mountain pass
Zao Echo Line
Mountain road over the Zao range between Miyagi and Yamagata, climbing past the emerald Okama crater lake. Opens each spring through towering snow walls and blazes with colour in autumn.
40 km · about 45 min drive
AsiaJapanMiyagi
Sendai
Miyagi, Japan · Asia
About Sendai
Sendai sits on the route: 20 minutes from Natori-shi, 40km from Zao Echo Line.
Sendai is in Miyagi, Japan, with about 1.1 million people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Natori-shi, about 11 km away.
Sendai (仙台市, Sendai-shi; [seꜜn.dai, sen.daꜜi.ɕi] ) is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tōhoku region. As of 1 August 2023, the city had a population of 1,098,335 in 539,698 households, making it the twelfth most populated city in Japan.
The modern city was founded in 1600 by the daimyōRead more
Date Masamune. It is nicknamed the City of Trees (杜の都, Mori no Miyako); there are Japanese zelkova trees lining many of the main thoroughfares such as Jōzenji Street (定禅寺通, Jōzenji dōri) and Aoba Street (青葉通, Aoba dōri).
In the summer, the Sendai Tanabata Festival, the largest Tanabata festival in Japan, is held. In winter, the trees are decorated with thousands of lights for the Pageant of Starlight (光のページェント, Hikari no pējento), lasting through most of December. The city is also home to Tohoku University, one of the former Imperial Universities. On 11 March 2011, coastal areas of the city suffered catastrophic damage from a magnitude 9.0 offshore earthquake, which triggered a destructive tsunami.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Sendai?
Within an hour or so of Sendai: Zao Echo Line (40 km), Ginzan Onsen (45 km).
Are there any good drives near Sendai?
The nearest famous roads are Zao Echo Line and Bandai-Azuma Skyline.
Where is Sendai?
Sendai is in Miyagi, Japan, about 11 km from Natori-shi.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,096,704
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Miyagi
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 38.2667, 140.8667
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Sendai
2 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Ginzan Onsen
A narrow gorge lined with three- and four-storey wooden ryokan from the Taisho era, facing each other across a river and lit by gas lamps after dark. Cars park outside the village and visitors walk the last stretch in.
45 km · about 50 min drive
Driving roads near Sendai
2 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 40 kmZao Echo LineMountain road over the Zao range between Miyagi and Yamagata, climbing past the emerald Okama crater lake. Opens each spring through towering snow walls and blazes with colour in autumn.
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