Event Roundup: January 2020

Hatsuhinode is the Japanese tradition of celebrating the first sunrise of the new year by viewing it from a scenic or significant location. Being on the east coast of Japan, Matsushima Bay is one of the first places to see the sunrise and a spectacular setting to watch it from. To make the occasion even more special, sunrise cruises are being offered by Marubun Kisen, the company that also operates everyday sightseeing cruises of Matsushima Bay. Their regular cruises don't require reservations but their sunrise ones do, as there are limited seats available.

Time: Departs 6:20

Admission: Adults ¥1,600 or ¥2,000, children ¥800 or ¥1,000 (price varies by cruise route)

Details & bookng: marubun-kisen.com

Reservations: Required, can book online.

Location: Marine Gate Shiogama (マリンゲート塩釜). Map here.

Access: 10-minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station

Hatsuhinode is the Japanese tradition of celebrating the first sunrise of the new year by viewing it from a scenic or significant location. Being on the east coast of Japan, watching the as it rises over the Pacific is a popular choice. To make the occasion extra special, a sunrise cruise is being offered in the Oku-Matsushima area. This area, located on the northeastern edge of Matsushima Bay, isn't as frequented as the central bay area but the scenery is arguably even more spectacular.

Time: Meet at 6:10, cruise departs 6:25

Admission: Adults & children junior high & older ¥2,000, children elementary school & younger ¥1,500

Reservations: Required, see link for details.

Details: okumatsushima.jp

Location: Oku-Matsushima sightseeing boat pier (奥松島嵯峨渓遊覧船乗船場所 ). Map here.

Hatsuhinode is the Japanese tradition of celebrating the first sunrise of the new year by viewing it from a scenic or significant location. A surprisingly popular way to celebrate is by watching the sunrise from the top of a mountain. To do that on larger mountains requires an overnight stay and a lot of planning, so many people opt to hike a smaller mountain instead, hitting the trail in the wee hours of morning to make it to the summit by sunrise. Join in at Mount Yakurai, one of the most popular hatsuhinode mountains Miyagi!

The first 553 climbers will receive free oshiruko sweet red bean soup, a small commemorative gift, and a free ticket for the nearby Yakushi no Yu onsen! Why 553? Because Mount Yakurai is 553 meters tall.

Hours: At sunrise, but you'll need to arrive earlier to make it to the summit in time

Admission: Free

Details: k-tap.org

Location: Mount Yakurai ( 薬萊山). Map here.

Photo by Roger Smith

Hatsuhinode is the Japanese tradition of celebrating the first sunrise of the new year by viewing it from a scenic or significant location. A surprisingly popular way to celebrate is by watching the sunrise from the top of a mountain. To do that on larger mountains requires an overnight stay and a lot of planning, so many people opt to hike a smaller mountain instead, hitting the trail in the wee hours of morning to make to the summit in time for sunrise.

Mount Karou is one of the best local mountains for hatsuhinode. From the peak, you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean! Being near the coast, the mountain gets very little snow. The trail is also quite easy, so you don't need to worry about having any special mountaineering equipment or experience to enjoy hatsuhinode here.

Hours: Sunrise, but you'll need to start your hike earlier than that to make it to the summit in time

Admission: Free

Location: Mount Karou (鹿狼山). Map here.

Hatsuhinode is the Japanese tradition of celebrating the first sunrise of the new year by viewing it from a scenic or significant location. City-side, one popular and special for hatsuhinode spot is the deck on the top floor of Shiroishi Castle.

Hours: Doors open at 6:20

Admission: Free

Reservations: None needed

Location: Shiroishi Castle (白石城). Map here.

Access: 10-minute walk from Shiroishi Station

An exhibition of Takara Tomy toy cars and Playrail toy trains put on by the company itself. The event will be full of fun car-themed photo ops and play!

Hours: 10:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30)

Admission: ¥1,000 adults & children ages middle school & up, ¥800 children ages elementary & under (includes free commemorative toy car)

Official event page: takaratomy.co.jp

Location: Xebio Arena Sendai (ゼビオアリーナ仙台). Map here.

