【仙台•松島旅】日本屈指のグルメ都市と日本三景松島をとことん満喫♪仙台で絶対行くべきグルメと松島の観光スポットを紹介！

Hop on a sightseeing boat for a 50-minute cruise around Matsushima Bay, one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Spots. You'll see 260 islands of various shapes floating in the calm waters. I recommend booking online for a 1% discount, but you can also buy tickets at the pier. I managed to get a good spot on the first floor, even though the second floor 'green seats' cost an extra ¥600. The scenery is truly breathtaking, with the islands creating a unique and unforgettable landscape. It's a view that has captivated many, including historical figures like Date Masamune and Matsuo Basho, and even Albert Einstein.

After exploring Godaido, head to Genzou, a shop right by the entrance, to try their famous grilled oysters. They're served fresh off the grill, one for ¥250 or two for ¥500. Just add a splash of ponzu and savor the natural flavor. Even though I was alone, they gave me two sets of chopsticks, which was a nice touch. The oysters are surprisingly large and incredibly delicious. If you're a big oyster fan, there are also all-you-can-eat oyster restaurants nearby.

For dinner, I met up with a senior colleague at Kura no Sho, an izakaya known for its seasonal Miyagi ingredients. We specifically came to try 'serinabe' (Japanese parsley hot pot), which I hadn't had before. The menu also features a variety of other dishes, including a grand sashimi platter, grilled items from the irori (hearth), and unique appetizers. We started with a delicious seasonal vegetable tempura, including a giant carrot tempura that was surprisingly sweet. The sashimi platter, featuring local Miyagi tuna, was also excellent. The serinabe was the highlight: you add chicken, then the roots of the seri (Japanese parsley) first for a crunchy texture, followed by the stems and leaves, quickly blanching them. The unique aroma of seri might not be for everyone, but I loved it, especially with the refreshing broth. We also enjoyed some irori-grilled fish, which was perfectly fatty and flavorful. The quality of izakayas in Sendai is truly impressive.

For breakfast, I visited Evian, a famous long-standing coffee shop in Sendai. They offer a variety of morning sets until 11 AM. I was surprised to find an Ogura Toast set, usually a Nagoya specialty, and had to try it. The toast was perfectly crispy, topped with Hokkaido red bean paste and whipped cream, a delightful combination. The coffee, brewed with a siphon, was also excellent and showed great attention to detail.

On my way back to Sendai, I made a detour to Shiogama, a town known for having the highest number of sushi restaurants per capita in Japan, thanks to its excellent fishing port. My friend who lived in Sendai highly recommended Kaisen Sushi Shiogama Port, calling it one of Japan's best conveyor belt sushi places. I arrived right at 11 AM opening and got a seat immediately, but a line quickly formed. The menu is extensive and incredibly cost-effective. They even gave me a complimentary negitoro sushi! The raw tuna was huge for ¥150, and the chutoro, local Shiogama mackerel, and flounder were all exceptional. The salmon, also ¥150, was amazing. Every piece was fresh, flavorful, and truly top-class.

Since Murakamiya was closed, I returned to Zunda Saryo at Sendai Station to finally try their Zunda Mochi Set, which I couldn't have on my first visit. It was my first time trying zunda mochi, and I was impressed by the combination of the lumpy and smooth zunda paste with the soft mochi. It was delicious! However, I personally preferred the Zunda Shake and other zunda sweets at this shop, as they had a more subtle sweetness and a delicate zunda aroma.