The two streets immediately next to Sendai's Ichiban-machi are called Toichi Market, a charming shopping area given a bit of mysterious flair by its unique shops. Entering the cozy side streets, the incense stores immediately make their fragrant presence known, but cute pet salons, antique stores, and figure shops also quickly vie for attention. After a bit of wandering there are plenty of chic restaurants and cheap bars nearby that always attract a lively younger crowd. I definitely recommend a visit!

Click here for our complete Sendai city guide!

New Year's tradition in Japan states that after the holidays are over families gather the pine decorations displayed around their house and take them to a shrine to be burnt in a large bonfire. At Sendai's Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, this tradition has expanded into a large festival that has attracted visitors from across the country for over 300 years. The Dotonsai Festival, which took place on 14 January this year, is best known for its hadakamairi, or "nude march." In it, a group of men make their wintry pilgrimage wearing only a white cotton cloth, headband, and socks, in order to pray for a healthy and vigorous new year. This unusual festival is one of Sendai's signature events! Don't miss it!

Read more about this and other Sendai winter festivals here!

Photo provided by the Miyagi Prefecture Industry Department, Tourism Division.

I recently got a chance to join a Kyoto Morning Tour by Sunrise Tours! In addition to visiting 6 popular Kyoto sightseeing spots, I also took advantage of the hotel pickup and dropoff service, which made me feel like I got a great bargain for only JPY 5,600!

I spent the night at the Kyoto Hotel Okura and woke up bright and early to head down to the lobby and wait for my pickup at 8:15 a.m. I was greeted by Sunrise Tours' English speaking staff, and all I had to give was my name and tour name, and I was ready to go!
*Pickup for the Kyoto & Nara 1-Day Tour and Kyoto 1-Day Tour is along with the Kyoto Morning Tour, so make sure you tell the staff the correct tour name!

The picture on the left is of the pickup counter at the New Miyako Hotel. It's directly in front of Kyoto Station, and the last pickup point before tours begin, so it's possible to step directly off of the train to Kyoto and join a Sunrise Tour! To see the full list of hotels with pickup service, click here.

First we visited Nijo-jo Castle, built over 400 years ago and former Imperial residence. Kyoto is most famous for its religious sites, like the many World Heritage temples and shrines, but Nijo-jo Castle is unique in presenting a chance to experience the history of the Tokugawa Shogunate. On Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December (or the following day should they be national holidays) the castle is closed, and the tour visits Ryoanji Temple instead. If you're interested in visiting the heart of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, try a tour that visits Ryoanji!

Popular among Japanese and visitors to Japan alike, Kinkakuji Temple, or the Golden Pavillion, is perhaps Kyoto's most famous temple, and with good reason! On a clear day, the temple's sparkling reflection in the nearby Kyoko Pond is simply a breathtaking sight. Everyone that comes to Kyoto should see this!

The last stop of the morning was Kyoto's Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to publish any photographs from the inside! In order to pass through the earthen walls surrounding the Imperial Palace, usually it's necessary to submit an application by mail or complete a reservation form online in Japanese. Luckily, when joining a tour visiting the palace, all you have to do is fill out a short form given to you on the bus by your tour guide! (*Name, sex, age, and nationality are required fields on the form) Easy access to the normally secluded palace is another great reason to join the Kyoto 1-Day Tour! The palace is closed on Saturdays, and the tour visits Nishi-Honganji Temple instead.

After visiting Kyoto Imeprial Palace, our tour was over. We all parted ways and took advantage of the dropoff service to hotels around Kyoto from Kyoto Handicraft Center, home to many traditional Japanese workshops.

I recently got a chance to join a Kyoto Afternoon Tour by Sunrise Tours! In addition to visiting three popular Kyoto sightseeing spots, I also took advantage of the hotel pickup and dropoff service, which made me feel like I got a great bargain for only JPY 5,600!

The picture on the left is of the pickup counter at the New Miyako Hotel. It's directly in front of Kyoto Station, and the last pickup point before tours begin, so it's possible to step directly off of the train to Kyoto and join a Sunrise Tour! To see the full list of hotels with pickup service, click here.

