Outside Sendai Station stand rows of shopping streets, with six covered arcades in this fun shopping city. The shopping in Sendai has been getting better and better, especially since the opening of the Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets in the outskirts of the city -- about 30 minutes by car from Sendai Station area -- in autumn 2008.

Read to the end of the article to find out how you can receive a free novelty gift coupon.

The Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets are located in the lush green surroundings of elegant Izumi Park Town, about 40 minutes from Sendai Station by bus. Here, you can find all your favorite shops in surroundings reminiscent of a pleasant New England townscape.

With 80 stores selling everything from everyday household goods to premium Japanese and international fashion, both adults and children can find everything they desire. During your shopping, if you'd like to take a rest, try the adjacent Izumi Park Town Tapio shopping center, which houses approximately 20 cafes and restaurants serving a range of Japanese and Western food options. If you decide to stay at the Sendai Royal Park Hotel, located just south of the mall, you can use your whole day to shop to your heart's content!

This store takes pride in the quality and taste of its products, even growing its own grapes to make wine and using delicious fruit to make jam, dressings, pasta sauce, and spices for flavoring the original food products on sale. In-store, try finding your favorite flavor by tasting a number of the jams, or pick up one of the light meals also on sale.

The store's Wild Blueberry Compote comes highly recommended, having won first prize at the Mondo Selection in April 2009. The jam is best eaten with St. Cousair original crackers, which can be sampled in-store.

Come and enjoy the atmosphere of a typical Japanese shopping mall, where you can find everything from a supermarket to interior design and hobby stores. There is even a shop full of colorfully designed homewares where everything is JPY 315. Finally, the mall's food court offers visitors a wide selection of cuisine, ensuring that everyone finds just what they want to eat, no problem!

This stylish city hotel has a resort feel, and was designed based on a lush Western-style garden. The hotel offers the best features of the Tohoku region of Japan as well as European styling, relaxing rooms, and Japanese, Chinese and Western restaurants.

Visitors can also make use of conveniently placed Internet computer terminals and Seven Bank ATMs, which accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, JCB and Ginren Cards.

[Information] Sendai-Izumi Premium OutletsSendai-Izumi Premium Outlets Official Site
6-1-1, Teraoka, Izumi-Ku, Sendai-Shi, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Tel: 022-355-5310

Click here to view & print a coupon for 10% off select items at the Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlet! (Please present coupon to the Information Center located on the first floor. Some stores not included in offer.)

Opening hours:
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(Cafes: 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Opening hours vary by season and by establishment.　

Access:
Train/Bus - From JR Sendai Station take the underground train headed for Izumi Chuo. After 15 minutes get off at Izumi Chuo Station. From there, take the Miyakoh Bus headed for Izumi Park Town via Teraoka Murosakiyama. After 20 minutes, get off at the Teraoka 1-chome Kita/Izumi Outlet bus stop. The shopping center is 3 minutes away on foot.

Discounted round-trip tickets can be purchased for JPY 1,000 from the Miyagi Transport Information Desk at the Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal.
Go down staircase 1, and tickets can be purchased at the back of the building.

When you get on the bus, please make sure that you take one of the numbered tickets from the machine at the entrance of the bus (pictured). If you tell the bus driver that you are headed to the "Outlet", they will tell you where to get off.

JAPANiCAN.com readers can receive a free novelty gift at Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets!

Outside Sendai Station stand rows of shopping streets, with six covered arcades in this fun shopping city. The shopping in Sendai has been getting better and better, especially since the opening of the Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiport about 30 minutes from Sendai Station in the outskirts of the city.

Located in the Sendai Port area, the Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiport is approximately 30 minutes from Sendai Station and boasts the largest selection of shops (approx. 120) to be found in the northeastern Tohoku region of Japan. International brand shops, as well as fashion, outdoor, and homeware stores are all found here spread over two floors within the compact area of the mall, making this an easy place to shop.

To visit the mall, take the Senseki Line from JR Sendai Station, get off at Nakanosakae Station (18 minutes), and the mall is conveniently located just 8 minutes' walk away. Furthermore, the mall is conveniently located on the train line bound for Matsushima, one of Japan's famous Three Scenic Wonders.

The great thing about a visit to the Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiport is that you can enjoy the Tohoku region's delicious food while doing some holiday shopping. The mall's Market Street features shops where you can buy local Tohoku souvenirs and specialties, while the "Mori no Kitchen" (Forest Kitchen) food court on the second floor houses nine restaurants where you can try the flavors of Tohoku.

