Sendai (Aoba) Castle Ruins

仙台城跡

Often recommended by locals, though there isn't much to see beyond the old castle walls and a nice view over the modern city. There's a replica of a gate and a statue of the founder of the city, Date Masumune. However, the ruins of Sendai Castle is the theme of a famous poem written by Doi Bansui called "Kojo no Tsuki" ('The Moon over the desolate castle'). In the poem, the author touchingly invites us to reflect on the impermanence of all life, which is represented by the ruins of the once great castle caught in the light of the full moon. The poem has been put to music and is famous throughout Japan. There is a food court and a small museum on-site.

• museum
• history

Website

city.sendai.jp (opens in a new tab)