At a Glance
Shiroishi is in southern Miyagi Prefecture, and the southern peak of Mount Zaō is within the city borders. The area of present-day Shiroishi was part of ancient Mutsu Province and was under control of the Date clan of Sendai Domain during the Edo period. During the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration, Shiroishi Castle was the site of a fierce battle between the pro-imperial and pro-Tokugawa forces. Today Shiroishi Castle is a popular tourist destination in Miyagi and it's especially beautiful during hanami.
The train line to Shiroishi is the Tohoku Hon Line. Tickets are 760yen (one-way) and you can use Suica. It takes 45-50 min. to get to Shiroishi from Sendai. There are express trains that take about 40 min. Shiroishi has a Shinkansen station called ShiroishiZao. The shink to Sendai takes 15 min. and costs about 1500yen one-way. The Shinkansen to Tokyo takes exactly 2hrs and costs 10000 yen one-way. Shiroishi has a toll road interchange. You can take the local road (route 4) all the way from Sendai or use the toll road.
There are many shopping centers, book stores, electronic stores, foreign food restaurants, supermarkets, video rental stores, etc. There are plenty of useful shops around route 4 in Shiroishi, including: Yamaya (foreign food, cheap booze), Tsutaya (videos, CDs, books), Bookoff (books, manga), and the 100 yen shop. There's also a Yamada Denki on route 4.
The train line to Shiroishi is the Tohoku Hon Line. Tickets are 760yen (one-way) and you can use Suica. It takes 45-50 min. to get to Shiroishi from Sendai. There are express trains that take about 40 min. Shiroishi has a Shinkansen station called ShiroishiZao. The shink to Sendai takes 15 min. and costs about 1500yen one-way. The Shinkansen to Tokyo takes exactly 2hrs and costs 10000 yen one-way. Shiroishi has a toll road interchange. You can take the local road (route 4) all the way from Sendai or use the toll road.
There are many shopping centers, book stores, electronic stores, foreign food restaurants, supermarkets, video rental stores, etc. There are plenty of useful shops around route 4 in Shiroishi, including: Yamaya (foreign food, cheap booze), Tsutaya (videos, CDs, books), Bookoff (books, manga), and the 100 yen shop. There's also a Yamada Denki on route 4.
Pochi Warrior Kojuro! Official PR Character for Shiroishi
Restaurants
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Nakajima
Move aside ramen, umen is here. Umen was designed to be easy to eat. The story behind umen is that a child had a father who had a stomach illness which didn't let him eat heavily cooked food. A travelling monk listened to his story and taught him to make noodles that were thick and short and that retained it's flavor without the need to fry it. And so, umen was born. You can try some at Nakajima right by Shiroishi Station. Fukukoutei Chinese restaurant in Shiroishi. While the flavour for most dishes is pretty Japanese, they have two things which make them stand out; American sized portions for cheap, and their one-of-a-kind fried eggplant. They also generally assume you'll be sharing, which may or may not be a good thing 麦の季 Michelin guide Udon noodles. McDonald's Japanese restuarant that dons a yellow M for its sign and a clown for its mascot. Food is pretty good. Fast and reliable. |
Ramen
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Ramen Unjyarage - らぁめん うんじゃらげ
The Southern Miyagi JETs usually have ramen on Tuesdays at Ramen Unjyarage (らぁめん うんじゃらげ), located near ShiroishiZao Station. This place is known for its unjaramen which is a broth-less ramen bowl that comes with meat, bean sprouts, and other small veggies. |
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Miyagi Lapras Pokelid - Nickit
Did you know that Miyagi's Ambassador Pokemon is Lapras? There are 35 decorative Lapras Manhole Covers all over the Sanriku Coast of Miyagi! Nickit can be found in Masuoka Park, the same place Shiroishi Castle is located! Why Nickit? In the mountains of Shiorishi is Zao Fox Village! |
Castle Site
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Shiroishi Castle - 白石城
Also known as Masuda Castle, this castle is the only standing castles in Miyagi and therefore a very popular tourist spot. The original castle was destroyed in 1875 during the Meiji Period and the castle area was turned into Masuoka Park. In 1995, it was restored using the original building techniques and is now open for tourists. You can try on different outfits here such as armor or kimonos with the help of some staff. |
Shrines
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Shinmeisha Shrine - 神明社
There are several Shinmeisha Shrines around Japan, this one is located near Shiroishi Castle. The architecture is pretty unique compared to other shrines. A nice place to stop by if you're already at Shiroishi Castle. Manzo Inari Shrine Similiar to the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto, Shiroishi has its own (sorta). It's about 50 ish torii gates up to a shrine. Beautiful in the snow. |
Hot Springs
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Katsura Hot Springs - 小原温泉 岩風呂 かつらの湯
An iwafuro (stone bath), meaning it's a bath cut into the cliffside. Not too easy to park at, but it is super cheap at ￥300. It tends to run on the hot side (50C), but is pretty decent for the price |
Parks
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Masuoka Park - 益岡公園
Masuoka Park is famous for being the old castle ground of the original Shiroishi Castle. This park has several sakura trees that bloom in the spring and the park is surrounded by fall colors in autumn. |
Museums
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Shiroishi Castle History Museum - 白石城歴史探訪ミュージアム
A museum right next to Shiroishi Castle detailing the history and significance of Shiroishi Castle. It has a 3D theatre at the top and the rest dedicated to historical exhibits. |