Market Street, packed with goodies from all over the Tohoku region. Just a look is enough to prove you're in another country!

Try the food court's Sendai kara-miso ramen (780 yen): noodles in a light miso-flavored soup. Mix in some of the restaurant's original chili pepper-infused spicy red miso and enjoy!

If you get tired and want to take a break from shopping, why not take a ride on the Ferris wheel and enjoy the scenery? (12 minute ride; 500 yen per person.) On a clear day you can see as far as the Zao mountain range. In the evening, the wheel is illuminated giving it a nice, romantic atmosphere.

[Information] Mitsui Outlet Park SendaiportMitsui Outlet Park Sendaiport Official Site (Japanese)
123 Nakano Ideka, Miyagino-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture
Tel: 022-355-8800

Opening hours:
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(Restaurants/Cafes: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.)
Ferris wheel: 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Opening hours vary by season and by establishment.　

Access:
By bus: From bus stop number 34 outside Sendai Station, take the bus headed for "Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiport via Nakanosakae Station" (approx. 30 minutes; 490 yen one way). The bus stops right outside the mall.

By train: From JR Sendai Station take the Senseki Line to Nakanosakae Station (18 minutes; 190 yen one way). The mall is 8 minutes' walk from the station, with the path marked by signs on telegraph poles along the way.

JAPANiCAN.com readers get a free special coupon booklet (written in English & Japanese) for discounts and added services at Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiport!

Early in the morning, the pick-up bus visits several local Tokyo hotels, taking tour participants to Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal, starting point for the tour. Check-in at the Sunrise counter at the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal was easy, and in no time at all I was in my seat and off to see Mt. Fuji!

Leaving from Hamamatsucho in downtown Tokyo, we passed the Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, Mt. Takao, and many more Tokyo landmarks as we drove along the highway towards Mt. Fuji. As we got closer, everyone on the bus was surprised to see a full amusement park, Fuji-Q Highland, right at the base of the mountain! Our first stop was the Fuji Visitor Center, where we had a chance to learn some of the history behind Japan's most famous symbol. It was a nice chance to stop and stretch my legs after the bus ride, browse through some of the traditional souvenirs for sale, and get a good look at our main event for the day: Mt. Fuji!

We left the visitor center and started up the road towards the fifth station of Mt. Fuji. Passing the first station, starting point for those adventurous enough to tackle Mt. Fuji's entire height on foot, I noticed that the path was lined in grass, contrasting with the rocky landscapes at Fuji's peak. Unfortunately I had a bit of bad luck with the weather, and it was raining lightly when we arrived at the fifth station. The rain itself wasn't too bad, but it also came with some light fog. Still, everyone had a great time taking pictures and looking over the many special souvenirs only offered on Mt. Fuji. There's actually a small post office located at Mt. Fuji's fifth station, a great place to send postcards of Mt. Fuji to your friends or relatives!

After getting off our bus at the fifth station, our tour took a break at the Hotel Regina Kawaguchiko for lunch. Those that had chosen the lunch option with their tour got a chance to experience a traditional and delicious Japanese bento-style lunch, composed of an array of small dishes, including sashimi, shrimp, chicken, scallops, grilled fish, and more, arranged delicately in lacquered boxes. Along with the many small dishes, we also had rice and miso soup, and sherbet for desert. Vegetarian options were also available.

After lunch we took about a 70-minute drive to Hakone, favorite hot spring destination for Tokyoites. Arriving in Hakone, we passed the Hakone Open-Air Museum, home to a Picasso gallery and Gora flowers. Our destination in Hakone, however, was a cruise on the waters of Lake Ashi. Weekends can be quite crowded, but on weekdays it can almost seem like you have the whole area to yourself. The boats on Lake Ashi had three levels, with the highest an open-air observatory. Everyone immediately wanted to go up top and take in the scenery around them! From the boat, the mountains of Hakone and Lake Ashi surrounded us in amazing scenery. From the boat, I was able to take a nice picture of the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine. Disembarking from our lakeside cruise, we could see some of Hakone's beautiful gardens as we headed towards our next destination, the Mt. Komagatake Ropeway.

As we rode up the Mt. Komagatake Ropeway to the mountain's peak, Lake Ashi below slowly dwindled to the size of a pool, and the clouds at the bottom of Mt. Komagatake were like strands of cotton candy. Komagatake Shrine lay at the top of the mountain, with a gigantic stone enshrined before it, said to be in the shape of a horse. The simple cord tied around the stone was enough to give the entire area a serene and peaceful feeling.

