August

The correct answer is August. While Tanabata is generally held on July 7, the Sendai Tanabata Festival takes place over three days from August 6 to August 8 to align with the seasonal feel of the lunar calendar. It is a venerable traditional event that has continued since the era of Lord Date Masamune, and is famous as one of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku, alongside the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Akita Kanto Festival. During the festival, the city’s arcade streets are adorned with lavish streamers and bamboo decorations made of washi paper, drawing large crowds every year.

Hiyashi Chuka (cold ramen salad)

The correct answer is hiyashi chuka (chilled Chinese-style noodles). The restaurant Ryutei, located in Aoba Ward, Sendai, is known as the place where it originated. In 1937 (Showa 12), the owner at the time experimented to create a noodle dish that customers would enjoy even in summer, and came up with it under the name “ryobanmen.” It is also said that the colorful toppings were inspired by the vibrant decorations of the Sendai Tanabata Festival, making it a Sendai-born delicacy perfect for the hot season.

Date Masamune

The correct answer is Date Masamune. He was known by the nickname “The One-Eyed Dragon” and was the person who built Sendai Castle. He’s also famous for his helmet with a crescent-moon crest and for shaping the prototype of today’s cityscape of Sendai. The equestrian statue of Lord Masamune in Aobayama Park remains a beloved symbol watching over the city of Sendai.

beef tongue

The correct answer is gyūtan (beef tongue). Originating in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, it is known nationwide as a local specialty. It is said to have begun in the postwar period of food shortages, when chef Keishirō Sano devised it with the idea of creating a dish that no one else could imitate.

Hagi no Tsuki

The correct answer is Hagi no Tsuki. It’s a confection sold by Kasho Sanzen that is nationally famous as a Sendai specialty. Inside the fluffy castella sponge is a generous amount of smooth, original custard cream. Its appearance was designed to evoke the harvest moon floating over Miyagino’s sky, where bush clover blooms in profusion. Delicious chilled or warmed, it is a signature Miyagi souvenir beloved across generations.

Good morning, socks

The correct answer is “ohayō socks.” In regions centered around Miyagi Prefecture, this is what they call the state when a hole opens in a sock and a toe peeks out, as if the toe were saying hello. It’s a very unique and cute expression, especially used when the big toe is sticking out.

Sendai City

The correct answer is Sendai City. Sendai is a historic castle town affectionately known by the nickname “Mori no Miyako,” or “City of Trees.” It is also the only government-designated city in the Tohoku region and continues to develop as the economic, administrative, and cultural center of the entire Tohoku area.