About an hour away from Sendai lies Matsushima Bay where 260 tiny, pine-covered islands seem to float upon the bay's calm waters. The bay has been the subject of Japanese poets and artists for hundreds of years, and in 1643 CE it was famously lauded as one of the top three sites in all of Japan. The bay is perfect for exploring, and several of the islands are connected to the mainland by picturesque, red-lacquered bridges.

A chance confluence of nutrient-rich hot and cold currents has led to especially delicious oysters in Matsushima Bay, and these have been drawing crowds for several hundreds of years. Oysters are eaten raw, grilled, and even deep-fried. The raw oysters are paired with ponzu sauce, a type of lemon juice, and red chili peppers, while the deep-fried ones are covered with panko breadcrumbs. There is also a miso-flavored hot pot concoction, and all-you-can-eat oyster shacks line the pier.

Mount Zao is a complex volcano on the border of Yamagata Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture that is known for the Okama Crater, a breathtaking caldera lake that changes color according to weather, season, and even time of day.The lake can even appear a different color when viewed from different angles, hence its other moniker, “The Lake of Five Colors.” While you can get near the top of the mountain by car, bus, ropeway, or chairlift, the only way to get to the crater lake is by a 45-minute scenic hike to the peak, and if you've already made it this far then the hike is a must. At a peak some 6,040-meters tall, the lake is an inseparable component of one of Tohoku's most recognizable peaks. In the summer months flowers and alpine plants are in full bloom, and come autumn intense yellows, oranges, and reds fill the treetops.

A short distance from Sendai, the Pacific coastal city of Shiogama is famous for its sushi. Its port unloads the largest amount of fresh tuna in all of Japan yearly, and it boasts the highest density of sushi restaurants in the Land of the Rising Sun. The port also catches a large amount of swordfish and is a major supplier of seafood for Tokyo. The Shiogama Fish Market is near the wharves where boats unload tons of fresh seafood daily. There are about 140 shops and stalls on-site that offer a large variety of fresh and processed seafood products, and there are also a number of places to enjoy a sushi breakfast or a lunch inside the market as well. Within the city itself, there is every caliber of sushi restaurant available — from the run-down shack to the upscale sushi bar.

Foxes have traditionally been a common subject in Japanese folklore. Sometimes sinister in their motives, but often friendly, the foxes of legend typically possessed the ability to shapeshift and take on a human form. In modern Japan, people are mostly drawn to foxes for their “cute factor,” and there is perhaps no better place to get your fill of this than the Fox Village, located in the mountains near Shiroishi. The “village” is filled with over 100 animals, representing six different types of foxes. They freely roam about a preserve that visitors are allowed to enter and explore. Guests can purchase feed on-site and give it directly to the foxes within the preserve under the friendly supervision and instruction of the staff.