Kesennuma Points of Interest
Here is a listing of various places in Kesennuma that can/will help anyone visiting or living here pass the time and improve the standard of living. Improvements on the standard of living may vary with mileage.
Izakaya/Bars
Pinpon (ぴんぽん) Grid 39 on map
Open when hungry and at night, +6pm-11pm?
One of the most popular local hangouts in the area. Relatively cheap food and drinks. Can get very crowded at times, especially on the weekends. Reservations are a good idea for groups during busy times, 0226-23-7007.
On a side note, just across the street from Pinpon is a bar called Ans. It’s a good place for a few more drinks and darts after Pinpon closes.
Jidaiya (時代屋) Grid 34 on map
Open when hungry and at night, +6pm?
Another popular spot. The Jidaiya salad and Yaki Hokke (a kind of grilled mackerel) are favorites. They also have a nice assortment of chuhi.
Toritomo (鳥とも) Grid 39 on map
Open 5pm-11pm
A place that specializes in chicken, namely yakitori (grilled chicken on sticks). Good chicken and reasonable prices.
Kaheiya (嘉平屋) Grid 55 on map
Open when hungry and at night, +6pm?
A small izakaya right next to Amii (karaoke). The menu contains various dishes from different Asian countries. Good food for a decent price.
Godai (ごだい) Grid 47 on map
Open everyday 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Many different kinds of side dishes and set meals to choose from. Prices are a little more expensive then other similar places.
Restaurants
Gokuu (悟空) ramen Grid 40 on map
Open when hungry and at night, +6pm?
One of the best ramen houses in Kesennuma. If you live in Kesennuma and don’t know about Gokuu you need to wakeup from your read & repeat induced coma. The house specialty is their Sendai miso ramen despite the fact that this isn’t Sendai.
Jyanjyan (ジャンジャン) Yakiniku Grid 55 on map
Open when hungry?
One of the two large yakiniku restaurants in Kesennuma. It’s fairly standard as far as yakiniku restaurants go. Popular for meat eating parties.
Yamanakaya (やまなか屋) Yakiniku Grid 62 on map
Open when hungry?
Another popular yakiniku spot. As with most yakiniku it’s a little expensive but they have good reimen (冷麺).
Kaika (かいか) Chinese Grid 37 on map
Open Fri-Wed 11am-12am
Closed Thursday
A small Chinese restaurant. Reasonable prices and portions. The Maaboudoufu (麻婆豆腐) set is a personal favorite.
Hacchin China (八珍チャイナ) Chinese Grid 61 on map
Open 11am-9pm
Closed Thursday
A larger Chinese restaurant, they have a bit bigger selection but also a little more expensive. Their menu has pictures for most of their dishes so it may be easier to order from here if you’re not confident in your Japanese-Chinese reading abilities. But it may still be difficult to know what you’re getting if you haven’t had Japanized Chinese food before.
Maguroya (まぐろ屋) Tuna Grid 50 on map
Open when hungry?
A restaurant specializing in tuna dishes and a fairly popular lunch spot. You can get different kinds of tuna done in different kinds of ways. Anything from raw minced to deep fried tuna can be had here.
Asahi Sushi (あさひ鮨) Sushi Grid 39 on map
Open when hungry?
A good quality sushi restaurant. Prices are a bit expensive but you can get some of the best sushi around.
Sushi Gourmet (すしグルメ) Sushi Grid 61 on map
Open 11am-9pm
A kaiten (回転) or conveyor belt sushi restaurant. The quality may not be the best but at least it’s cheap; with most things starting at 105yen (plus tax) a plate. Your visits may turn into contests to see who can stack more plates of semi-decent sushi by the end.
Kappa Sushi Grid 55 on map
A new sushi restaurant in 2007. Highly recommend
Restaurant Aceport (レストランエースポート) Italian Grid 40 on map
Lunch: 11:30am-2pm, Dinner: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Sunday/Holidays until 9pm
Found on the 3rd floor of Aceport, you can get to there by taking some stairs up in the NE corner of the building. It’s a somewhat small but quiet restaurant with a nice view of the port at night. The food is very good and prices are not too bad.
Marle Monte (マーレ・モンテ) Italian Grid 62 on map
Open Wed-Mon Lunch: 11:30am-2pm, Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm
Sat-Sun/Holidays Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm, Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm
Closed Tuesday
A very classy kind of restaurant. Food is very good and prices reasonable.
Coup de Feu (クードフー) Various Grid 54 on map
Open when hungry?
Closed Thursday
An interesting mix of French, Italian, and Brazilian food all in one place.
