1. Naruko Kokeshi Matsuri (Osaki City)
When: Fri. August 31 to Sun. Sept. 2
Handcrafted wooden kokeshi dolls originated in Tohoku, and Naruko Onsen in Miyagi has a long history producing them. Come for an unusual ceremony-on the night before (Friday 8/31 from 6PM) there will be a farewell and ceremonial burning of unwanted kokeshi at the Onsen Shrine 温泉神社.
September 1st has an opening ceremony at 9AM, and a market and exhibit of kokeshi from across Japan begins at 10AM. The highlight is a surreal parade of people dressed in lifesized kokeshi costumes that begins at 6:30PM.
Admission: Free
Map: Onsen Shrine: https://goo.gl/maps/UqJMhoBQkio
Access: Shinkansen to JR Furukawa Station or Tohoku Line to Kogota Station. Transfer to the Rikuu-East Line and arrive at Naruko Onsen Station. There is also a direct express train "Minori" from Sendai or Matsushima Station (advance ticket purchase recommended for Minori) and infrequent Miyagi Kotsu Bus from outside Eden in Sendai.
Details (JP): www.kokeshimatsuri.com
2. Autumn Riverboat Cruise (Marumori)
When: 9/1- 11/30, 9-3:30PM (weekends)
Take a scenic boat ride down the Abukuma River. Lunchtime boats (11:30 and 1) feature an imoni stew lunch, which is popular in Tohoku in the fall.
Where: Abukuma Line Boat Pier (阿武隈ライン舟下り 乗船場)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/JRwZy8BWQC62
Access: 20 min. walk from Marumori Station on Abukuma Express Line
Details (JP): http://marumori.jp/spot/funakudari/
3. New York Artist Group Exhibit at Nakamoto Seishi Museum of Modern Art
When: 9/1 to 9/30 10-6PM
A group of diverse New York and Tokyo-based artists collaborated on a tribute to New York-based photographer Toyo. There is also a free opening party on 9/1 (all are welcome, no reservation needed). Artists include Toyo, Ori Carino, Sam Meyerson, adventurer Tatsuya Kubota, Hisako Kobayashi, and Mai Nagaoka.
Admission: Free
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/KYYoS4yDT1m
Access: by bus, take the Miyagi Kotsu from Sendai Station west bus pool #3「宮城学院」行き（市役所経由、上杉通経由）and get off at Higashi Katsuyama Chuo (東勝山中央) and walk 5 minutes or take Miyagi Kotsu from #4 towards 虹の丘団地キャンプ場 and get off at Kita Sendai Junior High School (北仙台中学校前) and walk 1 minute.
Details (JP): http://seishi-nakamoto.com/museum/content.html
4. Jozenji Street Jazz Festival
When: 9/8, 9/9, 11-6PM
Far more than a jazz festival, this is a music festival on the streets of Sendai that is as diverse at the city itself. Enjoy jazz, rock, blues, pop and other performances by local amateur artists and professions from across the country and around the world. There are 47 stages spread across the city, from the sidewalks of Jozenji Street to outside the Prefectural Office and more!
Details (JP): http://www.j-streetjazz.com/
5. Donto Road Hachiman Suzume Odori (Sparrow Dance)
When: September 9th, 10:45-4PM
The festival celebrating the birthplace of modern suzume odori takes place at the Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in Sendai. Dance performances in front of the shrine continue throughout the day culminating in a parade along highway 48 in front of the shine from 1-3PM. The festival ends with a finale free dance performance that audience members are encouraged to join.
Admission: Free
Where: Osaki Hachimangu Shine, Sendai
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4mNFqK9yU6v
Access: Direct bus access from Sendai Station from stop 15. Other options include the Loople Bus.
6. Sendai Oktoberfest
When: 9/13 to 9/24; Weekdays 4-9PM, Weekends 11-9PM
This Oktoberfest celebrates the arrival of fall with beer, wine and shochu from Tohoku breweries, beer from Germany and various delicious foods. Come for a taste of Sendai and Tohoku and stay for live music and a party atmosphere.
