Shiogama City is the second smallest municipality in Miyagi Prefecture by area. However, it has the longest history among cities in Tohoku, and tracing its history back, it played a politically and economically important role as a military and commercial port. During the Heian period, it gained fame as a utamakura (place name with poetic associations) for aristocrats, and Minamoto no Tōru, said to be the model for Hikaru Genji, was reportedly captivated and loved Shiogama's beautiful scenery. In this column, we will introduce tourist spots in Shiogama, a place full of such famous sites. Why not take a stroll through the city and experience the townscape and atmosphere that historical figures loved?
This is the terminal for sightseeing cruises from Shiogama to Matsushima and regular ferries to the Urato Islands. It opened in 1996 and is bustling with citizens and tourists. The facility is well-equipped with a restaurant area where you can enjoy seasonal seafood while overlooking the port, a direct sales shop for marine products, and souvenir shops, making it a convenient hub for tourism. There is an observation deck on the rooftop where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Shiogama's cityscape and Matsushima. The Marine Deck pedestrian bridge connecting Hon-Shiogama Station to Marine Gate also offers excellent views of the port and is highly recommended for night views.
An archipelago consisting of islands such as Nonoshima, Katsurajima, Sabusawajima, and Hojima scattered across Matsushima Bay. On these natural islands surrounded by beautiful seas, "island hopping" by ferry to visit each island is a popular tourist style. Katsurajima: Swimming beach; Nonoshima: Camellia tunnel walk and lavender viewing; Sabusawajima: Historical site tour; Hojima: Rapeseed flower field viewing, and many other highlights. If you have a full day, you can fully enjoy the activities on each island.
The closest island from Marine Gate Shiogama is Katsurajima. It's an island with a population of 200, located about 20 minutes by boat from Marine Gate Shiogama. It's a perfect place not only for a date but also for a solo trip to refresh your mind while overlooking the sea. There's a hiking trail on the island where you can fully enjoy the observation deck and the magnificent nature of Katsurahama.
There are fishing spots scattered throughout the island, so fishing enthusiasts can enjoy island time along the coast of this island surrounded by the sea.
Miyagi's representative wholesale market, with about 100 shops lining a vast sales floor of nearly 5,000㎡. The lively market offers a wide variety of ingredients, including fresh tuna and other seafood from Sanriku, salted and dried processed foods, delicacies, dried goods, and frozen foods, all available at wholesale prices. Professional chefs and local shop owners also visit to purchase goods, creating a great buzz from morning until early afternoon.
Inside the market, a rice & miso soup set is sold for 400 yen, but here's a secret tip. Buy your favorite seafood at the market and combine it with white rice right there... and you'll have your own original seafood bowl! I personally enjoyed combining sea urchin and tuna.
Shiogama, which flourished as a temple town for Shiogama Shrine, attracted many worshippers, and it is said that the taste of sake was refined there due to the large consumption of alcohol.
The brewery, Saura, was founded in 1724 (Kyoho 9), nearly 300 years ago, and since then, as the purveyor of sacred sake to Shiogama Shrine, they have been committed to brewing high-quality sake. At the store, they display and sell Urakasumi products exclusive to Miyagi Prefecture, as well as ceramic and glass sake vessels.
Urakasumi was not brewed from the time of its founding in the Edo period. Its birth was in 1925, at the end of the Taisho era. It was the name of the sake presented to Emperor Showa when he visited as Regent Prince. It is said that the characters "Ura" and "Kasumi" were taken from Minamoto no Sanetomo's waka poem, "The pine breeze of Shiogama's Ura is hazy, perhaps spring is coming to the eighty islands." It was named with the wish that people would enjoy a pleasant intoxication like the spring haze.
The "Junmai Ginjo Urakasumi Zen," which harmonizes a gentle aroma with the umami of rice, is a famous sake representing Miyagi. It's a food-pairing sake that you won't get tired of, and according to the staff, it pairs perfectly with white fish, vegetables, and cheese! Sake lovers should definitely try it. A wide variety of seasonal products are also available, and you can enjoy brewery tours and sake tasting (※).
Brewery Tour: Held twice a day. Takes about 15 minutes, where staff guide you through the exterior of the brewery buildings and their history. Sake Tasting Counter: Purchase an original Urakasumi sake cup (300 yen) and enjoy sake tasting with a different sake each month. *Currently suspended during the COVID-19 period.
The most historic spot in Shiogama. Shiogama Shrine has a long history of over 1200 years, and since the Heian period, it has been regarded as the shrine with the highest status in Mutsu Province.
The current Shiogama Shrine began with the reconstruction of its main hall by Date Tsunamura, the 4th lord of the Sendai Domain, and was completed by Date Yoshimura, the 5th lord. The main hall and worship hall are designated as important national cultural properties.
Shiogama Shrine, affectionately known as "Shiogama-sama," is famous for bestowing blessings as the deity of "maritime safety," "bountiful catches," and "safe childbirth." It attracts a large number of worshippers as one of Miyagi Prefecture's premier power spots, and many visitors come to pray for safe childbirth.
The large torii gate at the entrance was dedicated to commemorate the reconstruction by Date Tsunamura, the 4th lord of the Sendai Domain. The Omotezaka (front slope) visible beyond the torii gate is famous for its 202 stone steps, and the stones for its construction were reportedly transported approximately 100km from Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture. During annual events, a portable shrine weighing 1 ton actually ascends this Omotezaka.
From the shrine grounds, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Shiogama's cityscape and Matsushima. This scenery became widely known as a "utamakura" (place name with poetic associations) by famous figures of the Heiankyo era, including Minamoto no Tōru and Murasaki Shikibu, and many poems were composed about it. It is clear that it has continued to captivate people's hearts since ancient times.
The first shrine in Japan where salt was made. It is also the origin of the place name "Shiogama." It is a subsidiary shrine (small shrine attached to the main shrine) of Shiogama Shrine, enshrining Shiotsuchi-no-Ojikami, the deity who taught how to make salt. Matsuo Basho, a haikai poet from the Edo period, also visited Okama Shrine and recorded his experience in "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North). The "Moshioyaki Shinji" (Seaweed Salt Burning Ritual), held every July, is a ritual designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Miyagi Prefecture. You can observe the process of burning seaweed salt in a cauldron, so please see the traditional salt making with your own eyes.
How was it? Shiogama, which flourished as a salt-producing region since ancient times and bustled commercially and politically, is packed not only with fresh seafood but also with historic buildings and the culture that accompanies them. In addition, you can encounter the history of town development everywhere in Shiogama. Please enjoy each of the tourist and historical spots.
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