured in the show can be visited and recreated in real life.

What makes Matsushima a must-visit is the ferry cruise you can take around the harbor. The tour guide takes you through the different rock formations and the local legends relayed about them throughout the years, and it really is, in a way, reminiscent of Morioh. As Josuke and his friends unravel the mysteries of Morioh so do they create history by turning different locations into tourist spots. This ferry ride is similar to that vibe.

The cruise also has its own anime mascot character! And she's dressed as Date Masamune, who is the legendary samurai hailing from Miyagi prefecture.

Access Information Matsushima Shima-Meguri Address: 85 Matsushima-chonai, Matsushimamachi, Miyagi, 981-0213, Japan Opening Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM Link: https://www.matsushima.or.jp/en/

Exploring Hapina Nakakecho

Nothing beats visiting a shoten-gai, or shopping arcade. They are similar to the souqs we have in the Middle East in vibe, so you know you are getting a taste of the authentic cultural experience. But don’t be fooled, amongst that tradition you will still find pop culture peppered in here and there.

Shopping arcades are found in almost every district in Japan, but what blew my mind was just how enormous Hapina Nakakecho is. It kept going on and on! I got an aerial view of the arcade later at night and it boggled my mind how long the street is.

For anime fans, Hapina Nakakecho may be recognizable immediately as it was featured as the first stop in the spinoff of Persona 5, “Persona 5 Strikers”. You can try the different stalls and shops that were featured in the game in real life!

For fans of anime and gaming, one of the must-visit places is the B-Side Label store. This shopping abode is extremely popular nationwide and they have many stores, even in Tokyo, but what makes Sendai’s unique Is the prominence of Haikyuu merchandise. This is a given, considering Haikyuu’s author, Haruichi Furudate, is from Sendai!

B-Side Label offers various everyday use collectibles, with their massive array of stickers being the main attraction that solidifies the brand. It's a stop well worth it for all otaku!

Access Information Hapina Nakakecho Address: Chome-1 Central, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan Opening Hours: 24 Hours Link: https://nakakecho.jp/

Trying Sendai's Speciality: Beef Tongue

JoJo part 4’s first episode opens with a special ad showcasing Gyuutan, and for good reason. Sendai is famous for its beef tongue, otherwise known as gyuutan, a local delicacy that has earned its name around the nation. While Kobe Beef has become a must-try for international tourists, Sendai’s gyuutan is climbing the ranks for many, as it’s not every day that you get to try a cow’s tongue. It’s surely something we barely see in the Middle East.

Fans of Persona 5 may also be familiar with gyuutan as it was featured in the Sendai stop of the Persona 5 spinoff, Persona 5 Strikers. So, if you’re a a ‘phan’ of the phantom thieves, make sure to try some during your trip to Sendai.

The Beef Tongue was extremely hearty and delectable, its taste complimenting the delicious soup and stew wonderfully. While beef is a main staple in worldwide cuisines, the tongue part is rarely cooked, making gyuutan a rather unique specialty of Sendai’s. The texture is extremely chewy, each bite is delectable to the palate. And at the end of the day, you can tell your family and friends that you had a taste of a cow’s tongue, and that always makes for an amazing story!

Access Information Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle) Address: 1 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi 980-0862 Opening Hours: April-November 9AM-5PM (last entry 4:40PM), December-March 9AM-4PM (last entry 3:40PM) Link: https://www.sentabi.jp/exp-providers/14?lang=en

Visiting the Home of Date Masamune

At the peak summit overlooking the vast city of Sendai you will find the ruins of one of Japan’s most famous castles, known as Aoba Castle. Erected in 1601, Aoba Castle is famously known as the homestead of the Date clan, of which the famous Date Masamune hails from. This is a name that most otaku would recognize immediately, as there are many anime, manga, and video games that cover this legendary samurai warrior. Known as the “One-Eyed Dragon”, Masamune has inspired many fictional stories from “Sengoku Basara” to even Pokemon Conquest, where he appears as an avian trainer.

For most visitors, the statue of Date Masamune riding his trusty steed makes for the perfect photo spot representing Sendai as a whole. What makes Masamune stand out amongst samurai is his iconic armor, its golden crescent moon helmet standing out as a representation of his clan.

Waking a few steps away from the statue you are greeted with a vast panoramic view of Sendai City. At such a high vantage point, you really begin to realize how Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region. Amongst the green mountains one giant structure stands out- the Sendai Daikannon. I am sure you have seen photos of this statue circulating online, but seeing it peak through the mountains, standing at an immense size, really puts into mind just how domineering it is. It is apparently the tenth-tallest statue in the world, standing at an astounding 100 meters. It is also the largest kannon statue in Japan. I definitely want to go see it up in person one day!

Stepping into History at the Sendai Castle Ruins

As mentioned earlier, one of the recent series to feature Sendai heavily is the spinoff “Persona 5 Strikers”. In the story, the first dungeons is located in Aoba Castle! The Phantom Thieves were excited to run around and see the statue of Masamune and the remains of the mighty stronghold.

