About Shiogama
a city that has grown alongside the sea
Shiogama is located in northern Japan (Tohoku) in Miyagi prefecture (see
map).Shiogama, roughly in the middle of the prefecture, sits between the
cosmopolitan city of Sendai and Matsushima Bay, oneof the three most famed
views in Japan.
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Shiogama has prospered as the home of the Tohoku area’s Shiogama Shrine
and as a harbour city. Shiogama served as
an unloading port forthe provincial Tohoku
government (Mutsunokuni) and as a port for
the Date clan during the Edo period (1603
〜1867). Shiogama was a prominent national
harbour city
from the Meji period (1868〜1912) on and
has more recently developed as a fisheries
base (for fishing in both near-by and far
waters .）
Shiogama is recognized as the largest unloading
point for fresh tuna in Japan,as well as
a city with abundant fresh seafood.
The City has the most sushi restaurants per
square kilometer in Japan . The fisheries
industry is strong and Shiogama leads Japan
in the production of kamaboko, or kneaded
fish cakes, as well as other processed fish
products.
Shiogama is one of the doorways to tourism
in the famed Matsuhima Bay.
In the“Narrow Roads to the Deep North",
the poet, Matsuo Basho, describes traveling
from Shiogama to Matsushima by boat. What
is not so well known, however, is thefact
that over half of the“808 Matsushima Islands"
are actuallyin Shiogama. Inparticular, the
inhabited Urato Islands attract many visitors
who enjoy sunbathing, marine-sports, clamming,
fishing, and rape-blossom viewing.
Population 62,844 Households 21,113 (Last updated on April 1st,1999)
Area 17.79 km2
Major Industries: products related to the
fisheries industry, processed fish
products
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Access |
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By car: from the Tohoku Highway: 
Heading North
Take the Izumi Interchange. It takes about
30
minutes to reach Shiogama after you have
exited.
Heading South
Take the Taiwa Interchange. It takes approximately
35 minutes
to reach Shiogama after you have exited.
By train: from Tokyo.
Take the bullet train (shinkansen) to Sendai
Station.
It takes approximately 2 hours. Once in Sendai
transfer to the Tohoku line or the Senseki
line.
On the Senseki line get off at Honshiogama Station.
This station is the most convenient for sightseeing.
The trip takes approximately 25 minutes from
Sendai station.
On the Tohoku line get off at Shiogama Station.
The trip takes approximately 16 minutes.
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Where did Shiogama’s name come from? |
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In ancient times a god named Shiotsuchi no oji no kami, is said to have
cometo Shiogama and to have taught the people how to make salt. Shiogama,
meaningsalt caldron, derived its name from this legend.
Today, the ancient salt makingritual is still performed every July at the Okama Shrine in Shiogama.
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Shiogama, a place famed in poetry.
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In the past, the Shiogama inlet was a far
away place that many people from the city
(Kyoto area) dreamed about.
City people, who had not even seen the inlet、expressed
such feelings in Utamakura’s, or songs.
Kokinshu #1088 Anon. In Michinoku province
Everywhere is sorrow-
But especially
here in the bay of Shiogama
When I see the
boats pull away
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Shiogama Characteristics:
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・Important harbour: commercial port, specified
fishing port, tourist bay.
・Unloads the most fresh tuna in Japan.
・Leads Japan in the production of Kamaboko,
kneaded fish cakes, and other processed
fish products.
・Most sushi restaurants per square kilometer
in Japan.
・Highest population density in Tohoku (northern
Japan).
・First railway in Tohoku (A freight line
that connected the Matsushima bay area
and Sendai).
・First golf course in Tohoku (9 hole course
built in the Taisho period, 1912 〜 1926).
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Place to see: |
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Specialities
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・Kamaboko (kneaded fish cakes)
・local sake brews
・seaweed, oysters
・“Shiogama” (Traditional Japanese snack
made with salt, sugar and perilla)
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Shiogama's seasonal diary: |
 SHIOGAMA CITY HALL General Affairs Division Policy Section |
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ADRESS |
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〒985‐8501
1-1Asahityo,Shiogama,Miyagi,Japan |
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TEL |
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022-364-1111 |
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FAX |
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022-367-3124 |
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MAIL |
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seisaku@city.shiogama.miyagi.jp |
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