Access: 5-minute walk from Nagamachi Station

Morita Tsunetomo was a Japanese painter greatly influenced by French modern art, especially Paul Cezanne. He largely devoted himself to landscapes, and some of his best are paintings of the Fukushima countryside.

Hours: 9:30–17:00

Admission: ¥1,000 adults, ¥600 high school students, ¥400 children ages junior high to elementary

Event details: art-museum.fcs.ed.jp

Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art official website (English): art-museum.fcs.ed.jp

Location: Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art (福島県立美術館). Map here.

Access: 7-minute walk from Bijutsukantoshokan-mae Station

An exhibition of old-fashioned Russian toys made from natural materials like wood, paper, and cloth. Naturally, matryoshka will figure prominently into the exhibition, but many less famous Russian toys will be on display as well.

Hours: 10:00–17:00

Admission: Adults ¥300, ages 65+ or high school & under free

Details: kameimuseum.or.jp

Location: Museum of Kamei Collection (カメイ美術館). Map here.
Access: 3-minute walk from Itsutsubashi Station

The colder and windier the weather gets, the more beautiful this "dancing ice" becomes. Shibukigori are natural ice sculptures formed as a result of the harsh winter conditions in the area, and are at their best when the weather has been frigid and windy.

Hours: Always open

Admission: Free

Details: kanko-koriyama.gr.jp

Location: Near Tenjinhama (天神浜). Map here.

This exhibition at Kamei Museum features butterfly-themed stamps from Asia, Europe, and Oceania, from antique stamps to contemporary ones. Butterfly fans may also want to check out the museum's permanent butterfly collection of 14,000 preserved specimens from around the world.

Hours: 10:00–17:00
Admission: Adults ¥300, ages 65+ or high school & younger free

Details: kameimuseum.or.jp
Location: Museum of Kamei Collection (カメイ美術館). Map here.
Access: 3-minute walk from Itsutsubashi Station

A train you'll want to catch even if you don't have anywhere to go. Fruitea Fukushima is a cafe-themed train serving sweets and beverages in train cars decked out like a cafe. It runs between Koriyama and Aizu-Wakamatsu for most of the year, but in winter the train runs between Sendai and Koriyama instead.

Hours: Departs Koriyama Station at 10:33, departs Sendai Station at 14:42

Fare: From ¥5,000 (includes sweets and drinks)

Reservations: Required. Can book through View Plaza at any major JR train station.

Details (English): jreast.co.jp

Location: Stops at Sendai Station, Fukushima Station, & Koriyama Station (maps here, here, & here).

Access: At Sendai Station, Fukushima Station, & Koriyama Station

Another dam winter illumination . . . 🤣

Hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed 12:00–13:00)

Admission: Free

Details: thr.mlit.go.jp

Location: Shichikashuku Dam (七ヶ宿ダム). Map here.

Access: About 30 minutes by bus from Shiroishi-Zao Station or Shiroishi Station. Board Shichikashuku-Shiroishi Line (七ヶ宿白石線) bus bound for Yakusho・Nanairo Hiroba (役所・なないろひろば), alight at Dam Kanrijo (ダム管理所) bus stop. Timetable here.

Japan's biggest hatsu-uri event. Hatsu-uri is a tradition in the same vein as Black Friday in the US. Shoppers line up at the crack of dawn for a chance to snag bargains and giveaways at their favorite shops. Fukubukuro, often called "lucky bags" in English, are another big draw. Fukubukuro are bags full of mystery items whose total MSRP value is greater than the price of the bag, so some see them as a real value.

Hours: From whenever each shop opens in the morning

Admission: Free

Location: Shopping arcades throughout downtown Sendai. Map here.

Access: A short walk from Sendai Station

A Shinto ceremony in which the first kokeshi doll of the year is made and kokeshi are offered to the shrine as a prayer to ward off illness and misfortune for the coming year.

Hours: 10:00–11:30

Admission: Free

Location: Yajiro Kokeshi Shrine (弥治郎こけし神社). Map here.

A Shinto ceremony celebrating the first sword firing of the year. Designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Osaki City.

Hours: 10:00~

Admission: Free

Location: Hokke Saburo Forge (法華三郎日本刀鍛錬所). Map here.