First we visited Nijo-jo Castle, built over 400 years ago and former Imperial residence. Kyoto is most famous for its religious sites, like the many World Heritage temples and shrines, but Nijo-jo Castle is unique in presenting a chance to experience the history of the Tokugawa Shogunate. On Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December (or the following day should they be national holidays) the castle is closed, and the tour visits Ryoanji Temple instead. If you're interested in visiting the heart of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, try a tour that visits Ryoanji!

Our first stop was Heian Jingu Shrine. Built in 1895 to commemorate 1,100 years since the beginning of Kyoto's tenure as Japan's capital, Heian Jingu's goal was to show that Kyoto truly is the heart of Japan.

Although the temple's official name is Rengejyo-in, this temple is more popularly known as Sanjyusangendo for the thirty-three (sanjyusan in Japanese) openings between the pillars of the long main hall. The temple's highlight is the 1,000 Kanon statues arranged in ten rows. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the main hallway, but this temple is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes!

The last stop of the tour never fails to amaze. Kiyomizudera Temple features my favorite view in all of Kyoto: from its main deck you can take in a sweeping unbroken view of the city laid out before you. In spring the temple's cherry blossoms are beautiful, in summer the verdant greenery refreshing, in fall the trees are ablaze in color, and in winter the snow covered grounds silent and serene. Kiyomizudera Temple only gets more beautiful with each visit.

After visiting Kiyomizudera, our tour was over. We all parted ways and took advantage of the dropoff service to hotels around Kyoto. Following the Kyoto 1-Day Tour, it's possible to join the Kyoto Maiko Night and Kyoto Special Night tours, for those who would like to explore Kyoto further.

The chance to see six popular Kyoto spots in one day makes this tour a great choice for Kyoto first-timers. Give it a shot!

I've been remiss in neglecting to mention one of Sendai's best sightseeing spots until now: Sendai Castle. Although very little of the actual building remains, the ruins always attract visitors drawn to the castle's former master, the warlord Date Masamune. A statue on the former castle grounds memorializes Masamune, surveying the city below from atop his warhorse. You can share the same view as Masamune, nicknamed the "One-eyed Dragon," by visiting his statue. The former castle grounds also host a shrine popular during the New Year's holidays and plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants offering Sendai specialties like grilled beef tongue. Sendai Castle is a can't-miss location for all visitors to the City of Trees!

Read more details about the ruins of Sendai Castle

See our Sendai City guide

Here's the latest conditions straight from the slopes at Hakuba Happo-one!

With plenty of snow falling and strong cold winds, Happo-one has the perfect conditions for some serious powder snow!
[Kurobish, Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort / 11 January 2009]

The slopes have been absolutely buried in powder snow overnight. Usagidaira got about 50 cm of new snow, and enough powder to sink past your knees!
[Usagidaira, Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort / 13 January 2009]

Find information on lift tickets, trail maps, and hotel reservations at Hakuba Happo-one here!

JAPANiCAN Special Report: See our exclusive in-depth look at Hakuba's slopes here!

Happy new year from Team JTB Sendai! For as long as I've lived in Sendai, I've never been the famous Sendai Hatsuuri Sale. So, on the second day of January I decided to wake up early at 6:00 a.m. to see what all the commotion was about! Despite always hearing stories of all the eager shoppers lining up for a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, I was still shocked at the sheer number of people waiting at that early hour for stores in the city center to open! Some had been there since 4:00 a.m.! There was an undercurrent of excitement running through the crowds, as everyone envisioned the deep discounts, special gifts, and "lucky bags" full of brand name goods. As soon as the doors opened department store staff was ready to guide over-eager shoppers dashing towards the merchandise. Watching the spectacle unfold before me, I immediately decided to start putting some money aside to join the bargain-hunters next year!

For an experience only to be had in Sendai, and for a chance to get high class merchandise at an incredible price, the Hatsuuri Sale can't be beat! Why not take a chance on one of Sendai's famous lucky bags next year? I'll be there!

Click here for recommended JAPANiCAN hotels in Sendai

Click here for our Sendai city guide