Founded by the fearsome feudal lord Date Masamune, the city of Sendai is peppered with monuments to this Edo-period ruler, including his vividly hued final resting place, the ornate Zuihoden Mausoleum. Marvelous temples and shrines abound, including picture-perfect Rinno-ji Temple, which is surrounded by serene Japanese gardens. Savor one of the region’s specialties, hiyashi chuka, a refreshingly cool ramen dish that is perfect for warm days, and then stroll among the shapely zelkova trees of Jozenji-dori Avenue, a delightful reminder that Sendai is nicknamed the City of Trees. Towering above all is the Daikannon Statue, a representation of the Goddess of Mercy and one of the world’s tallest effigies.
