Summer Sendai Travel Guide: Cool Summer Moments in Sendai’s Retreat Areas

Located upstream on the Natori River, Akiu Great Falls is one of Sendai’s representative waterfalls, measuring 6 m wide and 55 m high, and it has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.
You can view the powerful flow from the observation deck, or walk down the promenade to near the basin of the falls. Looking up at the great waterfall from the basin gives an even stronger sense of power and draws the eye.
In summer, when the area is surrounded by deep greenery, you can enjoy a valley walk while feeling the sound of the water and the refreshing air.

This gorge near the Akiu Onsen town features a continuous landscape of huge and unusual rocks formed by the Natori River. Highlights are scattered throughout, including the “Nozokibashi Heart,” recognized as a Lover’s Sanctuary, and Tenpugan, which looks as if it were split by an axe.
The gorge, lined with unusual and massive rocks, continues for about 2 km, with a promenade maintained for 650 m along the way. In summer, you can enjoy a gorge walk together with Akiu Onsen while feeling the murmur of the Natori River and the coolness of the shade.

This famous waterfall area on the upper reaches of the Hirose River is known for its scenery, where waterfalls of various sizes appear to overlap in layers. It is also close to Sakunami Onsen and is known as a natural spot that is easy to stop by during a drive.
The sight of several stair-like waterfalls flowing through dense trees is striking, and behind the falls rises Mt. Kamakura, shaped like an upside-down pot.
In summer, surrounded by lush green trees, the contrast with the white spray stands out, and you can enjoy scenery distinctive to the mountains.

Located beyond Akiu Onsen, this gorge is known for its dynamic scenery of mountain streams and huge rock walls. Waterfalls of various sizes are scattered in the surrounding area, creating natural scenery distinctive to the mountains.
The terrain formed by the stream and steep rock walls is a defining feature, and the area is known as a scenic spot where you can feel the changing face of nature throughout the seasons.
In summer, while taking in the view of the gorge wrapped in deep greenery, you can experience a natural setting even deeper in the mountains than the Akiu Onsen area.

This mountain temple is affectionately known locally as “Jogi-san.” With many highlights such as its five-story pagoda and main gate, many people visit by taking a trip from central Sendai.
The temple town in front of the gate is lined with shops selling light meals and sweets, making it a good place to snack after worship. In summer, you can stroll the green temple grounds and also enjoy local temple-town foods, including the famous sankaku aburaage, a triangular deep-fried tofu.

This mausoleum of Date Masamune, founder of the Sendai Domain, stands in splendid style at the end of an approach lined with cedar trees. Its richly colored decorations in the style of Momoyama culture are one of the highlights.
Around Zuihoden are other Date family mausoleums, including Kansenden, the mausoleum of Date Tadamune, and Zennoden, the mausoleum of Date Tsunamune, as well as an attached museum. The whole area is designated a Sendai City Historic Site as the Kyogamine Date Family Cemetery.
In summer, you can walk through the quiet, tree-lined setting and encounter Sendai’s history and Date culture.

This nature observation facility has nature trails throughout its approximately 30-hectare grounds, allowing visitors to observe plants and living creatures while walking through the forest. With advance registration, you can also join a nature guide program led by a ranger (Japanese only).
In summer, the green forest offers the chance to feel breezes passing through the shade and encounter insects. As you walk the nature trails, you can experience the changing scenery of the forest and connect with living creatures in each season.

Founded in 1441, this Soto Zen temple is known for the Japanese garden spread across its quiet grounds. With a pond at the center and a three-story pagoda rising to the northwest, the garden is considered one of the most beautiful in the Tohoku region.
You can stroll through the calm atmosphere of a Zen temple while feeling the nature of each season. In summer, fresh green maples and trees color the garden, creating a quiet time that feels far removed from its location near the city center.

Located near Sendai Port, this is one of the largest aquariums in the Tohoku region, with wide-ranging exhibits from the Sanriku Sea to marine life from around the world. Performances by dolphins, sea lions, and birds are also popular, and highlights are found throughout the facility.
Just beyond the entrance, “Inochi Kirameku Umi” is a huge tank 14 m wide and 7.5 m tall, extending up to the second floor. While viewing a Sanriku Sea scene where about 30,000 creatures of 50 species swim, you can relax inside the cool facility even on a hot summer day.

This science museum in Dainohara Forest Park lets visitors learn about science and nature through participatory, hands-on exhibits. There are many highlights, including diorama exhibits that recreate the nature of Miyagi and Sendai, impressive skeletal specimens, and interactive exhibits that introduce scientific laws and principles.
At the Challenge Lab, where anyone can casually experience science, workshops such as experiments and crafts are held daily and are well received.
In summer, you can casually enjoy science experiences while exploring exhibits and workshops inside the cool building.

This comprehensive astronomy museum is based on the concept of bringing space closer to everyday life. Through its planetarium and exhibition rooms, visitors can enjoy learning about space and astronomy. Inside the facility is the Hitomi Telescope, with an aperture of 1.3 m, one of the largest in Japan.
The planetarium offers a space where the starry sky fills your view overhead, allowing you to experience the appeal of the universe. Live explanations of the night sky by staff are also offered, letting you relax and immerse yourself in the world of space while forgetting the summer heat.

