SUN MALL ICHIBANCHO shopping street

It was built as a south entrance to Tohoku’s first arcaded shopping street in 1954. The images of Lord Date Masamune, his helmet, his subordinate, Hasekura Tsunenaga, etc. decorate the street, which reflects the past grandeur of the “Movie Theater Town.”

From there to the east, Bunka Yokocho (Culture Alley) stretches, which is known for unique night restaurants. The name came from the Bunka Chinema, the theater in the former Shochiku Building. It is nicknamed as Bun Yoko to this day by locals. An alley south of Bunka Yokocho, Iroha Yokocho has two streets lined with all sorts of nearly 100 shops such as bookstores, music shops, clothing and general stores, and restaurants - it is so much fun to meander.

During the Ichibancho Sansha Festival in July, floats from Nonaka, Ebisu, and Warei Shrines, which are on the shopping street, march there to get the whole town into the festive air. In August, the shopping street becomes an arena for the Sendai Tanabata Festival, decorated with lovely streamers.