WELCOME TO SHIOGAMA

Shiogama is a city of around 62,000 people, situated on the Pacific Coast of Japan. It's about two hours north of Tokyo, and about twenty minutes from Sendai, the largest city of the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Historically, Shiogama has been famous as a port city, and accordingly its main industries are fishing and shipbuilding. The city also boasts a number of other features of note; Shiogama Jinja, a shrine which is one of the oldest in Tohoku, the Marine Gate complex by the harbour, the rural, unspoilt Urato Island chain, and the city's spectacular fish market. In addition, the city is right next to the islands of Matsushima, traditionally regarded as one of the sankei, or three finest views in Japan. Tourist boats depart from the harbour to tour the islands and inlets in the bay, so Shiogama also makes a fine departure point to view Matsushima.

Shiogama's name comes from an ancient salt making ritual that is still performed each year at Shiogama's Okama Shrine. "Shio" refers to the salt and "gama" refers to the cauldron used to make the salt.

There are a number of festivals held in the city connected with Shiogama Jinja such as the Minato Matsuri or Port Festival, held in late July-early August, and the Hote Matsuri held in March.

You can view photos of the Hote Matsuri, intended to ward off fire, here (external site). The photos were taken by Mr. Alfred Lohr, who visited the city in 2005 and was kind enough to allow us to link to the pictures he took. NB Shiogama City is not responsible for the content of external sites.

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ACCESS TO SHIOGAMA

Shiogama City is located in Miyagi Prefecture, which is north of Tokyo and on the Eastern coast of Honshu.

By train
From Tokyo station, take the bullet train (shinkansen) to Sendai Station (approximately a two hour ride).
From Sendai Station, take either the Tohoku line to Shiogama Station (approximately 16 minutes) or the Senseki line to Hon-Shiogama Station (approximately 25 minutes).*

*Check in advance for the closest station to the location you are trying to reach. There are four train stations within Shiogama: Nishi-Shiogama, Hon-Shiogama, and Higashi-Shiogama on the Senseki line, and Shiogama Station on the Tohoku line.

By car
From the Tohoku Expressway, take the Izumi Interchange. It takes approximately 30 minutes.

From Sendai, take Route 45 (approximately 30 minutes).