Yoshinoya (吉野屋) Fast food Grid 63 on map
Open 24hours/7days a week
A fast food chain that’s famous for its gyuu-don (牛丼) or beef bowl. But since Japan put limits on US beef imports due to BSE fears, gyuu-don has been replaced with buta-don (豚丼) or pork bowl. It still offers other beef items, like the gyuuyakiniku-don (牛焼肉丼), and is a good place for fast and cheap meat.
Mos Burger (モスバーガー) Fast food Grid 62 on map
Open when hungry?
A typical fast food restaurant. But better quality than McDonalds in the opinions of some. In case you were wondering, Mos stands for:
Mountain- Their care is as high and noble as the mountains.
Ocean- Their hearts are as deep and wide as the oceans.
Sun- Their passion burns as hot as the sun.
If that doesn’t inspire you to buy 10 burgers now, you are unworthy of the Mos.
Joyfull
Joyfull is across from the Shark Museum and Sakura Bowling, and is a good social and cheap restaurant where you can get meal sets, drink bar and western style foods. Its also pretty popular with the students!
Stores
Hamada Supermarket Grid 56 on map
Open everyday 9:30am-8:00pm
A fairly small supermarket but also the closest to the port if you live around there. Their meat seems to be of better quality than Jusco.
Jusco (ジャスコ) Supermarket/Dept. Store Grid 63 on map
Open everyday 10am-10pm
Arguably the largest store in Kesennuma. The first floor has a supermarket, GINZA Cozy Corner (cakes & sweets), Mister Doughnuts, and McDonalds. The second floor contains a department store, some family restaurants, and a 31 (Baskin-Robbins) Ice Cream. 31 Ice Cream is only open to 9pm just so you know.
Crea (クリエみうら) Supermarket Grid 69 on map
Open 9:30am-9pm
A medium sized supermarket. A good alternative to Jusco if you just want to avoid the crowds.
Maiya Supermarket Grid 78 on map
Open 9am-10pm
A fairly big supermarket. Good selection of vegetables. There’s a 100yen store attached but the selection is a bit limited.
Geo (ゲオ) Video Rental Grid 55 on map
Open 10am-1am
If you want to rent videos, DVDs, and music this is the place to be. It has the largest growing selection in town. Gaining membership is as easy as filling out a simple form. Just remember to bring your alien reg. card with you when you do. You may need a credit card or bank book as well so they can charge you should you have the irresistible urge to run off with their rentals.
Denkodo, now called KS (デンコードー) Electronics/Appliances Grid 62 on map
Open 10am-8pm
Closed days depend on month but usually on Wednesday.
The larger of the two electronics stores. First floor has appliances, cell phones, TVs, and stereos. The second floor has computers, digital cameras, video games, DVDs, and music.
Dengekisouko (電激倉庫) Electronics/Appliances Grid 78 on map
Open 10am-8pm
The other electronics store. Most electronics needs can be taken care of in Denkodo so not much is known on this side of the market.
Homac (ホーマック) Hardware/Home Improvement Grid 63 on map
Open 9am-9pm
The one stop spot for all your do-it-yourself needs. They have almost everything you could need for your humble dwelling short of actual furniture. Luckily, the suicide inducing theme song is no longer played on repeat at this store so you can enjoy your shopping without being drawn to the axe section every 3 mins.
Recreation
Sakura Bowl (さくらボウル) Bowling Grid 50 on map
Open when bored?
Still fairly new and one of the few fun spots around in Kesennuma, if you don’t mind bowling that is. The first floor has a game center and the second floor has the actual lanes. It’s not particularly cheap but they have discount deals now and then you can look out for.
Crayon (クレヨン) Karaoke Grid 56 on map
Open when bored?
A popular karaoke spot with one of the largest selections of English songs around. You can order food and drinks as well. This is one is called Italian Crayon due to the green, white, red motif and their menu contains a lot of Italiany food items. There is another Crayon across the street from the Hamada supermarket called Asian Crayon (though some say it looks more Aztec).
Amii (あみい) Karaoke Grid 55 on map
Open when bored?
Another large karaoke spot. Their selection of English songs isn’t as good as Crayon’s but it can be cheaper since you can bring your own food and drink here. And that thing near the face’s mouth is a mike in case you had other thoughts.
K-wave (ケー・ウェーブ) Gym/Budokan Grid 76 on map
Open 9am-9pm
Closed most Mondays but may change depending on the calendar.
A large facility costing the GDP of some smaller countries. The main building contains a large court area and a small weight/exercise machine room. A budokan for things like Judo and Kyudo are in an attached wing.
Rias Arc Art Museum (リアス・アーク美術館) Grid 76 on map
Open Wed-Sun 9:30am-5pm, last admittance at 4:30pm
Closed Mon-Tues/Holidays (except when on a Sat or Sun)
May also be closed on other days depending on the calendar.