Where: Nichikicho Park (錦町公園)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4ft3FroMd8w
Details (JP): https://www.facebook.com/sendaioktober/
7. Toyoma Fall Festival (Tome City)
When: 9/15 12-9PM, 9/16 9:30-5PM
This traditional festival has continued for about 340 years. On the 15th is a Takigi Noh theater performance. This rare type of Noh is illuminated by torches, making for an otherworldly spectacle.
The 16th is the main day of the matsuri, featuring impressive decorative floats, omikoshi portable shrines and more.
Admission: Festival is free, Noh performance is 1500 yen for B seats and 2500 yen for A seats. Noh is from 5-8PM
Maps:
- Noh theater (伝統芸能伝承館): https://goo.gl/maps/4zW8WpM2x7R2
- Main festival: Toyoma Teraike area: https://goo.gl/maps/fh8WQMaRzHo
Access:
by car: take the Sanriku Expressway (三陸自動車道) to the Tome IC.
by train: Take the Kesennuma Line to Yanaizu Station (柳津駅) then take the Miyagi Kotsu Bus towards Tome (15 min ride). Get off at Tome Mikkamachi (登米三日町) stop.
by bus: from Sendai take the Higashi Nihon Kyuko Bus (東日本急行バス) for 97 min. to Toyoma Meiji Mura (とよま明治村).
Details (JP): http://toyoma.co.jp/blog/1163/
8. 2018 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Round 6 SUGO GT 300km Car Race
When: 9/15, 9/16
Super GT comes to Murata in southern Miyagi. This is the 6th race in the annual series featuring the new GT 500 class where Honda, Nissan and Lexus compete with exciting new cars as well as GT300 and the FIA-F4 which showcases the talents of young drivers.
Tickets: 9/15 is 3200 yen, 9/16 is 6400 yen, or buy both in advance for 5200 yen
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Q5rGFFTcQm82
Access: car!
Details (JP): sportsland-sugo.co.jp
9. Sendai Short Film Festival
When: 9/15 to 9/17
This independent cinema festival celebrates short and independent films. The highlight is the “Shortpiece!” selections which consists of film screenings followed by a discussion with panelists including practitioners from the forefront of modern cinema, the film’s director, and others.
Tickets: see all the films you want for 4000 yen, 3 programs (usually a series of films) for 2500 yen, or a single program for 1000 yen
Where: sendai mediatheque
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/yeV35MkJNT22
Details (JP): shortpiece.com
10. Yoshioka Fall Festival with Horseback Archery (Taiwa City)
When: 9/16 2PM
This fall festival dates back over 350 years. It takes place at Yoshioka Hachiman Shrine and the highlight is yabusame, where archers take aim at targets from galloping horses. The more arrows hit their targets, the better the harvest that year.
Access: 40 min. bus ride from Izumi-Chuo Subway Station via Miyagi Kotsu Bus (look for 吉岡行き) and get off at the 上町 stop.
Details (JP): https://www.miyagi-kankou.or.jp/kakikomi/detail.php?id=3346
11. Kanrantei Tea House Full Moon Concert (Matsushima)
When: 9/23, 24, 25 (no concert the 25th)
Performance 1 from 6-6:30, performance 2 from 7:30-8PM each night.
Watch the harvest moon rise over Matsushima Bay while enjoying a concert at Date Masamune's tea house in Matsushima. This year's performer is Date Low Strings, a cello and contrabass duet.
The moon was very important to Sendai founder Date Masamune (remember his crescent helmet). Kanrantei Tea House was used for moon viewing by the Date family.
