Sendai Asakusa at Night

Neon, drinks, food, and religion hidden in an alley

Justin Velgus May 10, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Some restaurants, like this Korean restaurant, use mass signage to draw in customers. </p>

<p>A local parks his bike in front of his favorite bar. The ride here was easy, but he will be walking his bike home because of the zero tolerance on alcohol law when operating a vehicle in Japan. </p>

<p>This izakaya looks like it is under construction. The themed drinking restaurant is worth a visit for a laugh and flavorful eats.  </p>

<p>Pouring water over Kannon, the goddess of mercy, is a ritual observed by visitors to this small prayer area setup where a storefront would usually be. </p>

<p>Looking through the window of the prayer area you can see several Buddhist statues. </p>

<p>On the station side of Sendai Asakusa street. </p>

<p>Most businesses are open day or night time. However, this store sells home made bento boxes day and night. </p>

<p>A ramen restaurant welcomes hungry businessmen. </p>

<p>A second place for praying is located further down the street. </p>

<p>The second area to pray is also dedicated to Kannon. Notice the bowl to offer incense. </p>

<p>Restaurants, a temples, dry cleaners, and a barber shop-- there is some of everything in this hidden alley. Sorry, the barber shop is not open at ten at night.</p>

<p>With a little imagination, and perhaps a few drinks, it isn't difficult to imagine taking a step back in time. If you are looking for the Japan of yesterday with unique charm, take a trip to Sendai Asakusa. </p>

Sendai Asakusa is an alleyway almost hidden in plain site. Easy to miss for those not in the know, this single street in Sendai with a rich history is now a hodgepodge of stores and restaurants. Places such as the dry cleaners or barbershop are only open during the morning and afternoon, but as soon as the sun starts to set, a new world appears.

Neon lights, the muffled sounds of laughter and singing, and smells of grilled meats, ramen, and more assault your senses. At the same time, there are moments of peace. First there is the brief quiet pause when you pass a few select shops, which opened earlier in the day are now closed. Then without warning you come across Buddhist statues and an area to pray. The roller coaster of emotions mixed with moments of excitement and bliss make a trip to Sendai Asakusa a memorable experience.

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...