Events around Roopt Sendai Yakushido

This is Sendai's autumn music festival where you can casually enjoy classical music in the city. Performances are short, 45-60 minutes, and some allow entry from age 0, so you can drop by easily.

2026 marks the 20th anniversary, with 77 performances over three days. With three venues along the subway line, you can immerse yourself in music day and night during your stay in Sendai. Book popular performances early.

For two days, dancers with naruko fill autumn Sendai. Venues are scattered throughout the city, so you'll find dancing somewhere as you walk around.

Viewing is free, and there's no set schedule, so you can drop by during a stroll. No language is needed.

This is a night illumination at Entsuin Temple in Matsushima, famous for the reflection of autumn leaves in Shinjii Pond. The entire garden is lit up, and the scene of the water and autumn leaves overlapping is a classic autumn sight in Matsushima.

Its beauty transcends language, so it's highly recommended for international visitors. It's also a great evening destination for those staying in Matsushima, or extending their night from Shiogama/Higashimatsushima. Please check the official website for lighting times before visiting.

This is an autumn leaves illumination along the approximately 220m promenade that follows the unique rock formations of Akiu Onsen's "Rairaikyo" gorge. The gorge's rock faces and colorful trees reflect in the water, and there's a footbath at the end of the path.

It's a night destination for those extending their trip to Akiu Onsen, Sendai's inner parlor. The event is usually held in November, but please check the official website closer to the date.

This is a winter tradition in Sendai. Hundreds of thousands of light bulbs illuminate the zelkova trees along Jozenji-dori Avenue, transforming the entire street into a tunnel of light throughout December.

You can just walk through; no admission fee or reservation is required. It's cold, so wear a thick coat.

The period and lighting times vary each year. Please check the official website before you go.

This is an event to pray for good health throughout the year by burning New Year's decorations. It's the largest of its kind in Miyagi Prefecture, attracting about 100,000 visitors.

The highlight is theHadaka Mairi (Naked Pilgrimage). Worshippers wrapped in loincloths walk towards the fire, exhaling white breaths. Nights in Sendai in January can drop below freezing.

Since it's a shrine with a National Treasure main hall, it's also worth visiting during the day.

Matsushima's winter tradition, an oyster-filled festival. It features steamed, grilled, and fried oyster tastings, free samples, and even a warming footbath.

You can savor the bounty of the Sanriku sea right there, making it a prime target if you're staying in Matsushima in winter. The date is typically the first Sunday in February, but please check the Matsushima Tourist Association's announcement for the confirmed date closer to the event.

This festival involves carrying a 1-ton portable shrine down the202 steps of Shiogama Shrine's main approach. Sixteen bearers carry it.

The sight of the portable shrine descending the stairs is the highlight, whether viewed from above or below. It is said to have begun in the Edo period as a prayer for fire prevention and is counted as one of the three major festivals of Shiogama Shrine (Hote Festival, Hana Matsuri, Minato Matsuri).

It's within walking distance from accommodations along Shiogama Kaigan-dori.

During cherry blossom season, the portable shrine of Shiogama Shrine parades through the city. It's called "Hana Matsuri" (Flower Festival) because it coincides with the cherry blossoms.

Shiogama Shrine itself is famous for its cherry blossoms within its grounds, and the late-blooming Shiogama cherry blossoms are a national natural monument. Even if you don't visit during the festival, the grounds are worth a walk at this time of year.

This is an early summer festival in Sendai. The Yoimatsuri (eve festival) on Saturday featuresSuzume Odori (Sparrow Dance), and the Honmatsuri (main festival) on Sunday features a historical parade of Date Masamune and a float procession.

The Suzume Odori involves dancing with fans, jumping. There are also times when you can join in the dance. Just watching is lively enough.

This is one of Japan's three great boat festivals. Two portable shrines from Shiwa Hiko Shrine and Shiogama Shrine board imperial boats and tour Matsushima Bay, accompanied by about 100 escort boats.

The eve festival fireworksare launched from Shiogama Port. Since the fireworks open over the sea, they are reflected on the water's surface.

The 2026 event finished in July. The next will be around Marine Day in 2027. Once the dates are announced, we will update them on theNearby Eventspage.

As the eve festival for the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, approximately 16,000 fireworks are launched from the Hirose Riverbed.

The launch site is right next to the city center, so you might unexpectedly see them while walking around town. It's a high-density fireworks display, with many launched in about an hour.

If you stay for the Tanabata Matsuri starting the next day, you can see two different sides of Sendai on consecutive days.

This is one of Japan's three great Tanabata festivals and is counted among the three great festivals of Tohoku. It is held annually from August 6th to 8th for three days, and the dates do not change.

The highlight is thefukinagashi (streamers)that fill the shopping streets. Several-meter-long decorations made of Japanese paper and kusudama (decorative balls) hang throughout the arcades. It's a festival where you walk along with the crowd, looking up, not a festival where you watch stages.

You can enjoy it even if you don't understand the language, but it gets incredibly crowded. It's difficult to move around after evening, so the morning is the best time to visit.

This is an Obon event where lanterns are floated on Matsushima Bay to send off ancestors. Lights and fireworks combine over the sea of one of Japan's three most scenic spots.

The 15th is the eve festival, with stalls, Bon Odori, and taiko drums. The 16th is the main event of the Daiseigakie, where lanterns are floated after sutra chanting. Both nights feature memorial fireworks for about 15 minutes.

These are not fireworks for tourism, but rather as送り火 (okuribi, farewell fires). It is customary to watch them quietly.