Some consider this museum a white elephant and well… yeah. It rotates exhibits of mainly Japanese artists who may or may not be famous but most of us wouldn’t know anyway.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sightseeing in and around the Kesennuma area
Fish Market Umi no Ichi (Kesennuma City)
You can see a huge display of fresh fish and the fishermen hauling in their catch. You need to get up early though – be there by 6am, most of the action is over by 8am. Not open Sundays.
Shark Museum and Ice Aquarium (Kesennuma City)
Pet live sharks and see an array of sea creatures frozen into blocks of ice. Located in Kes city, next to the fish market “Umi no Ichi”. There is also a good and reasonably priced Maguro (tuna) Sashimi restaurant next door.
Tsunami Museum (Karakuwa)
This museum has an earthquake and tsunami simulator- fun fun!
Ogama (Karakuwa)
This large, phallic rock juts out of the middle of the ocean – cool to see, plus prime spot for Japanese tourist watching. Great hiking trail.
Isaribi Park (Karakuwa)
Drive up to the parking lot for a great view, and a pleasant restaurant and gift shop. Or keep climbing to get a truly spectacular view from the highest point on the Karakuwan peninsula.
Heisei Woods (Utatsu)
A lovely little park on top of a hill with sports fields, a restaurant, and a museum containing a huge fossilized fish that’s Utatsu Town’s pride. If you are interested in fossils, this is the mecca! The museum features fossils from all over the world.
Iwaisaki Blow Hole (Kesennuma City, Hashikami-Iwaisaki)
At the southern end of Kesennuma Bay you can explore coral reef fossils that are 200 million years old, and see the spectacular spout of a blowhole when the waves crash into the rock. Go on a windy day when the waves are high.
Chûsonji in Hiraizumi (Near Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture)
Chûsonji's main attraction is the Konjikido (Golden Hall), a temple hall which, like Kyoto's Kinkakuji, is completely covered in gold. Unlike Kinkakuji, Konjikido stands protected inside another hall. Other attractions are the Hondô (Main Hall), Kyozo (Sutra Repository), Sankoso (Treasure House) and a Nô theater stage. Great for Japanese souvenirs.
An amazing gorge where you can take a boat along the river while the boatman sings and you feed the jumping fish in the river. Also great for gifts and traditional Japanese paper.
Genbikei Gorge (Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture)
Along the mountain stream of the Iwai River there is a two-kilometer stretch of undulating rock layers, waterfalls and river rapids. The cherry trees blossom in spring, while in winter the landscape is dressed in pure white. It's a beautiful scene at any time of year. Another highlight of the gorge is kakko-dango, rice dumplings in a bamboo basket which are sent via rope from one side of the river gorge to another. Try to look nice and smile towards the other side when ringing the bell – sometimes, they send you over extra dumplings for free!
The Outdoors
Beaches
- Iwaisaki. Small pebble beach with good waves. Not for sunbathing.
- Ôya (Motoyoshi). Lovely bay beach. Smaller waves but great for beach games, bathing, swimming and BBQs.
- Koizumi (Motoyoshi). Big waves. Surfer’s hangout. Good for bathing, water fun and (midnight) BBQs.
- Odanohama (Oshima). Pretty and clean beach with white sand and cobalt blue water. If you go in July or September, you’ll have it for yourself! Great for collecting pretty seashells (especially abalone!) as fishermen dump them there after cutting the edible parts out to eat or sell them.
- Kugunari-hama or Ku-ku (9-9) (Oshima & Karakuwa). Beach with weird sand that makes a “wet shoes on linoleum” sound as you walk across it.
Mountains
- Mt. Amba, Kesennuma. Good viewpoint for Kesennuma, Oshima Island and the coastline.
- Mt. Kameyama, Oshima Island. Chairlift to the top, with great views of the island and Kesennuma.
- Mt. Kurikoma, Kurikoma. This mountain joins Miyagi, Iwate and Akita Prefectures. There are different routes from each side. Iwate/Akita side has an onsen and the summit provides great views of all Prefectures. This is also a prime spot for autumn “Koyo” (changing leaves) viewing.
- Mt. Iwate, near Morioka. A long climb. Iwate-san is an active volcano with a big crater to view at the top. Allow 4 hours to reach the summit.
- Mt. Tatsugane, Utatsu. Hiking trail, bike trail and road access. Great views of the Kesennuma area.
Biking
Utatsu has a Mountain Bike Club and a mountain bike course on Mt. Tastugane. The town hosts a bike race every year, usually the second Sunday in May.
Walking
There are excellent coastal walks along the Iwate coast with amazing views of the ocean, starting near Rikuzen Takata. Most of the coastal walks from Karakuwa to Shizugawa are either part of the Rikuchû Kaigan National Park or Minami Sanriku Pseudo-National Park.
