Miyagi

About Miyagi

Miyagi Prefecture area 7,281.12 square kilometres with some undetermined boundaries, population 2,218,334 July 1 2026 about 2.22 million most populous in Tohoku density 305 per sq km. Capital Sendai about 1,094,016 core city forming metro 1.52 million 68 percent. Geography western border is Ou Mountains with Mount Kurikoma 1,627m and Zao Range Byobu-dake 1,825m as highest. Central to southeast spreads Sendai Plain fertile alluvium from Kitakami and Abukuma rivers, with Osaki plains as rice granary. East faces Pacific northern Sanriku ria with Kesennuma and Ishinomaki fishing ports, central Matsushima Bay 260 islands considered Japan Three Scenic Views, southern Sendai Bay sandy beach. Lakes include Izunuma-Uchinuma Ramsar wetlands for migrating geese. History since Kofun period under Yamato with Raijin-yama keyhole tomb, later Mutsu provincial capital Tagajo eighth century built. Medieval Osaki, Kasai, Rusu clans until Date Masamune moved from Yonezawa to Iwadeyama and built Sendai Castle 1600 ruling Sendai domain 620,000 koku through Edo as Tohoku's largest daimyo. After Meiji Restoration domains abolished 1871 Tome Ishinomaki Iwadeyama Kakuda Sendai prefectures coexisted renamed 1872 from Miyagi District to Miyagi Prefecture borders fixed 1876 combining parts Ichinoseki of Iwate and Fukushima. Climate is generally Pacific climate but 45 percent area is heavy snow zone mountainous west above 1,500m sees minus 10-15C in winter snow over 300cm while coastal Sendai averages 12.8C annual mean only 59cm snow with cool foggy summers from yamase east wind, precipitation 1,230mm. Influences from Japan Sea cause cloud in mountains. Industry rice central with Sasahishiki Hitomebore brands from Osaki kodo flatlands world agricultural heritage site recognised by Food and Agricultural Organization. Traditional vegetables Sendai hakusai Sendai mizuna, fruit strawberry pear, certified Sendai beef Miyagino pork. Major fisheries with three Category 3 ports Kesennuma Ishinomaki Shiogama more than any other prefecture, landing bonito October peak Japan number one, saury tuna marlin plus aquaculture wakame nori oyster scallop sea squirt coho salmon. Manufacturing in Sendai port inland produces electronics Toyota auto parts paper. Crafts Naruko kokeshi lacquer Shiroishi washi Tsutsumi-yaki pottery. Tourism includes Matsushima Temple Zuigan-ji designated National Treasure, Zao Okama crater lake emerald colour and fox village with 100 foxes, Akiu Naruko onsen, Sendai Tanabata star festival Aug 6-8 with colourful streamers raising three million visitors, Shiogama shrine, Kinkasan islet pilgrim path three-year continuous visit faith, World Yatani primrose wetland near Kurikoma, Sanno warehouse in Sakata. Local cuisine gyutan barbecued beef tongue zunda mochi edamame. Transport Tohoku Shinkansen and Sendai Airport as hub.