A Journey to the Ancient Northern Heart: The Roots of JAPAN [Day-trip]

The Origin of Japanese Food: A Journey through Rice in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture
From Ancient Cultural Experiences to Special Imperial Cuisine
A Tour Exploring the History and Culture of Tagajo, One of Japan's Three Great Historic Sites

Tagajo City is a historic town where historical sites occupy one-fourth of the city's area. 1300 years ago, during the Nara period, "Kokufu Tagajo" was established as the political and cultural center of the Tohoku region. Why not extend your trip slightly from Sendai to experience the rich history and culture of Tagajo?


Program

Tohoku History Museum

The Tohoku History Museum is a prefectural museum that conveys the history of the Tohoku region to the present day. In this program, you will be guided by a curator through both the permanent and special exhibitions.
*Please note that the content of the special exhibitions may change depending on the period.

Permanent Exhibition:
The history of the entire Tohoku region, from the Paleolithic era to modern times, is displayed in nine period-specific sections. Additionally, there are detailed display areas that delve deeply into three themes that best represent the characteristics of the Tohoku region.

October 12th (Saturday) to December 15th (Sunday): Special Exhibition "Tagajo 1300 Years"
This exhibition commemorates the 1300th anniversary of Tagajo's founding, depicting why Tagajo was established in this area 1300 years ago, its role, and how it developed, based on excavation research results, and relating it to the trends of the Ritsuryo state, Mutsu Province, and Northern society at the time.

[Lunch] Tagajo specialty: ancient rice lunch

Lunch will feature a menu using ancient rice, a specialty of Tagajo. Ancient rice is a chewy-textured, purple rice rich in nutrients that are beneficial for beauty and health. It is believed that ancient rice has been cultivated in Tagajo for a long time.

[Experience/Visit] Shell Painting Experience at the Tagajo Archaeological Research Center

Engage in the ancient noble pastime of kai-awase (shell matching), where pairs of clamshells are matched—a game popular among nobles in the Heian period. In this tour, you will have the special opportunity to decorate clamshells using iwa-enogu (natural mineral pigments), which are also used in Japanese paintings.
Afterward, visit the Tagajo Archaeological Research Center, where staff will explain the findings from archaeological excavations.

[Dress-up Experience] Manyo Costumes

Try on costumes that recreate the attire worn by nobles and officials during the Heian period, handmade by residents of Tagajo City. Choose from a variety of colorful outfits.

Costume production by the Tagajo Manyo Festival Executive Committee.

[Stroll & Photo Session] Tagajo Ruins

Founded in 724, 1300 years ago, Tagajo is one of Japan's three great historic sites, alongside Heijo-kyu in Nara and Dazaifu in Fukuoka. The "Tagajo Monument," which commemorates the founding of Tagajo 1300 years ago, has been designated as a national treasure this year. The south gate, which is being restored to commemorate the 1300th anniversary, is also a highlight. Commemorative photos will be taken in Manyo costumes.

[Stroll & Photo Session] Shiogama Shrine

Shiogama Shrine is a shrine located in neighboring Shiogama City, next to Tagajo City. It is the head shrine of all Shiogama Shrines nationwide, dedicated to the god of salt-making. It has been cherished by people from nobles to commoners since ancient times. Learn about the history of salt-making, which is said to have shaped the landscape of Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, and its relationship with Kokufu Tagajo.

[Dinner] Special Imperial Cuisine

Nara period cuisine mainly consisted of dried foods that were easy to preserve. Since Heijo Palace was in a basin in Nara, dried and salted ingredients were brought from all over Japan. On the other hand, in Tagajo, which is close to the sea, fresh seafood may have been enjoyed since ancient times. If imperial cuisine from the Nara period existed in the modern era, we would offer special imperial cuisine unique to Tagajo for this tour.

Menu supervision
Chef Hori Chisako
Registered dietitian, anti-aging cooking specialist, and dietary advisor / Director of Causeholly Co., Ltd. / Managing Director of Kikunoi Co., Ltd. / After teaching at a culinary school in Kyoto, she became the head of the product sales department at the Kyoto-style restaurant "Kikunoi". In 2008, she opened “Le Rire”, a restaurant based on the concept of anti-aging. The menu is based on the concept of "food makes the body", and it has attracted attention as a new restaurant.
Content Development Collaboration

Tagajo City / HIGASHI NIPPON BROADCASTING Co.,Ltd. / Tohoku History Museum / Tagajo Archaeological Research Center / Tagajo Shiyukan / Historical City Tagajo Manyo Festival Executive Committee / Tagajo City Cultural Center / Causeholly Ltd.

