| Located nearly in the center of Miyagi Prefecture, the city of Sendai is the political, economic, and cultural center of Japan's Tohoku(northeast) region. The city prospered as the castle town of the Date Clan, whose domain was valuated at 620,000 koku (or about 3,000,000 bushels of rice). Built on the banks of the beautiful Hirose River and surrounded by the rich greenery of Zelkova trees, the city became known throughout Japan as "the forest capital." Particularly known for its celebration of the Tanabata festival in the summer and for its Pageant of Starlight in the winter, the city draws many tourists each year. |