This guide covers how to reach Shiogama, the shrine, the seafood market, the ferry to the islands and the practical details for a visit.
The Urato Islands are inhabited islands floating in Matsushima Bay. The sections below follow the way in, the shrine, the seafood market, the ferry and the practical details.
Getting to Shiogama
The JR Senseki Line links Sendai Station with Hon-Shiogama Station. The JR Tohoku Main Line reaches Shiogama Station from Sendai Station. Questions about getting around can go to the Shiogama tourist information office, which is open in the daytime.
From Hon-Shiogama Station, Shiogama Shrine is a walk away. The same trip by taxi is shorter. Marine Gate Shiogama is also a walk from Hon-Shiogama Station. The seafood market is a walk from Higashi-Shiogama Station, a different stop on the Senseki Line.
| From | Line and operator | Time or fare |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai Station to Hon-Shiogama Station | JR Senseki Line | About 28 minutes |
| Sendai Station to Shiogama Station | JR Tohoku Main Line | About 15 minutes |
| Hon-Shiogama Station to Shiogama Shrine | On foot | About 15 minutes |
| Hon-Shiogama Station to the shrine, by taxi | Taxi | About 3 minutes |
| Shiogama Station to Shiogama Shrine | On foot | About 25 minutes |
| Hon-Shiogama Station to Marine Gate Shiogama | On foot | About 10 minutes |
| Shiogama Station to Marine Gate Shiogama | Taxi | About 8 minutes |
| Higashi-Shiogama Station to the seafood market | On foot, after the Senseki Line from Sendai Station | About 15 minutes |
Shiogama Shrine and Its Museum
The main hall, the worship hall and a stone torii gate of Shiogama Shrine are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. From March to October the shrine gates stay open into the evening. In November and December the gates close earlier.
The winter gate times also apply in January and February, and the New Year holiday is announced separately. Mikama Shrine enshrines iron cauldrons. The Shiogama Shrine Museum is open all year round. It is closed on Thursdays.
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The Seafood Market and Sushi
The Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market has many shops on its sales floor. It has parking space of its own. The market is closed on Wednesdays.
On weekday mornings the market serves a donburi in the early hours. My Kaisendon is also available on weekdays from the early morning until noon.
For sushi, Sushitoku is open at midday and again in the evening. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but open on public holidays. Credit cards cannot be used there, so bring cash.
Visitors who would like a local food tour of this tuna and sushi town can arrange it ahead of time. If that suits your plans, a local food tour of the Shiogama tuna and sushi town is listed here.
The Ferry and the Urato Islands
The Shiogama municipal ferry serves Katsurashima, Nonoshima, Ishihama, Sabusawa and Hojima. Boarding takes a ticket. For drivers, Marine Gate Shiogama has a paid parking lot.
Among the sights, Nioujima is a rock shaped by waves over a long time that looks like a Nio guardian statue. Matsuzaki Shrine on Katsurashima enshrines Okitsuhikono-okina-no-kami and Okitsuhimeno-onna-no-kami. Sabusawa Island has a beach within a walk of its pier.
The islands have no restaurant, but guesthouses and pensions serve meals to visitors who do not stay, if arranged in advance. Some of the guesthouses limit their operating periods.
Hours and Fees
Each place keeps its own opening times and closing days, as listed in the tables below. The ferry fare depends on the island. The Shiogama Shrine Museum charges an admission fee.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shiogama Shrine gates, March to October | 5:00 to 18:00 |
| Shiogama Shrine gates, November to December | 5:00 to 17:00 |
| Shiogama Shrine Museum, hours | 9:00 to 16:00 |
| Shiogama Shrine Museum, closed day | Thursday |
| Seafood market, closed day | Wednesday |
| Weekday morning donburi at the market | 6:00 to 9:30 |
| Sushitoku, hours | 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:00 |
| Sushitoku, closed days | Tuesday and Wednesday |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shiogama Shrine Museum, individual admission | 500 yen |
| Mikama Shrine, viewing fee | 100 yen |
| Municipal ferry to Katsurashima, one way | 520 yen |
| Municipal ferry to Nonoshima, one way | 580 yen |
| Municipal ferry, one section between islands | 110 yen |
| Marine Gate Shiogama parking | 100 yen per hour |
| Sushitoku, three-piece tuna set | 1,500 yen |
| Sushitoku, tuna set | 3,000 yen |