Access: 25-minute walk from Matsuyamamachi Station

Come sample nanakusagayu, a rice gruel containing the Seven Plants of Spring. Tradition holds that a serving of nanakusagayu will prevent illness for the entire year if eaten on this day. The event is held at the Shiroishi Bukeyashiki, a historical samurai residence—a nice traditional setting for this traditional event.

Hours: 10:30–12:00 (or until nanakusagayu runs out)

Admission: ¥200

Location: Shiroishi Bukeyashiki (白石市武家屋敷). Map here.

Access: 15-minute walk from Shiroishi Station

Every year on January 7, men clad only in loincloths make the pilgrimage to Enzoji Temple, where they scramble to be the first person to climb the hemp rope in the main hall. Successfully reaching the top is said to bring health and good fortune in the coming year.

Hours: 20:30–21:30

Admission: Free

Location: Enzoji Temple (福満虚空蔵尊 円蔵寺). Map here.

Access: 10-minute walk from Aizu-Yanaizu Station. The last train departs well before the festival ends, so arrange to stay in the area overnight if you are planning to come by train.

A sumi-e painting exhibition. Eight studios collaborate on this annual exhibition, giving their students an opportunity to exhibit their works to the public.

Hours: 10:00–18:00 (last entry 16:00)

Admission: Free

Details: artdeuce.com

Location: Tohoku Denryoku Green Plaza, Plaza Gallery South (東北電力グリーンプラザプラザギャラリーSOUTH). Map here.

Access: 2-minute walk from Hirosedori Station

A market event dating back to the seventeenth century. Held on January 10 every year as part of a festival dedicated to Ichigami, the god of markets. The festival features about 400 stalls selling good luck trinkets, candy, and local products.

Hours: 10:00–17:00

Admission: Free

Details: yamagata-cci.or.jp

Location: Along Highway 112 in the Tokamachi neighborhood (十日町). Map here.

Access: 11-minute walk from Yamagata Station

An English-friendly sake tasting workshop. Taste a variety of seasonal sakes while Mr. Aoya of Sake Bar Hatago explains a bit about the sake brewing process and illuminates the nuanced differences between the various types.

Hours: 16:15–17:40

Fee: ¥3,710 (includes 6 glasses of sake and 3 appetizers)

Reservation: Must reserve online by 17:00 at least 2 days prior to event (English OK).

Details & booking (English): isendai.myshopify.com

Location: Sake Bar Hatago (日本酒bar旅籠～はたご～). Map here.

Access: 6-minute walk from Kotodaikoen Station

The first Sendai Comiket of 2020! Sendai Comiket is similar to other Comikets in that it's a gathering of cosplay and dojinshi fans. But unlike the bigger Comikets, the Sendai Comiket is held several times thoughout the year so it's much less crowded. For more English-language info, check out our Sendai Comiket Report.

Hours: 11:00–15:00

Admission: TBD (usually about ¥800 at the door)

Details: youyou.co.jp

Location: Yume Messe Miyagi (夢メッセみやぎ). Map here.

Access: 15-minute walk from Nakano-Sakae Station

A traditional New Year's purification ritual held only in the Miyagi area. Small dontosai festivals take place at local shrines through out the region, but this one at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine is the biggest of them all. Men and women clad in white dontosai attire march silently to the temple from areas all over the city to take part in a purification ritual. A large holy bonfire is also lit, where participants and spectators alike can dispose of their old New Year's decorations and shrine omamori properly, by burning them in the purifying flames.

Hours: 9:00–22:00

Admission: Free

Official event page: oosaki-hachiman.or.jp

Location: Osaki Hachimangu Shrine (大崎八幡宮). Map here.

Access: By city bus from Sendai Station. Board bus at Sendai Station West Exit Bus Pool 16. Buses depart every 4 to 10 minutes until 20:30. Shuttle buses are also available from Sendai International Center Station and the Izumi Ward Office. See event page link for details.　

A dinosaur-themed winter illumination!

Hours: 16:30–20:30 (last entry 20:00)

Admission: ¥600 adults & high school students, ¥400 children ages junior high to 3, Children ages 2 & under free

Details: sendai-nogyo-engei-center.jp

Location: Sendai Nogyo Engei Center Midori no Mori (せんだい農業園芸センターみどりの杜). Map here.