Snowboarding and Skiing
The nearest slopes are in Iwate. Closest to Kesennuma (about 1 hour by car) is Koeji, a small local mountain. It features two parallel 1000m-slopes changing on the way downhill from advanced-intermediate to beginner level. Some people would call it a joke, but it’s incredibly cheap (\1000 for night skiing, \1600 for half a day, \2700 for one day, \15,000 for the whole season!), it’s surrounded by beautiful landscape, it never gets packed and there is basically no wind. The big parking lots are right next to the slopes. Nice and inexpensive cypress wood onsen on the way home.
Geto, Hachimantai and Appi are huge skiing areas with all kinds of slopes and many lifts. A bit pricy (around \4500 per day), but half day or night skiing tickets (4 hours) are affordable (around \2500).
Geto has the most amazing powder masses and you can go skiing until May. Night skiing is awesome as you get a great view over the skyline of the nearby city of Kitakami. There is also a popular onsen at the (fancy and brand-new) facility building and you get a discount when showing your used-up lift ticket.
Hachimantai and Appi are further up north, so you will probably have to stay over at one of the hotels or lodges there.
In Miyagi Prefecture is Mt. Zao with slopes in both Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. The Yamagata side is renowned as one of the best in Japan. On the Miyagi side Eboshi, near Shiroishi, is also good. Enjoy skiing through the snow monsters (little sap trees covered in masses of snow and thus looking like white ghosts) and eating delicious stone oven baked pizza at the Liza (Yamagata side) ski slopes.
During Summer Zao is also worth a visit to see Okama – the famous crater lake at its summit. The crater is particularly famous due to the fact that the lake water changes color throughout the season – going from emerald green to blue and shades in between.
Shopping
Jusco (Kesennuma City)
This is the biggest supermarket in the Kesennuma Area. It is the Mecca of Kesennuma City and has almost everything you need – food, clothes, home ware, electrical goods, stationery, books and music. It also has a McDonalds, Baskin Robbins, photo shop and (joy of joys!) a Mr. Doughnut! Beware of your students, though! They are everywhere (watching you)…
Maiya (on the left-hand side of Route 45 coming from the south)
This is not as big or as well-stocked as Jusco, but less busy and a bit cheaper. Besides groceries and the like it also has a great 100yen shop and a fabulous bakery. Be sure to try the curry doughnuts and the monthly specials!
Convenience stores (eg. Lawsons, 7-11, Family Mart, Sunkus)
These are usually open 24hours, and it is often cheaper to buy ready-meals here than the separate ingredients. Groceries in general are a little more expensive than in supermarkets, however. During winter keep an eye out for the little doughy balls they have in glass heated boxes on the counter. These are yummy and warming in the winter’s cold – particularly good is the “Pizza Man”. There are also “Niku Man” (meat) and “Curry Man”. Also, as Tohoku winters are long, you’ll have plenty of time to try the hot and delicious O-Den varieties sitting on the counters: veggies, noodles and fish or meat simmered in wonderful hot Japanese soup stock…
Local Shops
All towns will have their own small supermarkets or grocery stores. These may be a little more expensive but will have fresh products and different selections. Sometimes there will be special offers and some foods are marked down at the end of the day. In fact most supermarkets will mark down fresh food every day after a certain time (e.g. 7pm).
If you go to the small local fruit and vegetable stores, you’ll get more local and seasonal products that are definitely cheaper and fresher than those in the bigger supermarkets.
Markets
For great seafood in Kesennuma, try out the fish market underneath the Shark Museum. There is also a fish market below the Hotel Plaza Kesennuma which usually has nice smoked salmon. Shizugawa also has a daily fish market, early in the morning.
Restaurants and Food
There are many good restaurants in Kesennuma and in the surrounding towns. Here’s a guide to the type of food and restaurants on offer.
Ramen
This is a soup with noodles. The two main soups are Miso and Shôyu (soy sauce). Sometimes there is also the Shio (salt) variety which is more “Western” in flavor. There are many different types of ramen and often specific areas have their own area specialty (for example, Sapporo in Hokkaido is famous for crab ramen). Other varieties can include such ingredients as butter, corn, meat (niku), egg (tamago) and seaweed (nori). Châshû-men (Ramen with slices of pork roast) and Piri-kara-miso-Ramen (with spicy chili miso soup) are the most popular choices.
Udon/Soba
These are 2 different types of noodles usually served in the same shop. Udon is a thick flour noodle which resembles big garden worms. Soba is a buckwheat noodle and much thinner, more like spaghetti. They can be served cold or hot. Zaru Soba, is a dish of cold noodles that come with a special dipping sauce, and is a popular choice in summer. Ten Zaru is the cold noodles, sauce plus a selection of shrimp and vegetable tempura (yummy!). There are a number of restaurants near the fish market in Kesennuma which serve Udon and Soba.
