{"id":1226,"date":"2026-06-16T13:25:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T13:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/?p=1226"},"modified":"2026-06-16T13:25:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T13:25:57","slug":"%e3%80%90%e4%bc%8a%e9%81%94%e6%94%bf%e5%ae%97%e3%82%86%e3%81%8b%e3%82%8a%e3%81%ae%e5%9c%b0%e3%82%92%e5%b7%a1%e3%82%8b%e3%80%91%e4%bb%99%e5%8f%b0%e3%83%bb%e7%99%bd%e7%9f%b3-2%e6%b3%8a3%e6%97%a5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/%e3%80%90%e4%bc%8a%e9%81%94%e6%94%bf%e5%ae%97%e3%82%86%e3%81%8b%e3%82%8a%e3%81%ae%e5%9c%b0%e3%82%92%e5%b7%a1%e3%82%8b%e3%80%91%e4%bb%99%e5%8f%b0%e3%83%bb%e7%99%bd%e7%9f%b3-2%e6%b3%8a3%e6%97%a5\/","title":{"rendered":"[100 Fine Castles of Japan – No.08 & No.105] A 3-Day Sendai & Shiroishi Itinerary: Retracing the Footsteps of Date Masamune with My Son"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
1. Journey Concept & Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The main theme of this trip is the “One-Eyed Dragon,” Date Masamune. My 8-year-old son, who accompanies me, is such an enthusiastic fan that he unhesitatingly chooses Masamune even in the historical simulation game “Nobunaga’s Ambition.” Equipped with an “eyepatch” and a “sword” he crafted himself just for this day, he retraces the footsteps of his admired warlord. Additionally, this 3-day, 2-night historical exploration is packed with family milestones: conquering our 11th Pok\u00e9mon Center nationwide as part of our family quest, visiting holy sites from the anime “Haikyu!!,” and soaking in the vibrant pre-festival atmosphere just before the Sendai Tanabata Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Travel Log<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u3010Day 1\u3011Landing in Sendai! Transforming into the “One-Eyed Dragon” and Conquering the Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
09:00\uff5cArrival at Sendai Station<\/strong> Stepping off the Shinkansen, we were greeted by massive, colorful Tanabata paper decorations hanging in the open atrium. Surrounded by the festive atmosphere, we dropped off our luggage at our accommodation, “Richmond Hotel Sendai.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
09:30\uff5cPok\u00e9mon Center Tohoku (1st Visit)<\/strong> Since it was before opening hours, we started by taking commemorative photos with the Pok\u00e9mon statues outside the building. With this, following Sapporo, Yokohama, and Okinawa, we have successfully visited 11 Pok\u00e9mon Center locations across Japan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
10:00\uff5cA Quick Break with the Famous “Zunda Shake”<\/strong> We bought the local specialty, a Zunda (sweet edamame paste) shake, at the station building. We set off while savoring its unique flavor, which my son described as “pretty tasty.”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
13:00\uff5cConquering Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle) \u3010100 Fine Castles of Japan – No.08\u3011<\/strong> We rode up the mountain on the “Loople Sendai” bus and finally stood before the equestrian statue of Lord Date Masamune. Wearing his handmade eyepatch and sword, my son proudly reported his arrival to the real Lord Masamune. We also rented a samurai helmet at the Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan, completing his perfect samurai transformation for a commemorative photo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n
14:30\uff5cAoba Castle Museum<\/strong> We took our time examining the historical exhibits. At the gift shop, we bought an exclusive “Haikyu!!” postcard. Although my son hasn’t played volleyball yet, we could feel the burning passion of the series’ real-life setting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
16:00\uff5cPraying at Miyagiken Gokoku Shrine<\/strong> Enshrined within the Honmaru ruins of Sendai Castle, the family prayed for a safe journey at the vibrant vermilion shrine pavilion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
17:30\uff5cPok\u00e9mon Center Tohoku (2nd Visit)<\/strong> A rematch before dinner! This time, we took our time enjoying a proper shopping spree inside the store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
19:00\uff5cTanya Zenjirou – Sendai Station Gyutan Dori Branch<\/strong> The long-awaited dinner. We relished our favorite thick-cut gyutan (grilled beef tongue). It seemed a bit too chewy for my son, but it was a great experience for him to taste the local flavor of his favorite warlord’s domain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
20:30\uff5cHotel Check-in<\/strong> My son was absolutely thrilled with the hotel’s play area, which featured complimentary traditional Japanese sweets (dagashi), board games, and a block wall to build on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u3010Day 2\u3011Visiting Three Shrines of Date and an Unexpected Journey Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
09:00\uff5cBreakfast at Date Cafe O’s<\/strong> Located on the 1st floor of Sendai Station. We charged our energy with the specialty “Salmon and Ikura (Harako) Dashi Chazuke” (rice with soup stock).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
10:30\uff5cExploring Zuihoden Mausoleum<\/strong> The final resting place of Lord Masamune. Our family walked up the long, quiet stone steps, marveling at the gorgeously brilliant decorations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
12:30\uff5cPraying at Osaki Hachiman-gu Shrine & Kakigori Break<\/strong> We admired the National Treasure shrine pavilion. Since we had walked quite a bit and fatigue was setting in, we took a breather with some “Kakigori” (shaved ice) sold on the shrine grounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
14:30\uff5cPraying at Aoba Shrine & Lunch<\/strong> A shrine dedicated to Lord Masamune himself. After paying our respects, we headed to the nearby “Ramen Oppeshan.” Choosing a rich black garlic oil (mayu) ramen while in Sendai served as a wonderful, unexpected accent to our trip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
19:30\uff5cDad Departs Sendai Station<\/strong> Due to an urgent matter at work, I had to take an evening Shinkansen back to Tokyo ahead of the family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
10:30\uff5cConquering Shiroishi Castle \u3010Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan – No.105\u3011<\/strong> To avenge Dad’s early departure, mother and son headed to Shiroishi Castle, the stronghold of Katakura Kojuro. They successfully explored the keep, which is a rare, historically accurate wooden reconstruction in Japan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
15:00\uff5cReunited at Sendai Station & Heading Home<\/strong> I reunited with the two after they completed their itinerary, and we boarded the Shinkansen together to head home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Accommodation Info: Richmond Hotel Sendai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An ideal base for families, featuring a Royal Host restaurant on the first floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Family-Friendly Highlights:<\/strong> Packed with features kids love, including a complimentary traditional Japanese candy corner, board games, and a block-building wall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Stay Review:<\/strong> Because it’s a short walk from the station, the nights are incredibly quiet. While there is no public bathhouse, the spotless rooms and excellent hospitality ensured a highly comfortable stay for our family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
![\"Our](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250801_225158784-769x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"In](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250802_004124379-769x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Bust](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250802_024306838-769x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250802_084501769-1024x769.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Thick-cut](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250802_075400846-769x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Signboard](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250802_231327797-1024x769.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250803_003208905-769x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Refreshing](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250803_021301352-1024x769.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PXL_20250803_024919302-1024x769.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PXL_20250802_053919560-1-769x1024.jpg\")
\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t