About the Sendai-Miyagi Museum Alliance (SMMA)
SMMA is a joint project where various museums from the Sendai/ Miyagi area put together their intellectual resources, to acquire better functions for the region. SMMA aims to create a new-era museum that meets the needs of the region. To achieve this SMMA intends to gather knowledge and know-how from each museum’s curators and specialists, through joint events spanning several fields. SMMA also aims to do this by collaborating with school education, nurturing and assisting the talented people active in the region and by opening touristic attractions, efforts that were before hard to realise inside a single museum.
Participating Institutions
3M Sendai Science Museum
Located in the lush Dainohara Forest Park, there are 3 exhibitions rooms for natural history, science and engineering, as well as life systems where you can touch and try science for yourself.
4-1 Dainohara Shinrin Koen, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-0903
- Tel:
- (+81)22-276-2201
- E-mail:
- info@kagakukan.sendai-c.ed.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-16:45 (Entry permitted until 16:00)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, the 4th Thursday of every month, and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 550 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from Asahigaoka Station on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line
- URL:
- http://www.kagakukan.sendai-c.ed.jp/
Tohoku Fukushi University Serizawa Keisuke Art and Craft Museum
This museum presents the beautiful color and innovative design of dye artist Keisuke Serizawa who was a Living National Treasure.
1-8-1 Kunimi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8522
- Tel:
- (+81)22-717-3318
- Opening Hours:
- 10:00-16:30 (Entry permitted until 16:00)
- Closed Days:
- Sundays, National holidays, during the exhibition changing periods, university entrance examination days, days on which the university is closed
- Admission:
- 300 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from Tohoku Fukushidai-mae Station on the JR Senzan Line
- URL:
- https://www.tfu.ac.jp/kogeikan/
Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum
Traces of life from 20,000 years ago, found in the Tomizawa historic ruins, have been preserved and are on display to the public.
4-3-1 Nagamachi-minami, Taihaku-ku, Sendai 982-0012
- Tel:
- (+81)22-246-9153
- E-mail:
- t-forest@coral.ocn.ne.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-16:45 (Entry permitted until 16:15)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, the 4th Thursday of every month (Excluding national holidays and December), and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 460 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and exchange students)
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from Nagamachi-minami Station on the Namboku Subway Line
- URL:
- https://www.sendai-c.ed.jp/~bunkazai/~chiteinomori/english/
Sendai Yagiyama Zoological Park
Around 600 animals from 115 species from all over the world are displayed here according to their habitat and taxonomy at one of the largest zoos in northeastern region of Japan.
1-43 Yagiyama Honcho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai 982-0801
- Tel:
- (+81)22-229-0122
- Opening Hours:
- From March to October 9:00-16:45 (Entry permitted until 16:00), From November to February 9:00-16:00 (Entry permitted until 15:00)
- Closed Days:
- Wednesdays (Open on national holidays, but closed the following day), and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 480 yen (Discounts are available for groups)
- Admission:
- Short walk from Yagiyama Zoological Park Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line
- URL:
- https://www.city.sendai.jp/zoo/
Sendai Astronomical Observatory
A comprehensive astronomical museum equipped with a planetarium, astronomic exhibition room, and a 1.3 m diameter telescope called Hitomi.
9-29-32 Nishikigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai 989-3123
- Tel:
- (+81)22-391-1300
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-17:00 (Saturday until 21:30, Exhibition Room until 17:00). Entry permitted until 30 minutes before closing time.
- Closed Days:
- Wednesdays, the 3rd Tuesday of every month (Open on national holidays, but closed the following day), and New Year’s holidays *Open during the school holiday period.
- Admission:
- Exhibition Room 610 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students), Planetarium (1 time) 610 yen, Exhibition Room+Planetarium 1,000 yen
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from Ayashi Kanko bus “Nishikigaoka 7-chome kita/ Tenmondai Iriguchi”/Near Takeya Kotsu bus “Sendai-shi Tenmondai” bus stop
- URL:
- https://www.sendai-astro.jp/
Sendai City Jomon Site Park
This museum consists of a restored village that dates back to the prehistoric Jomon era, excavated at Yamada-Uenodai site. It offers workshops such as making earthenware.
10-1, Yamada Uenodai-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai 982-0815
- Tel:
- (+81)22-307-5665
- E-mail:
- j-hiroba@cap.ocn.ne.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-16:45 (Entry permitted until 16:15)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, the 4th Thursday of every month (Excluding national holidays and December), and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 200 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and exchange students)
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from Miyagi Koutsu bus “Yamada-Taihaku shobosho-mae” bus stop
- URL:
- https://www.sendai-c.ed.jp/~bunkazai/~jyoumon/english/
Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
Immerse yourself in Japan’s rich ocean environment with the giant ocean tank. Enjoy the largest dolphin and sea lion shows in northeastern Japan.
4-6 Nakano, Miyagino-ku, Sendai 983-0013
- Tel:
- (+81)22-355-2222
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-17:30 (Entry permitted until 30 minutes before closing *Subject to change on the season)
- Closed Days:
- None
- Admission:
- 2,400 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 15-minute walk from Nakanosakae Station on the JR Senseki Line
- URL:
- https://www.uminomori.jp/umino/
Sendai Literature Museum
This museum introduces literary figures associated with the hometown since the Meiji era(1868-1912), as well as current writers and cartoonists. Also on display are literary works related to the Great East Japan Earthquake.
