宮城県

Japanese Prefectures: Tohoku - Miyagi

都道府県 (とどうふけん) - Prefectures of Japan

Learning the kanji and a little bit about each of Japan’s 47 prefectures!

Kanji・漢字

宮　みや、キュウ、グウ　Shinto shrine, palace; princess; constellations

城　しろ、ジョウ　castle

県　ケン　prefecture

東北　とうほく　north-east, Tōhoku (northernmost six prefectures of Honshu)

Prefectural Capital (県庁所在地) : Sendai (仙台市)

Miyagi prefecture, like its neighboring Tohoku prefectures, is known for its natural beauty - beautiful coastlines and stunning wilderness. Miyagi is also known for its specialized cuisine, particularly seafood, including fresh sashimi. Sendai is the capital of the prefecture and was founded by the legendary samurai Date Masamune, who was an outstanding Edo-era tactician known as the "one-eyed dragon" for the eye patch covering his missing eye. The Shiroishi ("white stones") castle that was controlled by the retainers of Date Masamune has been fully reconstructed and hosts an annual samurai festival on the first week of October. You can even dress up as a samurai at the Date Masamune Cultural Museum as you walk through and learn more about the famous samurai.

Recommended Tourist Spot・おすすめ観光スポット

Zao Fox Village - Miyagi Zao Kitsune Mura - 宮城蔵王キツネ村

Photo from JapanTravel Up close and personal with foxes? Yes, please! This unique tourist attraction is located in the Zao mountains bordering Yamagata Prefecture (about 2 hours south of Sendai) and hosts a village of free-roaming foxes. In addition to foxes, other animals on the premises include rabbits, goats and miniature horses. There are feeding areas, petting zoos, and a large open area for the foxes with paths, small houses, and a shrine. The foxes are curious and will follow visitors, but since they are semi-wild petting is not allowed. A video of the experience from Rachel and Jun's YouTube Channel.

Regional Cuisine - 郷土料理 Oysters - 牡蠣料理

Photo from unsplash

Oysters fresh from the sea, especially from Matsushima, are a delicacy in Miyagi prefecture. They are only available between October in March, and there is an Oyster Festival in February. There are all-you-can-eat oyster restaurants and the fresh raw oysters are well-renowned, but there are also kaki furai (fried oysters) and kaki don (oyster rice bowl) options.

Miyagi Dialect・Miyagi-ken no Hougen・宮城県の方言

いきなりがおる (ikinari gaoru)

Standard Japanese: とても疲れる (totemo tsukareru) English: to be very tired

好ち (suchi)

Standard Japanese: 好き (suki) English: like

～てけろ (～te kero)

Standard Japanese: ～てください (～te kudasai) English: please (do) ～

Example Sentence - ～てけろ

Miyagi Dialect: ここさゴミ置かねぇでなげてけろ。 Koko sa gomi okanee de nagete kero.

Standard Japanese: ここにゴミを置かないで捨ててください。 Koko ni gomi o okanaide sutete kudasai.

English: Don't leave trash here, please throw it away.