Shiogama’s 10 Tasting Treasures: Savoring Sweets, Seafood & Sake

Feeling hungry?  For a local foodie fix there’s nowhere better than Shiogama City; home to the most sushi restaurants per capita in Japan along with a plethora of historic sweet-stores, tea houses and, of course, some of Miyagi’s best sake breweries!  On this tour, you’ll start your day right with a breakfast of fresh-off-the-boat seafood at Shiogama’s Wholesale Fish Markets (Nakaoroshi Markets).  Here you can wander the rows of fish-mongers and select from the catch of the day to add to your bowl of rice and side of miso-soup!  But save some room for what’s to come…!  After heading back into town, you will spend some time walking around the quaint streets, stopping at local fantastic ‘foodie’ locations – everything from Doraemon’s favourite ‘Dorayaki’ sweet pancakes to Sake tasting, drinking Japanese green tea with a tea master and sinking your teeth into local specialty miso-flavoured gelato!  Along the way, learn about the history of Shiogama, its recovery following the events of 3/11 and uncover some local mysteries…

OUTLINE

MEETING PLACE

TOUR COURSE

07:45

Meet at the stained glass window on the 2nd floor, west side exit of Sendai Station.

Then, take a train!  From Sendai Station → JR Senseki Line Departure from Sendai Station (8:09) — Arrival at Higashi Shiogama Station (8:41)   

After arriving at the station, we will take a taxi about 10 minutes and head to the foodie tour!

09:00

Foodie Stop 1: Breakfast at Shiogama Wholesale Fish Market (Nakaoroshi Market). Make your own ‘Kaisen-don’ (Seafood Bowl) by choosing your favourite toppings from the fresh seafood on sale at the market. 

After enjoying it leisurely for about an hour, let’s head to our next destination by taxi!

10:00

Taxi into the Shiogama town area for a foodie walking tour.

10:15

Foodie Stop 2:  Mini-gelato from ‘Ota-ya’ Miso and Soy Sauce specialty store (since 1845). Yep, that’s right! Choose from Shiogama sea-salt or miso flavoured gelato for a salty-sweet surprise!  

10:25

Foodie Stop 3:  A traditional Japanese confectionery from the port town of Shiogama.

10:35

Foodie Stop 4&5:  Taste cookies and cakes made with local ingredients at a local patisserie that has been in business for nearly 50 years!

10:50

Foodie Stop 6: Doraemon’s favourite sweets ‘Dorayaki’ (sweet pancake filled with red-bean cream) at Shiogama’s famous ‘Kasho Eitaro’ store, established over 100 years ago (1909).

11:00

Foodie Stop 7:  Sake tasting at Urakasumi Sake Brewery. “Ochoko” as your souvenir.  Taste and compare three different local sakes from one of Miyagi Prefectures finest breweries.

11:15

Visit the mysterious ‘Okama-jinja’ Shrine, with ancient salt pots that can predict disasters!

 

11:20

Foodie Stop 8:  There will be a 200 yen allowance, guests can purchase their own candy. Let’s have fun choosing!

11:30

Foodie Stop 9:  Walk through local fishmonger, and visit ‘Kumakyu’ local liquour store for some more sake tasting. 

12:00

Stroll through downtown Shiogama.

12:15

Foodie Stop 10:  Green Tea tasting with a twist at ‘Yabe-en’ tea shop.  Learn new ways to savor the diverse varieties of green tea from our tea master Mr. Yabe, or one of his accomplished students, who is also an expert in crafting innovative tea-based cocktails!

Return to Hon-Shiogama Station (JR Senseki Line), then take this train!  Honshiogama Departure: 12:43 → Sendai Station Arrival: 13:10. 

13:20

Tour end at Sendai Station.