2-7-1 Kitane, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-0902
- Tel:
- (+81)22-271-3020
- E-mail:
- bungakukan@sendai-lit.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-17:00 (Entry permitted until 16:30)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, the 4th Thursday of every month (Excluding national holidays and December), and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 460 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from “Kitane 2-chome/ Bungakukan-mae” bus stop
- URL:
- https://www.sendai-lit.jp/
Tohoku Gakuin University Museum
This museum organizes various exhibitions and projects based on the research on the history and culture conduced at the university. It is also a training ground for students to become museum curators.
1-3-1 Tsuchitoi, Aobaku, Sendai 980-0065
- Tel:
- (+81)22-264-6920
- E-mail:
- museum@mail.tohoku-gakuin.ac.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 10:00-17:00 (Entry permitted until 16:30)
- Closed Days:
- Sundays, National holidays, and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 200 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 5-minute walk from Itsustubashi Station on the Sebdai Subway Namboku Line
- URL:
- https://www.ipc.tohoku-gakuin.ac.jp/tgum/
Sendai Mediatheque
This public facility is a space for activities related to art and visual culture. Its up-to-date facilities include libraries, media archives, galleries, and studios.
2-1 Kasugamachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0821
- Tel:
- (+81)22-713-3171
- E-mail:
- office@smt.city.sendai.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-22:00 *Some services may have varying opening times
- Closed Days:
- The 4th Thursday of every month (Excluding national holidays and December), and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- Free (Exhibition and special events may charge admission)
- Admission:
- 6-minute walk from Kotodai-koen Station on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line
- URL:
- https://www.smt.jp/
Tohoku University Archives
The first archive of its kind in Japan preserves and exhibits the historical resources of Tohoku University. The building itself is historic and registered as a Tangible Cultural Property.
Tohoku University Katahira Campus, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577
- Tel:
- (+81)22-217-5040
- E-mail:
- desk-tua@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-17:00
- Closed Days:
- Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays, and New Year’s holidays (Except during special exhibitions)
- Admission:
- Free
- Admission:
- 10-minute walk from Aoba-dori Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line
- URL:
- https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/about/facilities/museums/31_tohoku_university_archives.html
http://www2.archives.tohoku.ac.jp/
The Tohoku University Museum
The museum exhibits precious specimens and materials collected from across the world by academic researchers, such as macro-and microfossils, minerals, ancient cultural properties, and animal skeletons.
6-3 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578
- Tel:
- (+81)22-795-6767
- Opening Hours:
- 10:00-16:00
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays, closed the following day), the Obon period (mid-August), the last Sunday in August, and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 150 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 3-minute walk from Aobayama Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line
- URL:
- http://www.museum.tohoku.ac.jp/english/english_index.html
Sendai City Museum
This museum houses materials related to Sendai’s history, culture and arts and crafts, including cultural assets donated by the Date family. Approximately 1,000 items are on permanent exhibition.
*Sendai City Museum will be closed from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024 for a major renovation.
26 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0862
- Tel:
- (+81)22-225-3074
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-16:45 (Entry permitted until 16:15)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 460 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 8-minute walk from the International Center Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line
- URL:
- https://www.city.sendai.jp/museum/museum/index.html
Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center
Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center constitutes a base for weaving wisdom and lessons thorough communication, with memories and experiences as vehicles, connecting them to the future and to the world.
85-4 Aza-Kutsugata, Arai, Wakabayasgu-ku, Sendai 984−0032
- Tel:
- (+81)22-390-9022
- Opening Hours:
- 10:00-17:00
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- Free
- Admission:
- Located within Arai Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line
- URL:
- https://sendai311-memorial.jp/
Botanical Gardens, Tohoku University
Stroll through this natural garden in the forests of Aobayama(Natural Monument). The flora on the slopes surrounding Sendai Castle has been protected since the castle’s founding in 1600.
12-2 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0862
- Tel:
- (+81)22-795-6760
- E-mail:
- garden-tu@biology.tohoku.ac.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-17:00 (Entry permitted until 16:00)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Garden is open from Vernal Equinox Day to November 30)
- Admission:
- 230 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 12-minute walk from International Center Station on the Sendai Subway Tozai Line
- URL:
- https://web.tohoku.ac.jp/garden/english/index.html
Sendai City Museum of History and Folklore
This museum introduces the lifestyle and history of Sendai since the Meiji era(1868-1912).This is the oldest wooden western-style building in the prefecture, which previously served as an army barracks.
1-3-7 Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai 983-0842 (in Tsutsujigaoka Park)
- Tel:
- (+81)22-295-3956
- E-mail:
- folkmuse@deluxe.ocn.ne.jp
- Opening Hours:
- 9:00-16:45 (Entry permitted until 16:15)
- Closed Days:
- Mondays (Open on national holidays), days following national holidays, the 4th Thursday of every month (Excluding national holidays and December), and New Year’s holidays
- Admission:
- 240 yen (Discounts are available for groups, children, and students)
- Admission:
- 7-minute walk from Tsutsujigaoka Station on the JR Senseki Line
- URL:
- https://www.sendai-c.ed.jp/~bunkazai/~rekimin/riyouannai/english_annai.html