Tempura
Vegetables, fish and shrimps covered in batter and breadcrumbs, deep-fried and usually served with rice. Tempura is kind of the Japanese form of “fast food” – a bit fattening, but DELICIOUS!
Sashimi and Sushi
Sashimi is raw fish on its own. Sushi is raw fish on or wrapped in rice seasoned with vinegar, salt and sugar. Dip in soy sauce or wasabi – a very hot, green and spicy raddish paste. Kesennuma is renowned for it’s excellent seafood and thus the sashimi and sushi here is reputedly soe of the best in Miyagi. The Tuna (maguro) sashimi is particularly good. The local specialties for which Kesennuma is known for in all of Japan are katsuo (bonito), sanma and saba (kinds of mackerel) and kaki (oyster). Yummy…
Izakaya
An Izakaya is the traditional Japanese drinking and eating restaurant. Usually they have red lanterns hanging outside. They have many dishes to choose from and are usually pretty relaxed places. Be careful if you just want a cheap drink though – most Izakaya’s come with standard “table charges” and a selection of Japanese style snacks (usually unappetizing) which you will have to pay for even if you don’t eat them – can lead to some shocks when you finally see the bill! Ping Pong and Jidaiya (downtown near Aceport) are the most popular Izakayas in Kes and not expensive at all. They have a huge selection of Japanese and Western dishes and snacks.
Yaki-niku.
This is Korean BBQ style food. Choose your selection of meat and cook it yourself at your table (each table comes complete with its own little grill) – it’s like having your own little BBQ inside – worth a try! Also good for vegetarians, as Yaki-niku places have vegetable plates (with pumpkin, green peppers, carrots and onions) and Rêmen (cold Korean style chewy noodles with Kim-chi soup – delicious!).
Yaki-tori
The Japanese version of kebab. Traditionally chicken and veggies, but also beef and sausage and a variety of other flavors available. Usually delicious, but with chicken ones, beware of the cartilage (nankotsu), gross!
Gyûtan
Grilled or fried cow tongue. Chewy and definitely not to everyone’s taste, but lean – you’ll usually encounter it at yakiniku restaurants.
And especially for the Kesennuma-ites:
Hoya: Otherwise known as “sea pineapple” is a specialty of Kesennuma and a favorite with the locals. It’s usually reddish orange or purpley in color and looks like a prickly pineapple, although it’s apparently some form of animal! For those of you who are curious, give it a taste, otherwise avoid – it’s nasty (salty and bitter) and even Japanese people refuse to go near it! Do as the Japanese do: give it a try, and rinse with a jug of beer!
Fukahire: Another specialty of Kesennuma – “Shark fin soup”. The texture is apparently Jelly-like, but the taste (at least according to Japanese people) is delicious. Personally, I thought it didn’t taste like anything at all. Although I hear that when they catch the sharks they cut off their fins and then discard the rest of the body – a real waste! But it’s a good cultural delicacy to try (once).
Getting Around Japan
Cars
Small cars have yellow plates and are cheaper to run. Larger cars have white plates. If you want to drive, then you will need an International Driving License valid for one year from your date of entry. If you plan to buy a car you will also need a hanko certificate, insurance and tax. Japanese shaken (road-worthiness certificate) has to be updated every two years and can be very expensive. Thus it is often better to find a second-hand car with it’s shaken already covered. If you are staying for only one year and can find a good deal (\20,000 or less a month) renting a car may be a better option (especially as maintenance and insurance are often included).
In winter, it is mandatory that you change to snow tires.
Road tolls can be expensive so try car sharing to make it more economical. For a full tank of petrol, say ‘Mantan onegai shimasu’ or tell them the amount of yen you wish to spend.
JR Trains
The Kesennuma line service only provides a train every couple of hours. The last train from Sendai leaves at 6pm. The journey from Sendai to Kesennuma is three hours and one needs to change at Kogota on all normal trains. But there is a direct express train twice a day that will save you half an hour (8:13am and 3.55pm from Kes to Sendai and 17:55 back from Sendai to Kes).
The Ofunatô Line takes you from Kes to Ichinoseki in about 1hr 20min.
