Shiogama City is the second smallest municipality in Miyagi Prefecture. 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. In the Heian period, it was famous as a utamakura (a place name with poetic associations) for nobles, and Minamoto no Tōru, said to be the model for Hikaru Genji, was captivated and loved Shiogama's beautiful scenery. In this column, we introduce tourist spots in Shiogama, a city full of such famous places. Why not take a walk through the city and feel the townscape and atmosphere loved by historical figures?
This is the terminal for sightseeing cruises from Shiogama to Matsushima and regular ferries to the Urato Islands. It was established in 1996 and has been 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. On the rooftop, there is an observation deck with a panoramic view of the port, offering a complete view of Shiogama's cityscape and Matsushima. The Marine Deck, a pedestrian bridge connecting Hon-Shiogama Station to Marine Gate, also offers excellent views of the port and is recommended for night viewing.
An archipelago consisting of islands such as Nono-jima, Katsura-jima, Samukaze-jima, and Hō-jima, scattered across Matsushima Bay. On these islands, rich in nature and surrounded by beautiful seas, "island hopping" by ferry to visit each island is a popular tourist style. Katsura-jima: Swimming beach; Nono-jima: Camellia tunnel walk and lavender viewing; Samukaze-jima: Historical site tour; Hō-jima: Rapeseed flower field viewing, and many other highlights. If you have a full day, you can fully enjoy activities on each island.
Katsura-jima is the closest island to Marine Gate Shiogama. It is an island with a population of 200, located about 20 minutes by boat from Marine Gate Shiogama. It's a perfect place for a date, or even for a solo refresh while gazing at the ocean view. There are hiking trails on the island, where you can fully enjoy the observatory 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 sea-surrounded island.
This is Miyagi's representative wholesale market, with approximately 100 shops lining a vast sales floor of nearly 5,000㎡. Inside the lively market, you'll find a wide variety of ingredients, including fresh tuna and other seafood from Sanriku, salted and dried processed products, delicacies, dried goods, and frozen foods, all available at wholesale prices. Professional chefs and local shop owners also come here to buy, 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've got your own original seafood bowl! I personally enjoyed a combination of 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 high consumption of alcohol.
The brewery, Saura-san, was founded in 1724 (Kyoho 9), 300 years ago, and since then, as the sacred sake brewery of Shiogama Shrine, they have been committed to brewing high-quality sake. In their shop, they display and sell Urakasumi products exclusive to Miyagi Prefecture, as well as ceramic and glass sake vessels.
Urakasumi was not brewed from the very beginning of the Edo period. Its birth dates back to 1925, at the end of the Taisho era. It was the name of the sake presented to Emperor Showa when he visited during his regency, and it was named after the waka poem by Minamoto no Sanetomo, "The pine breeze of Shiogama's Ura is hazy; will spring arrive across the eighty islands?" taking the characters "Ura" and "Kasumi." It was named with the wish for people to enjoy a pleasant intoxication like the haze of spring.
Junmai Ginjo Urakasumi Zen, with its harmonious balance of gentle aroma and rice umami, is a renowned sake representing Miyagi. It's a food-friendly 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 try it. They also have a rich selection of seasonal limited editions, 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 brewery buildings and history from the exterior. Sake Tasting Counter: Purchase an original Urakasumi sake cup (300 yen) and enjoy monthly rotating sake for tasting. *Currently suspended during the COVID 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 was initiated for reconstruction by Date Tsunamura, the 4th lord of the Sendai Domain, and later 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 for "maritime safety," "bountiful catches," and "safe childbirth." It attracts many devotees as one of Miyagi Prefecture's top 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 is famous for its 202 stone steps, and the stones for its construction were reportedly transported about 100 km from Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture. During annual events, a 1-ton portable shrine (mikoshi) is carried up 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" (a 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's clear that it has continued to captivate people's hearts since ancient times.
The shrine where salt was first made in Japan, and the origin of the place name "Shiogama." It is a subordinate shrine (massha) of Shiogama Shrine and enshrines Shiotsuchi-no-Oji-no-Kami, the deity who taught how to make salt. Matsuo Basho, a haikai poet of the Edo period, also visited Okama Shrine and recorded his experiences there 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 actual process of burning seaweed salt in a cauldron, so please see the traditional salt making with your own eyes.
How was it? Shiogama, which prospered 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 experience the history of town development everywhere in Shiogama. Please enjoy each of the tourist and historical spots.
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