Shiogama

What to know

Shiogama (塩竈 or 塩釜) is a port town in Miyagi Prefecture, nestled between Sendai and Matsushima. The city supports a large fishing industry, and a significant portion of Japan's tuna and swordfish catch is processed along Shiogama's waterfronts. Its vibrant fish markets, such as the publicly accessible Shiogama Fish Market, supply fresh seafood to nearby Sendai, Tokyo, and beyond. 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 city derives its name ("salt furnace") from an ancient method of harvesting salt by boiling seawater in large kettles. This ritual is still performed every July at Shiogama Shrine, an important shrine at the center of town. The shrine is also a popular cherry blossom spot with a large variety of cherry tree varieties.

Shiogama is often combined with a visit to nearby Matsushima, as the two cities are connected by popular sightseeing cruises across Matsushima Bay. A common route is to take the JR Senseki Line from Sendai to Shiogama, then the cruise boat to Matsushima, before returning to Sendai, or the other way around.

Take one of the frequent local or rapid trains along the JR Senseki Line from Sendai to Hon-Shiogama Station. The one-way trip takes about 25 minutes and costs 350 yen.

Sightseeing cruises operate between Matsushima Pier and Marine Gate Shiogama, a ten-minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station. The one-way cruise costs 1500 yen and takes about 50 minutes. There are hourly departures in either direction by multiple companies.

Alternatively, take the JR Senseki Line between Hon-Shiogama and Matsushima Kaigan Stations. The one-way trip takes about ten minutes and costs 210 yen. There are two departures per hour.