With the flow of time, a large portion of the Sendai Castle had eroded, but it still stands as a remanent of the past, which can still be explored on the grounds. There is a faithful architectural layout that recreates what the castle looked like. One of the interesting things is that each room is labeled, and you can tell what purpose they served. This also includes the conflict-driven history of the Sengoku era, as the layout outlines how spies were captured and taken throughout the castle to be disposed of. For avid fans of historical battles, it is definitely a way to see exactly how such wars were fought in the homestead.

In the castle ground is also the Miyagi Gokoku Shrine, which honors Date Masamune himself. Its beautiful vermilion hue stands out against the backdrop of green. The shrine is also registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, making Sendai yet another must-visit spot for those seeking historical sights beyond the well-known Kyoto.

There is also a gift souvenir shop that has limited edition items and souvenirs featuring collaborations with Date Masamune. One of the most popular buys is a collaboration with Sanrio which has characters like Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi dressed as the war general. Miyagi prefecture is also known for its “Zunda Shake”, a popular drink made out of sweetened edamame. In the souvenir shop, you can buy this famous delicacy in an array of forms, from biscuits to candy.

Learning at Sendai City Museum

After exploring ancient history as it was preserved in person, it’s time to learn more about Miyagi, and what better place to do so than the Sendai City Museum.

The museum is modern and sleek, but don’t let its looks fool you- the building itself is built upon parts of the former Sendai Castle. For fans of Sengoku Basara and other media featuring Date Masamune, the Sendai Castle is a must visit as the premier location for relics of the Date clan. If you are lucky enough to visit during certain periods, the actual original armor of Date Masamune can be seen on full display.

For fans of Haikyuu!!, the Sendai City Museum collaborated with the popular sports manga by erecting a monument featuring Kei Tsukishima and Tadashi Yamaguchi right at the entrance. Actually in 2023, the main characters Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama were officially appointed as ambassadors of Sendai Tourism, showcasing the strong ties of anime tourism to Miyagi.

The homage for these two characters in Sendai City Museum reflects the work, as most fans know. After graduating college, Tsukishima works in Sendai City Museum, so fans of Haikyuu!! will definitely get more than a history tour here.

The museum features a permanent exhibition in addition to rotating galleries that showcase different eras of Japan. Each hall gives you an extensive crash course into each era of Japan, starting from the Jomon era, one of the oldest in the island nation’s recorded history. One of the things that stood out to me in this museum is the amount of interactive exhibits there are, as this is not a common site in most places. You not only get to see these parts of Japanese history, but also directly experience them with your own hands, making for a unique experience- a literal hands-on experience, you could say.

On the way to the castle grounds and museum, you pass through the huge campus of Sendai University. In the sprawling mountains, the university is cradled by nature and history, making it the perfect spot for learning. The campus is extremely huge, something you would never see in cities like Tokyo, where space is much more limited.

The museum also has a beautiful cafe with a wonderful view. I had some lemon ginger tea and it was by far the most delicious I've ever tried!

Access Information Sendai City Museum Address: 26 Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan Opening Hours: 9AM–4:45PM (Closed on Mondays) Link: https://www.city.sendai.jp/museum/

Taking in the view from the AER Observation Terrace

After a long day exploring Sendai’s famous spots, the perfect way to end the night is to take in a final view of Tohoku’s largest city atop the AER building. Located on the 31^st floor, you will find two observation decks located across the west and eastern sides of the façade.

Having taken a good look at Sendai from atop Aoba Castle in the morning, witnessing the night lights from AER is an entirely different experience altogether. The overlapping train tracks, the running bullet trains, and the amount of people really attests to the city’s robust infrastructure. And amongst all of this, the Hapina Nakakecho shopping arcade stands out with its long awning and bustling crowds, full of life.

The AER building’s 31^st floor also has another interesting spot- a gym. Can you imagine exercising while observing this beautiful medley of mountains and city? Seems like a dream to me.

Because it is located at about a 5-minute walk from Sendai Station, the AER building can be the best first-stop for your trip and a farewell to this beautiful city.

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Access Information AER Observation Terrace Address: 1 Chome-3-1 Central, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan Opening Hours: 10AM–8PM Link: https://www.sendai-aer.com/

Staying the night at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai

We conclude our trip to Sendai by taking a rest in the Mitsui Garden Hotel, located in downtown Sendai. It is the perfect location, being a short walking distance from the big shopping arcade.

Mitsui Garden Hotels are actually a line of hotels that are well known for their high quality and amazing service. The Sendai location is impressive, overlooking the main street and offering a beautiful view. The rooms are spacious, with enough room for your luggage.

Breakfast is served in a buffet style with western and Japanese options, allowing for a diverse palate to fit all your needs. The staff is also kind enough to accommodate any dietary restrictions, which is always pleasant!

Access Information Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai Address: 2 Chome-4-6 Honcho, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0014, Japan Link: https://www.gardenhotels.co.jp/sendai

Closing Thoughts

Being the biggest city in Tohoku region, Sendai is a must stop to visit all the anime that inspired it. Make sure to have some of that gyuutan and explore the history of Data Masamune!