I Stopped At...

This shrine was built by Date Masamuneko and is recognized as one of the greatest shrines in Sendai. The large Torii at the entrance The steps up to the shrine premises The main gate to teh shrine The majestic Osaki hachiban shrine Tanabata wishing tree at Oosaki haciban shrine The shrine Tanabata festival is a festival where you write a wish and hang it on a tree branch, and once the wish come true, you burn the paper you wrote it on. I myself tried it and my wish is a secret!!! All Rights Reserved.

This is where the tomb of the Date Masamuneko , the ruler of Sendai is buried. This place was once ruined in the war period and was rebuilt again to this state according to old plans and books found in various places. The photos and replicas can be still seen of the tomb proving that this is the real tomb of Date Masamuneko. There are 70 steps to climb and another 62 steps to climb down. seventy steps resembles Date s age when he died and 62 resembles ( I have forgotten it) The main entrance of to Zuihoden The beautiful carvings in the main gate The mausoleum of Date Masamune From here onwards are the tombs of the Date family . Zuihouden - The mausoleum of Date Masamune Kansenden - The tomb of Date Tadamune Zennonden - The tomb of Date Tsunamune You get 100yen discount at the entrance is you are holding a loople bus card. Try this out, its beautiful and you can have free guides ...

Story1 Orihime is a princess who wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa which is  Milky Way in English . She worked very hard every day to weave clothes. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet or fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter,  the  father arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter. However, once married, Orihime no longer would weave cloth and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. In anger,  the  father separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again. The father was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month if she worked hard and finished her weaving. T...

2010/08/06 With a height of 55meters and the width of 6meters, this waterfall is one of the best hundred waterfalls in japan. This is also categorized as one of the three gushing waterfalls because of its speed. It was beautiful and wish we could go down to its foot. But , recently it has been prohibited to go down there by the Sendai Municipal Council. The entrance to the waterfall through a shrine The Akiu ootaki shrine The Akiu waterfall Miyaei bus is the only source of public transport and lack of buses is a real problem. We had to run for the last bus and missing that last bus at 18.03 would leave us alone in that lonely area with no means of travelling back to Ayashi. The entrance is free and wish we could enjoy more time there. All Rights Reserved.

07/08/2010 七夕祭り - Tanabata matsuri of Sendai is one of the biggest ceremonial occasions in the Touhoku area  of Japan. This is  normally held for three consecutive days, and this year it was held on 6th ,7th and  8th of August.People from all　over Japan gather in Sendai in this period to see the ceremony. Schools are closed and new transportation services, shops, services and decorations change the daily routines of Sendai. I had the chance to witness the Tanabata ceremony on the 7th of August 2010. It is a parade where the Sendai people dance and perform their traditional dances, dramas and arts. The main road is closed and audience gather on the pavement and the road. Well, I could manage to find a place at the very front, on the road where one can witness the opening and closing ceremonies. The opening ceremony of the 2nd day of Tanabata The opening announcement is made and once hte reading is over the assistant in th...

2010/08/06 This gorge is at the head of the Natori river in Akiu.It a world of rocks and water running through cracks and faults in the rocks. The rocky Gorge is so creepy that its unbelievably silent. This is a free walking course and even more beautiful spots can be found down the river. We were in the hurry to catch the bus for Akiu waterfall so had to give up at this point. It is really creepy and would never recommend for a night walking even the track is safe (but no lights). All Rights Reserved.

05/08/2010 The Shiroishi Castle Shiroishi castle was of a serving family to Date Masamune the ruler of Sendai in the edo period. it is not a big castle but worth to see the old architecture. The entrance gate to the castle Three storied watch  tower Inside the watch tower where armors were kept View of Sendai town from the top and the castle grounds The castle grounds The entrance was 300yen. well, the cool air at teh top floor was worth the money. as this is situated somewhat away from the shiroishi station we burrowed free bicycles  at the station and rode all the way. The scorching sun was never kind to us so the cold water springs at the shrines and temples in the area helped a lot through out the journey. All Rights Reserved.