An excellent website for the train schedule is at:
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
Shinkansen
These high speed long-distance trains are great for getting around Japan. The nearest stations are Ichinoseki, Kurikoma, Furukawa and Sendai. Fast trains from Sendai to Tokyo take about 2hrs and regular Shinkansen trains from Ichinoseki to Tokyo take around 3hrs. Tickets are about \10,000 (one way) and if you book in advance, you’re guaranteed a seat. You can also buy unreserved tickets on the day you wish to leave, but then there is no guarantee of getting a seat if the train is busy (but this doesn’t happen too often on the Tohoku line). When buying a Shinkansen ticket in advance you will need to tell them the date, destination and preferred time you want the ticket for as well as whether you want a smoking or nonsmoking section. They will then issue you with TWO tickets for each leg of the journey (e.g. 2 for the onward journey, 2 for the return). One is for the actual Shinkansen – it’ll have the time and your seat number on it- and the other is for the area you will be traveling through (e.g. Sendai area to Tokyo area). When you go through the turnstiles you will need to put both tickets through at the same time. You can get great deals from travel agents including hotels etc... Look up the JR East websites for special deals (ladies’ day, short distance, weekend trips, …).
Buses
There is a bus from Kesennuma to Sendai operated by Miyagi Kôtsû and Iwate Kôtsû. It leaves from Annaisho – the covered bus stop near the port – and in front of the B.O.E. The fare is \1800 (\5000 if you buy a set of three tickets, valid any time) and it takes 2hrs 20 mins. This is a very comfortable way to get to Sendai, and you will be dropped off near Sendai station. The last bus home is at 6pm.
Long Distance Coaches
There are coaches to most major cities in Japan and they often work out cheaper than the Shinkansen if you have the time to spare. If you’re going on holiday and your flight from Narita International Airport is in the morning, you can take a special direct overnight sleeper bus which leaves from Ishinomaki at 9pm and Sendai at 11pm. Tickets are cheaper, especially if you buy a return. You arrive at Narita Airport around 6am. It also saves the hassle of having to lug bags on the train to Sendai, then on the Shink to Tokyo station and THEN on the Narita Express (fast speed train to Narita airport) to get to the airport! The bus is a GOOD option when you have a TON of luggage!
There are also buses from Sendai to Tokyo (downtown) during the daytime and they are convenient to book over the internet (credit card or combini payment):
Sakura Kankô http://www.sakura-tour.jp/tokyocityliner/sendai.html (\3000) and
Business Travel http://www.businesstravel.co.jp/ (\3300).
It will take you about 5-6 hours to get down to Tokyo, but if you get off at Shinjuku, the bus will drop you off right in front of the Keio Plaza Hotel (great for re-contracting conference e.g.).
You can also get a coach from Sendai to Kyoto (12 hours) which costs around \10,000.
Local buses
Local buses are expensive and infrequent, but easy to use. Get on at the door half-way down the bus and take a ticket from the machine This indicates where you got on. Match the number on it with the screen at the front of the bus to find out your fare when you get off. Throw the ticket together with the exact amount of money into the machine. There is a coin changer attached to it so don’t panic if you don’t have the exact change with you.
Sendai subway
The subway is a good way to get around if you’re off to Izumi (where you’ll find the Reentry permit office and the driver’s licensing centre), Nagamachi Mall (good shopping and movies – get off at Minami Nagamachi stop) or just for sightseeing. See your Jet Diary for maps – super easy to use – one line, North to South.
Taxis
There are a lot of taxis in Kesennuma so it is easy to flag one down. There is also a taxi service which will take both you and your car home if you’ve been drinking (just ask for “Daikô”). Taxis in the smaller towns will congregate at the stations and the Pachinko gambling halls or you may need to call for one.
e.g.:
Red Taxis (Kesennuma) Phone 0226 22 6000
Minato Taxi (Kesennuma) Phone 0226 22 3388
AOBA Taxi (Kesennuma - you and car) Phone 0226 23 7506
Koizumi Taxis (Motoyoshi) Phone 0226 42 2214
Flights
Domestic and international flights in Japan are expensive, especially during peak season. However, there are a lot of deals on offer through travel agents and websites. Also, if it is your birthday, you can fly anywhere in Japan with JAL for \10,000 (single) and take 3 friends who get the same price. You can go approx. 1 week either side of the date of your birthday. Book at least 21 days ahead of time.
Some good websites are:
http://www.air1travel.com/ Phone 03 5919 0199
http://www.travel-hero.co.jp/ Phone 03 3555 5888
http://www.hittravel.co.jp/ Phone 03 3473 9040
http://www.airnetjapan.com/ Phone 03 5456 5677
http://www.jas.co.jp/eng/index.htm Phone 03 5457 5566
http://www.jal.com/en Phone 0120 25 5971 (Dom.)
0120 25 5931 (Int.)
There will be an English speaker at most offices so just say ‘Eigo o hanashimasu ka?’
Also check the Daily Yomiuri for travel discount price updates.
NB. When you travel abroad, you MUST get a re-entry permit before you leave or you will not be allowed back in again on your return. There is an office in Sendai, and possibly Ôfunatô. You must purchase a special stamp from the post-office (3000 for one time re-entry and 6000 for multiple re-entries for as long as your visa) then take this and your passport to the office and fill out the form. The ALT advisors at the Kenchô will probably send out more detailed information as holiday times approach.
