At a Glance
Shiogama is a port town in Miyagi located between Sendai and Matsushima. The city derives its name ("salt furnace" or "salt cauldron") from an ancient method to harvest salt by boiling seawater in large kettles. The ritual is still performed every July at Shiogama Shrine, the oldest Shinto shrine in Tohoku. The city supports a large fishing industry, and a significant portion of Japan's tuna and swordfish catch is processed along Shiogama's waterfronts. Not surprisingly, Shiogama is famous for its local seafood, especially its sushi, and boasts the highest number of sushi restaurants per capita in Japan.
The main hub of the city is around Hon-Shiogama Station. There are many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, Aeon Mall, and Marine Gate. Marine Gate has a couple of restaurants and souvenir shops. At Marine Gate you can by ferry tickets to Shiogama's Urato Islands and Matsushima.
There are 5 islands that you can visit and prices vary according to the distance. Katsurashima is the first stop on the ferry. There is a post office, a nori factory, Katsurashima beach where you can swim. The next stop is Nonoshima. There you can find the General Development Center, Urato ES and JHS, a Christian Buddha statue in the Kumano Shrine, and a curious group of caves. The third island is Ishihama, and there isn't much there except fisherman and a view of the other islands. The largest of the Urato Islands is Sabusawajima. It is the birthplace of Tsudayu and Sahei, who were the first Japanese to travel around the world. During the Edo period, Sabusawajima had thrived as the Date Clan's port. There are objects that show former prosperity today such as the stone compass of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, statues of bound Jizo in Hiyoriyama Mountain, and the monument for the very first Western-style warship "Kaiseimaru" built by the Date Clan. The last island on the itinerary is Hojima Island. This island's main industry is fisheries with raw oyster and fry oyster cultures.
The main hub of the city is around Hon-Shiogama Station. There are many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, Aeon Mall, and Marine Gate. Marine Gate has a couple of restaurants and souvenir shops. At Marine Gate you can by ferry tickets to Shiogama's Urato Islands and Matsushima.
There are 5 islands that you can visit and prices vary according to the distance. Katsurashima is the first stop on the ferry. There is a post office, a nori factory, Katsurashima beach where you can swim. The next stop is Nonoshima. There you can find the General Development Center, Urato ES and JHS, a Christian Buddha statue in the Kumano Shrine, and a curious group of caves. The third island is Ishihama, and there isn't much there except fisherman and a view of the other islands. The largest of the Urato Islands is Sabusawajima. It is the birthplace of Tsudayu and Sahei, who were the first Japanese to travel around the world. During the Edo period, Sabusawajima had thrived as the Date Clan's port. There are objects that show former prosperity today such as the stone compass of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, statues of bound Jizo in Hiyoriyama Mountain, and the monument for the very first Western-style warship "Kaiseimaru" built by the Date Clan. The last island on the itinerary is Hojima Island. This island's main industry is fisheries with raw oyster and fry oyster cultures.
Magusuke is officially Shiagama's PR Character, BUT he is just one of ELEVEN characters Shiogama has.
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Let us know if there is something you want us to feature here by emailing us at [email protected]!
Sushi Restaurants
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Uochoutei Seafood Restaurant - 海鮮料理魚長亭
If you like seafood, Uochoutei is a good Japanese restaurant located on the border of Tagajo and Shiogama. It's right by the waterfront so you can see many boats and the port! Shiogamako Kaisenzushi Restraurant - 廻鮮寿司塩釜港 To the right of Shiogama Station (near Yokubenimaru) is Shiogamako Kaisenzushi Restraurant which has the BEST sushi in all of Japan! Feel free to ask for the English menu. Shiogama Sushitetsu Honten - 塩竃すし哲 本店 The most famous sushi restaurant in Shiogama is Sushi Tetsu! Expensive but worth the food and experience. They plate the food as if it were pieces of art and the staff are always friendly. |
Pizzeria
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La Gita Pizzeria
La Gita Pizzeria has delicious pizza and it's located across from Marine Gate. They are known for their pizzas but also offer other Italian dishes like pasta as well as wine. |
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Miyagi Lapras Pokelid - Plusle
Did you know that Miyagi's Ambassador Pokemon is Lapras? There are 35 decorative Lapras Manhole Covers all over the Sanriku Coast of Miyagi! To find Plusle if you have to go to Hon-Shiogama Station and look behind the souvenir shop. If you're looking for Minun go to Shiogama's neighbor, Rifu! |
Shrines
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Shiogama Shrine - 鹽竈神社
Shiogama Shrine is probably one of the oldest and most important shrines in all of Tohoku with its origins possibly in the Nara period. The kami that is deified here is the protector of fishermen and childbirth. The shrine grounds are free to enter but the museum requires tickets. The best time to visit the shrine is probably during hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season in late April/early May. There are a wide variety of sakura trees including the 'shiogama-zakura', a sakura unique to the shrine and are designated as a national monument. The shrine stands on a steep hill so prepare yourself for a bit of a hike, or take a less strenuous hike on the other side of the shrine. Shiwahiko Shrine - 志波彦神社 Located within the Shiogama Shrine grounds is another important shrine dedicated to the kami of agriculture. It used to be located in Iwakiri but it was transferred to Shiogama in 1874. Shiwahiko Shrine is also designated as cultural assets. |
Monuments
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Museums
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Shiogamajinja Museum - 鹽竈神社 博物館
Right next to Shiogama Shrine is the Museum dedicated to it. It's a bit tucked away on the shrine area but here you can learn about the history of Shiogama Shrine's history, why they use the archaic form for the kanji, and learn about salt making! There are some English translations available here! |
Shopping Centers
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The Shiogama Fish Market - 塩釜水産物仲卸市場
Shiogama Fish Market supplies fresh seafood to Sendai, Tokyo and elsewhere. Auctions of raw tuna fish are well worth watching as Shiogama has the biggest unloading of tuna for distribution in Japan due to the high quality catches sought after by buyers all over the country. The Fish Market is open in the early hours but is always considered fresh and cheap. You can pay 400 yen to make your own kaisen don (Seafood Rice Bowl) with the fresh fish at the market at My Kaisendon! |