Returning from the top of Mt. Komagatake, night had already started to fall. We all took another short break while preparing for the journey back to Tokyo. The group diverged at that point, with some tour guests taking an optional one-night stay in Hakone, and some traveling to nearby Odawara Station to ride Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet train back to Tokyo. The Shinkansen option in particular was popular with people who wanted to experience Japan's legendary train, or just those who wanted to cut the 90-minute ride back to Tokyo in half.

With us the entire trip was our delightful guide, Emiko. Whether impressing us with her encyclopedic knowledge of Japan, singing to us in Japanese, or teaching us Japanese characters or how to fold an origami Mt. Fuji, she made the bus ride a fun time for all, and really made everyone feel welcome with her warm hospitality.

I recently got a chance to relax and enjoy what turned out to be an amazing view of Tokyo by night. I stayed at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza premier, a hotel famous for its views located about a 5-minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station. On the way to the hotel I stopped by Showa-dori, Ginza's main street, just a few minutes from the hotel and full of some of the best shopping to be found in Tokyo.

Immediately after stepping out of the elevator into the hotel's lobby on the 16th floor, I was greeted with a full view of the Tokyo Tower from outside the windows of the lobby lounge. The sofas in the lobby looked quite comfortable too.

Guest rooms are located on floors 17 through 25. According to the hotel staff, since the hotel is actually located just outside the Ginza area, it was able to avoid the strict height regulations that would have otherwise affected the modern high-rise. Thanks to its location, all guest rooms at the Mitsui Garden facing Ginza have great views of Japan's designer capital.

Single room
I stayed in a single facing the Shiodome side of the hotel, looking out over the Tsukiji fish market, and Hamarikyu Gardens.

Past the gardens, I could also catch a glimpse of the Rainbow Bridge stretching across Tokyo Bay.

I lounged around on the bed and sofa as night fell on the city outside. Despite all the rush below, it might have been one of the first times I've looked out at Tokyo and felt... relaxed.

Bathroom
Bathrooms in the single rooms feature some pretty high-tech glass: the windows actually use LCD crystals that can either give you privacy or a clear view at the push of a button. I wanted to try taking a shower while enjoying the night sky, but unfortunately the high-tech windows still fogged up nicely!

I think the bathroom did a good job of making the entire room feel more open and airy. When I woke up the next morning, the entire room was full of sunlight, giving me a good start to the day ahead.

Other rooms at the Mistui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier have a window next to the bathtub, letting you take in the night sky as you soak away the day's cares.

Breakfast
The next morning I went to the restaurant Sky on the 16th floor to try the breakfast buffet. The organic vegetables used in the salad were delicious, and I enjoyed designing my own pancakes with fresh fruit and whipped cream. I definitely recommend the buffet!

Book Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza premier

See article Fantastic Views from Tokyo Hotels

Join the fun and excitement yourself by transforming into your favorite anime or manga character and entering the World Cosplay Festival's cosplay parade, or simply watch the best cosplayers from around the world compete for the 2009 crown!

I love to eat and some of the most memorable experiences of any vacation come from the food...

Nishiki Market Street, in the middle of Kyoto's shopping district, has drawn in those looking for a good deal and a tasty snack for over 400 years.

Over 130 shops are lined up along the 400 meter stretch. Popular both with locals and tourists, it's earned the nickname "Kyoto's Kitchen." Get a taste of the local food and the culture of Kyoto.

With its long-standing stores offering fresh fish, vegetables, tofu, pickles, and other ingredients, Kyoto's unique Buddhist-influenced home cooking can be sampled here.

You'll also find plenty of stores specializing in traditional Japanese sweets like daifuku, a thin chewy mochi rice cake wrapped around various fillings, or newer treats like soy milk soft-serve ice cream.

Finger foods like omusubi (rice balls) or skewered sashimi-style tuna are perfect to snack on while browsing for something to take back home!

Be careful on Wednesdays and Sundays, as many stores will be closed. We recommend going either before or after lunch to catch the market at its liveliest!

Location: Nishiki-koji Street between Takakura and Teramachi Streets: 5 min walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line.

I tried all of these!
Soy Milk Soft Cream 250 yen / Apple Juice 400 yen / Skewered Tuna 150 yen / Omusubi (Rice Ball) 160 yen