Admission: 500 yen includes entry, matcha green tea and a dessert. Ticket sales begin the day of at 5PM. First come first -served up to 70 people.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/1F3Lfcx5ELP2
Access: 5 min. walk from Matsushimakaigan Station (JR Senseki Line)
12. Moon watching at Sendai 3.11 Memorial Community Center "Mamegettsuan"
When: 9/24 6-8PM
Head down towards Sendai's coast to watch the harvest moon rise from the roof of the memorial community center. There will be mochi rice balls (first come, first served).
Admission: Free
Where: Sendai 3.11 Memorial Community Center
Access: Sendai Tozai Subway Line to Arai Station, center is in the station
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7GhiU4WrSNz
Details (JP): web.midc.jp/bunka/event/
13. Baroque Violin at Nakamura Seishi Museum of Contemporary Art
When: 9/24 from 4PM
Close your eyes and feel like you are in Europe 400 years ago thanks to this performance of Baroque violin by Hiromi Sakaguchi and harpsichord by Hanako Kamogawa. They will perform works by Johann Georg Pisendel, Francesco Maria Veracini, Johann Heinrich Schmelzer and Antonio Lucio Vivaldi.
Tickets: 2000 yen adults
Reservations recommended: sampomichi.baroque@gmail.com
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/KYYoS4yDT1m
Access: by bus, take the Miyagi Kotsu from Sendai Station west bus pool #3「宮城学院」行き（市役所経由、上杉通経由）and get off at Higashi Katsuyama Chuo (東勝山中央) and walk 5 minutes or take Miyagi Kotsu from #4 towards 虹の丘団地キャンプ場 and get off at Kita Sendai Junior High School (北仙台中学校前) and walk 1 minute.
Details (JP): http://seishi-nakamoto.com/museum/content.html
14. Gama Rock (Shiogama)
When: 9/22 10-8PM
This music festival was started by a local photographer together with famous dancer Atsushi from Dragon Ash after the 2011 tsunami. Now it has performances by local and nationally-known groups, art workshops, and no shortage of delicious local food including fish and Shiogama's top-notch sake.
Tickets: 5000 yen (purchase at Tower Records Sendai or in Shiogama)
Where: Shiogama Minato Park
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Bo9TsL69J552
Access: 15 minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station (JR Senseki Line) or take a shuttle bus from the station (100 yen)
Details (JP): http://gamarock.net/
15. The Independents (Art Exhibits)
When: 9/26 to 10/7
Inspired by the radical 1884 exhibition in Paris "Le salon des indépendants" which had neither a selection jury nor awards, 5 Sendai art galleries collaborated on a similarly democratic and free-spirited art show. See the link as times differ by gallery.
On Sunday 9/30 is an outdoor performance at Nishi Koen near Jozenji Street: link
Where: 5 galleries and two outdoor spaces
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=10K5aPNkxf0p_TMDR0MKsuwQBVPA&
Details (JP): http://sendai21-independants.com/#gallery
16. Music Festival in Naruko (Osaki City)
When: 9/29, 9/30
Head to the mountains of Miyagi for an outdoor music festival with multiple stages around town. Naruko is famous for its varieties of hot spring waters, so be sure to hit a few while you're there!
Schedule:
Saturday
- 11-5PM: Naruko Onsen Station Stage
- 12-5PM: Yumeguri Hiroba Stage, Hotto Park Stage, Nakamachi dori Stage
- 7-9PM: Yumeguri Hiroba Stage
Sunday
- 11-3PM: Yumeguri Hiroba Stage, Hotto Park Stage, Nakamachi dori Stage, Naruko-Onsen Station Stage
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/c7zPfxZMqCs
Access: Shinkansen to JR Furukawa Station or Tohoku Line to Kogota Station. Transfer to the Rikuu-East Line and arrive at Naruko Onsen Station. There is also a direct express train "Minori" from Sendai or Matsushima Station (advance ticket purchase recommended for Minori) and infrequent Miyagi Kotsu Bus from outside Eden in Sendai.
Details (JP): welcome765onsen.web.fc2.com
Did we miss any good events?
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