Plan details

The contents of the packaged travel contract (hereinafter referred to as the "Travel Contract") are based on the contents described on this page and the contents described in the "Tour Conditions".

Title A Journey to the Ancient Northern Heart: The Roots of JAPAN [Day-trip]
Departure date Use the form below to request Schedule
*Please note that the program contents are subject to change depending on the season.
Travel daysDay trip
Number of mealsLunch x 1, Dinner x 1
Schedule*The program content may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
1 Day 1 Meeting Point: Sendai Station (10:00)
(Transportation by Train)
Kokufu Tagajo Station (10:30 -10:45)
(On foot)
Sightseeing: Tohoku History Museum (Approx. 90 min.)
(On foot)
Lunch: Ancient rice lunch at &Sun (Approx. 45 min.)
(Transportation by Jumbo Taxi)
Shell painting experience: Tagajo Shiyukan (Approx. 75 min.)
(On foot)
Sightseeing: Tagajo City Buried Cultural Property Research Center (Approx. 30 min.)
(On foot)
Manyo costume dressing experience: Tagajo City Cultural Center (Approx. 30 min.)
(Transportation by Jumbo Taxi)
Sightseeing and commemorative photo: Tagajo Castle ruins (Approx. 30 min.)
(Transportation by Jumbo Taxi)
Sightseeing and commemorative photo: Shiogama Shrine (Approx. 45 min.)
(Transportation by Jumbo Taxi)
Dinner: Special Imperial Cuisine (Approx. 120 min.)
(Jumbo taxi transfer)
Tagajo Station (20:15-20:30)
(Transportation by Train)
Return to Sendai Station: (20:45〜21:00)
Note: Timings may vary based on season and number of participants. Final itinerary will be provided before departure.
Price For solo participants: JPY 250,000 (tax included) per person
For 2 participants: JPY 135,000 (tax included) per person
For 3 participants: JPY 100,000 (tax included) per person
For 4 participants: JPY 80,000 (tax included) per person
For groups of 5 to 7 participants: JPY 65,000 (tax included) per person
Included in price Transportation, lunch and dinner, tour guide, experience fees, facility usage
NOT included in price Transportation to/from meeting point, accommodation costs, additional personal expenses
Payment Confirm your booking with payment by credit card (Visa/Master) or bank transfer within 10 days. Details and invoice will be provided upon booking.
Alteration and Cancellation The following charges will apply for any changes or cancellations made after the booking is confirmed:
•20 days before: 20% of tour charges
•7 days before: 30% of tour charges
•1 day before: 40% of tour charges
•Day of tour: 50% of tour charges
•After tour starts or no show: 100% of tour charges
Minimum number of participants 1 person
Participation conditions Children under the age of 6 are not permitted to participate. In addition, as alcohol is served on this tour, children under the age of 20 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (alcohol is not served to children under the age of 20).
Booking21 days before the tour.
Terms & Conditions Please review the terms and conditions before booking.
Tour Terms and Conditions (Domestic)

<Notes>

*Changes to content
There may be changes to parts of the program due to weather conditions, guide instructions, or the state of infectious disease spread on the day.
*Personal Valuables
Participants are responsible for their personal belongings.
*Tour Conductor
A guide will accompany the tour throughout.
*Contact
The final itinerary will include contact details for reaching us during the tour.
Access to the meeting place
Staff with a board that reads "Mirai Creation Experience" will be waiting in front of the Shinkansen ticket gate at JR Sendai Station.
Access to JR Sendai Station
- By train
From Tokyo to Sendai: 1 hours 35 minutes by Hayabusa
From Nagoya to Sendai: 3 hours 20 minutes by Nozomi & Hayabusa
From Shin-Osaka to Sendai: 4 hours 15 minutes by Nozomi & Hayabusa

Click here to make a reservation for the Tohoku Shinkansen↓
JR-EAST Train Reservation
Travel planning and implementation
Tokyo Governor Registered Travel Agency No. 2-8105
MIRAI Creation Company Co., Ltd
3rd Yoshida Building 3F, 3-13-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Regular member of Japan Travel Agents Association (JATA)
Domestic travel business manager: Misako Kan
TEL: 03-6230-9855 / FAX: 03-6230-9856
MAIL: exp@miraidukuri.co.jp
Business hours: 10:30-19:30 Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
(Contacts received by email, fax, mail, etc. outside of business hours will be handled the next business day.)