The daimyo were feudal lords of long ago Japan, and Date Masamune is one of the most famous of them all. Date (pronounced “dah-tay”) is credited with being the founder of what is now the bustling metropolis of Sendai, a city just an hour and a half north of Tokyo on the bullet train. Naturally, Date and his clan are celebrated figures in Sendai, and their mausoleum and grounds unwaveringly reflect this. No visit to Sendai would be complete with visiting these hallowed grounds which are conveniently located just a few minutes outside the heart of the city.
Ascend to a higher place
Depending how spiritual you are feeling, you may cringe at the sight of these stairs, or you may embrace them as part of the grand experience of visiting a mausoleum. Go with the latter feeling, and embrace the old growth forest around you with its ancient moss and chirping birds lining your path. A little effort makes the prize more appreciated, right?
Inside these walls lies a great man
In 1636, this mausoleum was sealed with Date and his servants inside. The structure you see today is true to the original, but is a reconstruction built in 1979. You may notice design consistencies with what can be seen at Nikko, which is so to say an altogether different look from the majority of what you see in Kyoto. Although you cannot walk inside the structure, you can walk around and understand it from varying perspectives.
Consider walking back to the city for views and introspection
Although you can reach the mausoleum via public transit, consider walking at least one way so that you can soak in the surrounding landscape. The mausoleum grounds are tucked away in one of the little valleys along this range of hills. On a foggy or rainy day, the river and its tapestry of a treeline forms an especially impactful sight. The Sendai City Museum is also in this general area, and there is a zoo at the top of the hill. Naturally, there are also plenty of opportunities for hiking, and all of this starts just a ten minute walk from a very busy part of the city.
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Gardens and places for prayer also grace these grounds
Before you go up the long stairway, at the lowest elevation point of the property, you will find a temple with a small, lovely garden to stroll through. Though not strictly specific to the Japanese aesthetic, gardens here, with their oft seen temple buildings and extended natural backdrops, frequently change appearance as you walk about the paths. Make your way on the small path at left, to the back of the temple, where there is even more, but less trodden, scenery to be imbued.
What he had, and what you have
Date Masamune and his clan brought regional supremacy to Sendai and a prosperity only dreamed of until then. A trip to this spectacle that celebrates his greatness makes for a fantastic stop on any tour of Sendai, and is sure to leave something enduring in your mind.
Admission costs 550 JPY (4.5 USD), and if you choose to ride public transit, you should opt for the Sendai “Loople” bus.
History
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