Learning About the Six Cities and Towns

Shiogama

Shiogama Shrine is said to have a history of over 1200 years. Shiogama Port boasts one of the largest catches of fresh tuna in Japan and the Urato Islands, which are home to thriving oyster and nori seaweed aquaculture. Experience the history, learn about the blessings of the sea, and enjoy the relaxing passage of time on the islands.

About Shiogama

In the spring, the Shiogama-zakura cherry blossoms, which are designated a national natural monument, bloom at Shiogama Shrine. In the summer, more than one hundred vibrant colored gozasen boats fly their tairyo-bata flags over Chiganoura.

Shiogama, which has prospered as a fishing port since ancient times and boasts one of the highest catches of fresh tuna in Japan, offers an abundance of seafood, including, “Sanriku Shiogama Higashimono,” a famous brand of fresh bigeye tuna, as well as oysters and seaweed cultivated in the Urato Islands.

Nature

Shiogama Port, located in the southwest of Matsushima Bay, has been featured in waka poetry since the Heian period (794-1185) when it was known as 'Chiganoura'. It is said that Matsuo Basho also visited this area and set sail to Matsushima from the port. After taking a boat from Shiogama Port, you will see the Urato Islands, consisting of Katsurashima, Nonoshima, Sabusawa, and Hojima Islands. In the rich environment of the Urato Islands, you can enjoy seasonal flowers such as tunnels of camelias and fields of rapeseed blossoms, as well as fresh local seafood served at the 'minshuku' guesthouses.

Local Products and Culture

Shiogama has many traditional specialties, such as abundant seafood, sake from historic sake breweries, and seaweed salt—which gave the city its name. The city is also known for having a very large number of sushi restaurants relative to its population and is lined with famous sushi restaurants.

The city’s main festivals are the three “Ujiko Sansai” festivals: the Hote Festival, the Hana Festival, and the Minato Festival. Many people gather to see off the shrine parishioners dressed in white, who make for a fantastic sight as they carry the mikoshi (portable shring) up the 202 stone steps of the main approach to Shiogama Shrine.

Agriculture and Fishery Products

Shiogama City is famous for its seafood, including its bigeye tuna. Landed mainly between September and December, bigeye tuna that has passed standards for freshness, color, fat content, and umami is certified as “Sanriku Shiogama Higashimono,” a very popular local brand. The city is also home to a thriving industry for processed seafood products and is one of Japan’s leading producers of kamaboko fish cakes and salted cod.

On the island of Sabusawa in the Urato Islands, Sabusawa rice is grown using only winter snow and rainwater for agricultural water, and the rice paddies are dried only with natural sunlight. The islanders are very proud of this precious rice, grown in a rich environment with the blessings of nature.

Sanriku Shiogama Higashimono (local brand-name tuna)

Historical Figures Associated with Shiogama

Tsudayu, 1744-1814
Sahei, 1762-1829

A sailor from Sabusawa n the Urato Islands, he was lost on his way from Ishinomaki to Edo by ship. Along with Gihe, Tajuro and others, he circumnavigated the world during the sakoku isolation period.
Chonan Izumi no Kami 1580-1654

Born in Awa Province (present-day Chiba Prefecture), he moved to Sabusawa around 1615 and is said to have laid the foundation for the present-day Sabusawa Port.
Lord Date Tsunamura 1659-1719

Fourth lord of the Sendai domain. Deeply devoted to Shiogama Shrine, he implemented various reforms for the development of Shiogama, including the expansion of the use of Shiogama Port.

Toenji Storehouse

Let's check it out!
Pot? Or Hearth? Which character?

The character for “hearth”(kama) in the name 'Shiogama' refers to “a furnace for boiling seawater to make salt." Even though it has the same reading, the origin of the character is different from that of “pot”. Both kanji are used in the city, so try to find out which one is used in what places.

Major Tourist Attractions in Shiogama

Shiogama Shrine

The shrine has a history of more than 1,200 years, and at that time it was revered by the Imperial Court and others as the 'Ichinomiya' (most important shrine) of Mutsu. The “Shiogama-zakura” cherry tree, a national natural monument, can only be seen here, with its large, light pink flowers that bloom from late April to early May.
Shiogama Wholesale Fish Market

This is one of the largest wholesale seafood markets in Tohoku in terms of the number and variety of stores, each selling fresh seafood landed at Shiogama Port. It is one of the few markets in Japan where the general public can casually shop. It’s popular for guests to grill and eat the food they’ve purchased at the market, or to make their own unique seafood rice bowl with ingredients of their choice.

PREV
More areas
NEXT