Access: 10 minutes by bus or a 30-minute walk from Arai Station. From Arai Station, board a bus bound for Former Arahama Elementary School (旧荒浜小学校) via Nogyo Engei Center (農業園芸センター). Alight at Nogyo Engei Center bus stop. Timetable here.

Enjoy chill English-friendly gaming and mini tournaments at this new event. The event will feature a variety of different consoles and games, fromXBox 360 to Wii, from Mortal Kombat to Kirby Super Delux (see link for full list).

Hours: 13:00–19:00

Admission: ¥500 per hour for all-you-can-play video games

Location: Sendai Language Community Salon. Map here.

Access: 2-minute walk from Hirosedori Station

A free event offered by i-Sendai! Participants will combine their strength to pound mochi using a large wooden mallet, a traditional and fun New Year's activity. The event will also feature an English- and Chinese-friendly walking tour of the Omachi area. Advance registration is required and the event is limited to 30 participants, so sign up early to secure your spot!

Hours: 12:30–15:00

Fee: Free (only for residents & visitors from overseas)

Reservations: Required. Can book online (English OK, see link). Event is limited to 30 participants.

Official event page: facebook.com

Meeting place: In front of Hoshino Coffee Sendai Marble Road shop (星乃珈琲店 マーブルロード店). Map here.

Access: 3-minute walk from Aobadori-Ichibancho Station

Confectioners from all over southern Miyagi will gather for this sweets market event! In addition to the sweets market, there will also be matcha tea giveaways, sweets making workshops, and Lapras photo-ops.

Hours: 10:00–15:30

Admission: Free

Details: pref.miyagi.jp

Location: White Cube (ホワイトキューブ). Map here.

Access: 2-minute walk from Shiroishizao Station or 20-minute walk from Shiroishi Station.

A fireworks show at Eboshi Resort, one of Miyagi's most popular ski resorts. In addition to the fireworks, local ski and snowboard instructors will ride down the slopes holding electric lanterns, looking a bit like a techno rave parade on snow.

Hours: 19:00–20:00

Admission: Free

Details: miyagi-kankou.or.jp

Location: Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort (みやぎ蔵王えぼしリゾート). Map here.

Access: By shuttle bus from Sendai Station or Nagamachi Station. Reservations required. See here for details.

A small festival celebrating Japanese New Year's culture. Participate in a full range of traditional festivities: lion dances, mochi pounding, and more!

Hours: 12:00–14:00

Admission: Free

Details: miyagi-kankou.or.jp

Location: Shichigahama Kokusai Mura (七ヶ浜国際村). Map here.

Access: 30 minutes by bus from Tagajo Station. Board a Shichighama Shimin Gugurinko (七ヶ浜市民バス「ぐるりんこ」) bus bound for Shichigahama Kokusai Mura (七ヶ浜国際村) or Hanabuchi (花渕), alight at Shichigahama Kokusai Mura. Tagajo Station bus timetable here. Hon-Shiogama Station bus timetable here.

A thousand-year-old-tradition Buddhist tradition here, designated a Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property. Two small children shoot six arrows each at a target. Where the arrows land predicts the coming year's harvest.

Hours: 14:00~

Admission: Free

Details: town.wakuya.miyagi.jp

Location: Konpoji Temple (箟峯寺). Map here.

Singers from across Japan gather to see who can give the best rendition of "Enkorosetsu," one of Miyagi's Three Great Celebratory Songs.

Hours: Doors open at 9:00

Admission: Free

Details: miyagi-kankou.or.jp

Location: Watari-machi Chuo Kouminkan (亘理町中央公民館). Map here.

Access: 15-minute walk from Watari Station

A winter festival in snow country! Features evening illuminations, performances on a stage made of snow, snowtubing, and more.

Hours: 16:30–20:00 (Jan 31), 10:00–20:00 (Feb 1), 10:00–16:00 (Feb 2)

Admission: Free

Official website: yamagata-yukifes.jp

Location: Mogamigawa Furusato Park (最上川ふるさと総合公園). Map here.

Access: By free shuttle bus from Sagae Station