[Walking around Sendai in the autumn foliage season] Easy access from Sendai Station

• Table of Contents
• When is autumn foliage season in Sendai?
• A walking spot for viewing autumn leaves near Sendai Station
• Map of recommended autumn leaf walking spots
• Recommended spots to see autumn leaves in the surrounding area

When is autumn foliage season in Sendai?

In Sendai, you can generally see the leaves gradually change color from around the end of October.

Today, November 11, 2024, was a relatively warm day, and the trees lining the streets and in the parks, as well as the cherry blossoms and ginkgo trees, were bursting with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange.

A walking spot for viewing autumn leaves near Sendai Station

This time we will introduce spots that are easily accessible from Sendai Station, the gateway to Tohoku.

And if you're heading out to various spots, we recommend staying at the Sendai Kokusai Hotel, which is just a 5-minute walk from Sendai Station.

Sendai Kokusai Hotel

4-6-1 Central, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 980-0021

5 minutes walk from the station, specializing in gourmet food.

Make a reservation here

Nishi-koen

There are about 200 cherry trees, and along with Sakuraoka Daijingu Shrine within the park, it is a historic place associated with Date Masamune.

From Sendai Station, take the Sendai Municipal Subway Tozai Line bound for Yagiyama Zoo, and get off at "T05 Nishi-koen" station, two stops (about 3 minutes) from Sendai Station. It is immediately outside the "Nishi 1 Nishi-koen Exit."

Nishi-koen is located right next to Jozenji Street, so we recommend combining your visit with a stroll along the zelkova tree-lined street.

Nishi-koen also has a preserved and exhibited C60-1 steam locomotive that was in service from 1953 until the electrification of the Tohoku Main Line was completed in 1968. If you visit, be sure to take a photo with it.

From Sendai Kokusai Hotel(5 minutes on foot from Sendai Station), it is about a 20 minute walk via Minamimachi Street and Nishi-koen.

Nishikicho Park

You can also enjoy the cherry blossoms at Nishikicho Park, an oasis in the city. We also recommend taking a stroll around the city, including Kotodai Park to the west.

From Sendai Station, take the Sendai Municipal Subway Namboku Line bound for Izumi Chuo, get off at "N08 Kotodai Park" station, two stops (about 3 minutes) from Sendai Station, and it is about a 4-minute walk from "South 4" exit.

From Sendai Kokusai Hotel, it is about a 15-minute walk along Higashiyonbancho Street.

Tsutsujigaoka Park

Tsutsujigaoka Park

There are about 350 cherry trees, and it is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Sendai, attracting many visitors every year. In addition, the nearby Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine is registered as a "Japan Heritage" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and is one of the spots where you can learn the story of "Date culture nurtured by Masamune Date, the lord of Sendai".

Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine

From Sendai Station, take the JR Senseki Line bound for Matsushima Kaigan/Ishinomaki, take it for one stop (about 2 minutes) to Tsutsujigaoka Station, and then walk for about 3 minutes.

By the way, from Sendai Kokusai Hotel, go through Sendai Station, leave from the west exit and go straight down Miyaginodori, it's about a 30 minute walk.

Map of recommended autumn leaf walking spots

Finally, we have summarized the autumn foliage spots introduced in this article.

The spots in the city where you can see autumn leaves are also recommended spots for cherry blossom viewing in the spring. Please be sure to check them out.

Recommended spots to see autumn leaves in the surrounding area

Furthermore, there are some spots near Sendai that are definitely worth visiting during the autumn foliage season.
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce it to you!

Akiu Waterfall

It is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan and has been designated as such by the Japanese name. With a drop of 55 meters, Akiu Otaki offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. The autumn foliage scenery is especially a must-see!

It is about a 45-minute drive from Sendai Kokusai Hotel.

Akiu Otaki Falls Photo courtesy of Sendai Tourism and International Association

The Three Kumano Shrines of Natori

Kumano Hongu Shrine

In Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, you can visit the Kumano Sansha Shrines, which are enshrined in the same premises as the Kishu Kumano Sanzan Shrines.

Kumano Shrine

At Kumano Shrine, there is a stone on which it is said that Minamoto no Yoritomo sat while praying for victory in battle, and at Nachi Shrine, which sits on top of a mountain, you can enjoy vast views and walking trails through the forest.

Kumano Nachi Shrine

Kumano Nachi Shrine The spectacular view of Natori town and the horizon in the distance from the summit is a must-see

We hope this will be helpful for your autumn trip to Sendai and Miyagi.