Foreign Food
There are a few good foreign food shops in Miyagi, for those times when sushi is just not satisfying the taste buds anymore.
Jupiter (Sendai)
In the basement of Sendai station - as you come out of the turnstiles turn right and after a little walk you will see stairs on your left – go down these and turn left – you can’t miss it! (For future reference there is also a post office and Starbucks nearby). This shop sells foreign foods, drinks, cheese, confectionary and alcohol. It’s expensive but worth it if you want a piece of home.
Meijiya (Sendai)
This one is slightly more difficult to find – walk down Clis road to the end, turn left down the Sunmall, when you get to the end, cross the road and turn left – it’ll be on your right.
Another great foreign food shop with lots of fresh fruit and veggies, a deli and bakery. Shopped too much yummy stuff? Have it sent home by delivery service for only \400! Very handy…
Yamaya
Many of the bigger towns in Miyagi (except Kesennuma!) have a Yamaya Store – they stock mainly foreign alcohol, but also have a few rows of foreign snack foods and sometimes a fridge with decent cheese (a rarity in this country!) and other dairy products. This is THE place to shop if you’re having a party. The nearest to us are in Hasama and Ishinomaki.
Foreign Food Online
If you’re still lacking that special something, try mail-order.
http://www.alishan-organic-center.com/ TENGU natural foods. Great selection of organic foods and products from around the world! Well organized and convenient payment methods.
http://www.halohalo.net/ Asian food items.
http://www.fbcusa.com/ Foreign Buyers Club. Has an American section and a British section.
http://www.theflyingpig.com/ Costco products. Cheap prices on items such as hotdog buns, bagels etc.
http://baharu.com/ Turkish store that has Halaal meat and lamb, teas, sweets, olives and feta cheese among other things.
http://baticrom.com/ Ethnic foods including spices, rice, legumes and lamb.
Cinemas
Rikuzen Takata (Iwate Prefecture)
35 mins drive from Kesennuma. This cinema is small, a bit dirty and contains a loud generator which can disrupt viewing.
Ishinomaki.
Approx. 1 hr 20 mins drive from Kesennuma. This is a great Warner Bros. multiplex with the latest films, situated on the top floor of Sakurano department store. There is also discounted parking (show the ticket lady your parking stub when you buy your movie tickets). For listings and times, go to the website, click on the Tohoku part of Japan (North-East) and then select the kanji for Ishinomaki 石巻 http://www.warnermycal.com/
Wednesday nights are ladies nights (\500 off) and if you go to the late show (9pm or 10pm) or on the first day of the month, ticket prices are also cheaper.
Sendai Nagamachi Mall.
Just south of Sendai on the subway (Minami Nagamachi Subway stop) or expressway is Nagamachi Mall – a shopping complex with a few western shops and a cinema. Here, there are also multiple screens and the latest films. For listings go to http://www.movies.yahoo.co.jp/ click on the film you want to see and select the kanji for Miyagi 宮城 Then select the Movix Sendai cinema to see the times. Alternatively, give them a call on 0223-04-3700.
There are also numerous smaller cinemas around the centre of Sendai.
Furukawa
Cinema Rione in downtown Furukawa (near the station). Brand-new shopping and cinema complex. Regular prices are \1800, but there are cheaper deals (men’s night, ladies’ night, first day of the month special, etc.). Check it out at http://www.cinema-rione.jp/
Video Rental
Geo (Kesennuma City).
Geo has the latest DVDs, videos, music and computer games as well as some older stuff. The Japanese DVDs usually have an English Subtitles option so you can enjoy the best of Asian films too. Take your Alien Registration Card to join. Be careful when renting videos – if a video has a red kanji sticker (日本語吹き替え版 nihongo fukikae ban) on it’s spine, it has been dubbed into Japanese (nothing worse than getting home popping in your video and then discovering that it’s in Japanese!) – those without stickers are in their original language with Japanese subtitles. Japanese movies with English subtitles have a 英語字幕 (eigo jimaku) remark on the back.
Tsutaya
The ultimate in video and DVD rental, this chain is in big cities only- look out for the distinctive blue and yellow sign.
Books
There are two foreign book shops in Sendai – Maruzen and Kinokuniya. Maruzen is situated on the ground floor of the AER building to the right of the station as you come out. Here you will find both fiction and non-fiction books, Japanese textbooks, travel guides, postcards, newspapers and magazines – my favorite shop in Sendai! Kinokuniya is on the 6th and 7th floor of E-Beans – a store opposite the station and to the left as you come out. HMV and Tower Records also stock a few western magazines at a cheaper price.
