Shiogama City is the second smallest city in Miyagi Prefecture by area. Yet, it boasts the longest history of any city in the Tohoku region, and tracing its history back reveals that it played a politically and economically important role as a naval and commercial port. During the Heian period, it was famous as a place of poetic inspiration for aristocrats, and it is said that Minamoto no Tōru, who is believed to be the model for Hikaru Genji, was captivated by and loved the beautiful scenery of Shiogama. In this column, we will introduce some of the tourist spots in Shiogama, which is full of such historical sites. Why not take a stroll through the city and feel the streetscapes and atmosphere that were loved by historical figures?
This is the terminal for sightseeing cruise ships that go from Shiogama to Matsushima, as well as regular ferries to the Urato Islands. Established in 1996, it is a bustling hub for both locals and tourists. Inside, you'll find a variety of amenities, including a restaurant area where you can enjoy seasonal seafood while overlooking the harbor, a direct sales market for seafood, and souvenir shops, making it a convenient stopover point for sightseeing. The rooftop observation deck offers panoramic views of the harbor, including the townscape of Shiogama and Matsushima. The Marine Deck, a pedestrian bridge connecting Hon-Shiogama Station to Marine Gate, also offers excellent views of the harbor and is highly recommended for enjoying the night view.
The archipelago consists of Nonoshima, Katsurashima, Kanpusawajima, and Hokushima, scattered throughout Matsushima Bay. Surrounded by beautiful seas and abundant nature, island hopping, where you take a ferry to visit each island, is a popular tourist activity. Katsurashima: swimming beach Nonoshima: strolling through a tunnel of camellias and admiring lavender Kanpusawajima: historical sites to explore Hokushima: admiring rapeseed fields There are many points of interest, and you can fully enjoy the activities on each island in just one day.
The closest island to Marine Gate Shiogama is Katsurajima. This island, with a population of 200, is about a 20-minute boat ride from Marine Gate Shiogama. It's a perfect spot for a date, or even for a solo getaway to enjoy the ocean views. The island has hiking trails, allowing you to fully appreciate the magnificent natural beauty of the observation deck and Katsurahama beach.
Fishing spots are scattered throughout the island, so fishing enthusiasts can enjoy island time along the coast of this island surrounded by the sea.
This is Miyagi's leading wholesale market, with approximately 100 shops lining a vast sales area of nearly 5,000 square meters. The lively market offers a wide variety of ingredients, including fresh tuna and other seafood from the Sanriku region, as well as salted and dried products, delicacies, dried goods, and frozen foods, all available at wholesale prices. Professional chefs and local shop owners also come to purchase goods, and the market is bustling with activity from morning until early afternoon.
While a rice and miso soup set is sold for 400 yen inside the market, here's a little insider 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 enjoyed a delicious bowl with sea urchin and tuna.
Shiogama, which flourished as a temple town for Shiogama Shrine, is said to have become a center for the large-scale consumption of sake due to the large number of worshippers who visited, thus refining the taste of the sake.
Saura Brewery's history dates back to 1724, 300 years ago, and since then, they have been dedicated to producing high-quality sake as the official sake brewer for Shiogama Shrine. The shop displays and sells Urakasumi products, which are only available in Miyagi Prefecture, as well as ceramic and glass sake vessels.
Urakasumi was not produced from the time of the company's founding in the Edo period. It was created in 1925, at the end of the Taisho era. It was the name of the sake presented to Emperor Showa when he visited the area while he was still Regent, and the name was derived from the characters "ura" (bay) and "kasumi" (mist) in a waka poem by Minamoto no Sanetomo: "The wind blows through the pines of Shiogama Bay, creating a misty atmosphere; spring must be arriving across the eighty islands." It was named with the hope that people would enjoy a feeling of intoxication like the mist of spring.
"Junmai Ginjo Urakasumi Zen," a representative sake of Miyagi Prefecture, boasts a harmonious balance of mild aroma and the delicious flavor of rice. It's a food-pairing sake that you won't tire of, and according to the staff, it pairs exceptionally well with white fish, vegetables, and cheese! Sake lovers should definitely give it a try. A wide variety of seasonal limited editions are also available, and you can enjoy brewery tours and sake tastings (*).
Brewery Guide: Held twice a day. The tour takes approximately 15 minutes, during which staff will guide you through the brewery building and explain its history from the outside. Sake Tasting Counter: Purchase an original Urakasumi sake cup (300 yen) and enjoy a sake tasting with a different sake each month. *Currently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most historically significant spot in Shiogama. Shiogama Shrine boasts a long history of over 1200 years and has been treated as the most prestigious shrine in Mutsu Province since the Heian period.
The current Shiogama Shrine was started by Date Tsunamura, the fourth lord of the Sendai Domain, and later completed by Date Yoshimura, the fifth lord. The main hall and worship hall are designated as important cultural properties of Japan.
Shiogama Shrine, affectionately known as "Shiogama-sama," is famous for granting blessings for "safety at sea," "abundant catches," and "safe childbirth." As one of Miyagi Prefecture's top power spots, it attracts many worshippers, and many can be seen visiting to pray for safe childbirth.
The large torii gate at the entrance was erected to commemorate the reconstruction by Date Tsunamura, the fourth lord of the Sendai domain. The Omote-zaka (front slope) visible beyond the torii gate is famous for its 202 stone steps, and the stones used for the steps were reportedly transported from Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture, a distance of about 100 km. During annual events, a portable shrine weighing a staggering one ton is carried up this Omote-zaka.
From the temple grounds, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town of Shiogama and Matsushima. This scenery became widely known as a "place of poetic inspiration" by famous figures of Heian-kyo, including Minamoto no Tōru and Murasaki Shikibu, and countless poems were composed about it. It is clear that this place has continued to captivate people's hearts since ancient times.
This shrine is where salt was first produced in Japan. It is also the origin of the place name "Shiogama." It is a subsidiary shrine (a small shrine attached to the main shrine) of Shiogama Shrine and enshrines Shiotsuchi-oji-no-kami, the god who taught how to make salt. Matsuo Basho, a haiku poet of the Edo period, also visited Okama Shrine and recorded the events of that time in his "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North). The "Moshio-yaki Shinto Ritual," held every July, is a ritual designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Miyagi Prefecture. You can actually see the process of burning seaweed in a kiln, so be sure to see the traditional way of salt making with your own eyes.
So, what did you think? Shiogama, which has flourished since ancient times as a salt-producing region and has been a bustling commercial and political center, is packed not only with fresh seafood but also with historical buildings and the culture that accompanies them. In addition, you can experience the history of the town's development everywhere in Shiogama. Be sure to enjoy all the tourist spots and historical sites!
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