Murata Town, Miyagi's Little Kyoto!

Miyagi Prefecture is home to two places often referred to as "Little Kyoto." The first one is Murata Town, located in Shibata District, south of Sendai. There is no railway access, but you can reach Murata Town by taking the express bus that connects Sendai to Zao. These buses run approximately once every 1-2 hours and pass through Murata Town along the way. Miyako Bus (express bus) supports Suica cards. Besides Sendai Station, the bus also stops at Tohoku University (depending on the bus route) and Hirose-dori. It takes about 35-40 minutes from Sendai Station to reach Murata Town. The town features a terrain similar to Kyoto, with a river flowing through it, a village nestled in the valley, and mountains surrounding it like a fortress. About 2 kilometers away from the town, there is a roadside station where local agricultural products, specialties, and fruits are traded. This location also features a Pokémon manhole cover. While one side of the town resembles a small city, the area within 200 meters feels like stepping back in time with its well-preserved historical appearance. It’s as if you’ve traveled to the past via a time machine. Cars pass through the streets lined with old buildings, creating a scene reminiscent of Kawagoe. The town seems to be in the early stages of development as a tourist destination, with construction visible in some areas. Although the town is small enough to explore in about 30 minutes, the century-old traditional buildings exude a tranquil atmosphere and evoke the charm of Kyoto. Thank you for reading!