Stream trekking and stream walking in mountain valleys are among the nature experiences that are easy to add to a summer trip in Sendai.
As you walk along the flow of the water and cross rocky areas and shallows, you can feel a refreshing coolness from your feet. There are many valleys with easy access from the city, such as the area around Rairaikyo Gorge, where routes with plenty of shade make for a comfortable outing.

Shower climbing through gorges surrounded by rock walls is a summer activity where you move upstream against the flow of water.
In dynamic terrain like Futakuchi Gorge, you can experience coolness with your whole body by climbing past waterfalls and moving over rocks while sprayed with water. In a setting with a different kind of power from a mountain stream, you can also enjoy a break from the ordinary.

In mountain forests a short distance from the city, you can enjoy hiking and trail walks in a quiet environment surrounded by trees.
Such settings can also be found in familiar areas around Mt. Taihaku, with many routes continuing through shade that blocks the sun. Some courses have gentle ups and downs, allowing you to walk at your own pace while feeling the air of nature.

Known as the birthplace of Sendai-style grilled beef tongue, this long-established restaurant preserves the flavor of beef tongue grilling that was created soon after World War II. Its specialty is fragrant beef tongue grilled over charcoal and seasoned simply with salt.
Inside, the lively voices of the chefs are always heard, and together with the heat coming across the counter, you can savor an atmosphere that feels like traveling back to the early Showa period.
It is a place where you can experience Sendai’s distinctive food culture between downtown sightseeing or city walks.

This traditional Chinese restaurant in Sendai is famous as the birthplace of hiyashi chuka, chilled Chinese noodles. In 1937, the founder created “ryanbanmen” as a dish that would be easy to eat even in hot weather, which became the beginning of today’s hiyashi chuka.
The signature hiyashi chuka features a house-made sauce using orange and lemon, along with colorful toppings served on a separate plate. It is an easy dish to enjoy during a summer walk around the city.

Akiusha is a renovated 160-year-old traditional house.
This popular cafe restaurant in the Akiu Onsen area serves lunches and sweets made with locally grown vegetables and seasonal ingredients. With photogenic menu items as well, it is also a good stop during sightseeing.
Surrounded by antique furniture and a calm space, you can spend a relaxed time in summer Akiu.

Located a 3-minute walk from JR Sendai Station, this hotel offers convenient access to nearby commercial facilities and restaurants.
In its concept rooms, which incorporate materials and traditional crafts from Miyagi Prefecture, you can feel a sense of Sendai even inside the hotel. All rooms have bathrooms separate from the toilets, making it easy to stay comfortably.
It is convenient as a base for sightseeing in Sendai or touring Tohoku, and also works well for stays that combine downtown sightseeing with retreat areas such as Akiu.

This hot spring hotel in Akiu Onsen is close to Rairaikyo Gorge, making it easy to enjoy a stay together with a gorge walk. It offers a variety of guest rooms, including sukiya-style Japanese rooms and Japanese-Western rooms, and the different views of the gorge or hot spring town from each room are part of its appeal.
At its proud hot spring facilities, located within a beautiful Japanese garden, you can enjoy the renowned waters in six different types of open-air baths, including a waterfall bath and a standing bath, as well as spacious large public baths.
In summer, you can relax in open-air baths surrounded by greenery and enjoy the waters of Akiu Onsen, counted as one of the three famous hot springs of Oshu.

This hot spring inn in Sakunami Onsen lets you stay while feeling the nature along the Hirose River. It reopened under a new brand in April 2025, and guests can leisurely enjoy Miyagi-style food and hot springs inside the property.
The natural rock bath facing the Hirose River has four tubs, and its atmospheric setting, which seems to blend with the surrounding nature, is part of its charm.
In summer, you can soak in the open-air bath while listening to the murmur of the mountain stream and spend a quiet time characteristic of Sendai’s retreat areas.

One of Tohoku’s three major festivals, with a history of more than 400 years, this festival is held every year from August 6 to 8, when colorful Tanabata decorations fill the shopping streets in central Sendai.
In the arcade streets around Sendai Station, lavish “seven decorations” hung on giant bamboo poles line the area, drawing many visitors. The delicate washi paper decorations fluttering in the wind make the hot summer feel refreshing.
Because the festival shows different faces by day and night, it is also recommended to view it while enjoying a city walk from evening into night.

Held as the eve-of-festival event for the Sendai Tanabata Festival, this fireworks display is a summer tradition that draws many people to the area around the Hirose River. As a fireworks display held in the center of a city, it is one of the largest in Japan and brightly colors Sendai’s summer night.
The sight of about 16,000 fireworks launched in succession, including powerful starmines and large shells, is impressive and is sure to leave a deep memory along with the thunderous sound that resonates through the body.
Visiting together with the Tanabata Festival lets you fully enjoy the lively atmosphere and night scenery distinctive to Sendai in summer.

This summer festival is held at the east exit of Sendai Station, where you can see Sendai’s traditional performing art, Suzume Odori, up close.
Suzume Odori, or “sparrow dance,” is named for its resemblance to sparrows pecking at food. It is said to have originated from a dance performed for Date Masamune by stonemasons at a banquet celebrating the construction of Sendai Castle.
Highlights include the Onagashi parade, where dancers in matching costumes move through the streets, and powerful stage performances. Food stalls and kitchen cars also line the venue, letting you experience Sendai-style festival culture along with the lively atmosphere of a summer night.