Alternatively ask someone to help you create an account on http://www.amazon.co.jp/ You can usually get anything you would find on Amazon at home for the same price or sometimes a bit cheaper. Also, amazon.co.jp now offers home appliances, electronic and lifestyle/decoration stuff for your apartment. They also offer a pay on delivery system for 250yen which eliminates the use of credit cards. Simply pay the delivery man who can deliver until 7pm.
Newspapers
The two main daily English language newspapers in Japan are
The Japan Times http://www.japantimes.co.jp/
The Daily Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp/index-e.htm
And another good one is the Mainichi Daily News http://mdn.mainichi.jp/
They combine local and international news and both can be delivered to your home although the Japan Times always seems to be a day behind with its news. They both have online versions and subscriptions are also arranged online.
If you want a weekly newspaper, the most popular choice is:
The Guardian Weekly www.guardian.co.uk/guardianweekly
This is a UK newspaper combined with The Washington Post and Le Monde with a round-up of world events. This paper also has an online version and online subscriptions.
For more details on the publications available to you, see your Resource Materials and Teaching Handbook.
Clothes
Uniqlo in the AER Building in Sendai (other stores in Sanuma and Ichinoseki) is great for cheap basics (and funny Engrish t-shirts) and Muji in the Loft store has plain clothes and the occasional larger size. Next, a British clothes store, has normal British sizing and is situated in Nagamachi Mall. It can be quite expensive, however. Both Sendai and Nagamachi have branches of Eddie Bauer. For Japanese frilly stuff, check out the sections at JUSCO and Shimamura (Kesennuma, near Daily Port Supermarket), but… Beware of your students! In Kesennuma there is also a Americaya and a couple of other jeans/casual wear shops which are quite nice.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones or Keitai, as they are known here, are easy and relatively cheap to get hold of and as a result virtually everyone has one. Check with your locals about which company has the best reception – the Kesennuma area can be a little erratic. The main companies are
J-phone (now Vodafone)
Docomo
AU
English Circles
The Little Embassy
There is a Little Embassy in Kesennuma, based in the municipal office across from the 1-10 Building (BOE). They hold events throughout the year including sports festivals, karaoke, international food festivals etc. They will ALWAYS want you to be involved so have your excuses handy if you don’t want to help out. They won’t be offended and will be satisfied if you only go to a few events. They’re nice people and if you have any problems, they’ll go out of their way to help. They can help with booking tickets, phoning places in Japan for you, train times etc…
Toast Masters
Held once a week in Kesennuma, this is an organization for Japanese people who want to write speeches and lectures in English. They are keen for English speakers to attend.
In and Around Sendai 仙台
Events and Sightseeing.
Tanabata Festival (Aug)
The summer festival of Sendai with huge paper decorations suspended from poles in Clis Road, Ichibanchô and Sun Mall; plus processions and fireworks. Marks the meeting of Vega and Alta.
Sendai Jazz Festival (Sept)
A weekend of Jazz and live music in the parks and bars of the city. Great atmosphere with food stands and beer tents – head towards Jôzenjidôri.
Pageant of Lights (Dec)
The trees in Jôzenjidôri Avenue are lit with thousands of fairy lights.
Sendai Museum of Art
Has different guest artists and a main display of Japanese artists work. Get there on the Sendai Loople Bus.
Vegalta Sendai
The local J-League Soccer team who usually play in the Izumi Stadium. Games have a fantastic atmosphere with choreographed cheering, flags and songs. Tickets can be bought at selected convenience stores or online at http://www.pia.co.jp/ and picked up at Family Mart.
Rakuten Eagles
The Japanese Baseball team that plays out of Fullcast Stadium. Alas, they are an expansion team, so aren’t very good, but o out and cheer for them anyway and enjoy a night at the ballpark. Miyaginohara on the Senseki Line is the closest train station, and again, convenience stores or Pia for tickets.
Sendai 89ers
A basketball league has started up in Japan with the unfortunate name of the BJ League. They are playing at the Sendai City Gymnasium near Tomizawa station in south Sendai.
The Goddess of Mercy
A huge statue of the goddess of Mercy in the Sendai suburbs. Get a lift to the top and see the 108 Buddhas on the way down. Great views of the area
Matsushima
Take the Senseki Line or a ferry from Shiogama to this tourist spot north of the city. A bay with lots of tiny little islands and shrines, Matsushima is allegedly one of the 3 most beautiful places in Japan. Plus the old shrine Zuiganji is apparently one of the best in Tohoku and as far as I am concerned, is the best thing about Matsushima – it’s a magical place to visit!
Yamadera (Yamagata Prefecture)
About an hour by train out of Sendai to the south-west, this is a temple complex on a mountainside with over 1000 steps. Fantastic views from the top and many beautiful temples.
