Experience the best of Sendai

Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, was founded in 1601 by the samurai lord Date Masamune, and is known as the City of Trees for the zelkova-lined avenues of Jozenji-dori and Aoba-dori. The ruins of Aoba Castle on a hill above the river have a mounted statue of Masamune and a view over the city, and his mausoleum, Zuihoden, stands among cedars on another hill, its halls in ornate gold and black lacquer.

In early August the Tanabata festival hangs huge paper streamers along the shopping arcades. North-east of the city, the pine-covered islets of Matsushima Bay are counted among Japan's three most scenic views. Inland, hot-spring valleys such as Akiu and Sakunami and the mountain temple of Yamadera, in neighbouring Yamagata, are within reach, and the crater lake of Zao lies on the prefecture border.

Grilled beef tongue, gyutan, served with barley rice and oxtail soup, is the city's signature meal, with zunda mochi, rice cake topped with sweet mashed edamame, for dessert. Oysters from the bay and local sake round out the table. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold with less snow than on the Japan Sea side, and autumn leaves colour the hills.