Japan's "Ice King" Habuyuki was recognized by the International Skating Federation (ISU) as the first player to complete the 4A in history at the recently concluded "Winter Olympics 2022"! Although it is impossible to achieve the Winter Olympic Gold Medal Triple Championship, but the spirit of constantly challenging themselves has touched the audience again, this time to take everyone to Sendai, the hometown of Habu Knot, and make a pilgrimage to the footprints of Habu Knot!
A photograph of Yusei returning to his hometown of Sendai to hold a triumphal parade after winning the Olympic gold medal
▋(1) Sendai Station: Hatsu stand card in a kimono
The first stop is from Sendai Station! At the Sendai City Tourist Information Center on the second floor of Sendai Station, in addition to various tourist leaflets and information about Sendai, there are also large Feather Knot String Boards to welcome visitors to Sendai. The Japanese kimono (Habu hakama) worn by HabuYuki in Kanban is Sendai's famous traditional textile "Sendai-hei", which was personally created by Sendai-hei's craftsmen for Habuyuki and printed with the family print of the Habu family on the dress. Before you start your journey, don't be shy to take a photo with Yusei!
The Sendai City Tourism Information Center is located on the 2nd floor of Sendai Station
Inside there is a large kanban with a feather knot string
Sendai-hei
Sendai hei is a traditional Textile of Sendai and has been selected as an important intangible cultural property of the country. The high-grade textile fabrics used are very strong and not easy to wrinkle, and because they have a bright luster, they are often used in high-grade giveaways, and now the manufacturer only has one company, "Joint Venture Sendaihei", and in addition to making Japanese kimono, long clips, business card holders and other commodities are also very popular. In 2018, when Yusuke Yusuke won Japan's National Honor Award, he wore this dress to receive the award, and Sendai Hei also took this opportunity to be known to more people.
In 2018, Yusuke Habu was awarded the Japanese National Honor Award for wearing a Hakama that was made from Sendaihei
▋(2) Kokusai Center Station: Yusei Yushin's own handprint
Then take the Subway Tozai Line from Sendai Station to "Kokusai Center Station" (Kokukusai Center Station) (Kokukusai Center Station), which in April 2017 set up a commemorative plaque for two figure skaters, Yusuke Habu and Shizuka Arakawa, as well as their own handprints, and became one of the important spots for fans on the pilgrimage. After Yusheng Yuxian won the Winter Olympic gold medal for the second consecutive championship, a second upright card was set up, and the posture on the standing card represented the classics of the two Olympic Games, witnessing the brilliant record written by Yusheng Yuxin!
The three humanoid panels of the International Center Station are centered on the hanyu knotted panels in the middle and on the right.
The handprint next to the plaque is also a place worthy of pilgrimage.
▋(3) Gosuma: The birthplace of Japanese figure skating
Located next to Kokusai Center Station, Gosuma is actually the birthplace of Japanese figure skating. It is said that in 1897, a foreign missionary taught children figure skating on the gossa swamp that was frozen in winter, beginning the history of figure skating in Japan. This is also the reason for the establishment of the international center station for two skaters from Sendai, Yusuke Habu and Shizuka Arakawa. Surrounded by green leaves and beautiful scenery in all seasons, the scenery is still beautiful after snow, although it is no longer frozen in winter.
A 3-minute walk from Kokusai Central Station will take you to Gosenuma
As an important milestone in Japanese figure skating, it is also one of the highlights of the pilgrimage journey.
▋(4) Osaki Hachimangu: Habu's handwritten painting of horses
Built on the instructions of Emperor Masamune Date, Osaki Hachimangu Shrine has been a shrine visited by Sendai people since ancient times when they have important prayers, and is the only designated national treasure in Sendai City, and its gorgeous and bright appearance is characteristic of Momoyama architecture. Yusei Yuki came here in 2017 to pray for the competition, and the painted horses written in his own handwriting that year were also publicly displayed for the general public to visit. In addition to the prayers of the general public, you can also see many fans praying for the blessing of Habuyuki in the painted horse area.
Ōsaki Hachiman
- Jibo: 4-6-1 Hachiman, Seiyō-ku, Sendai-shi, Songcheng Prefecture
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (24 hours a day)
・ Access: Take the sightseeing bus "LuKuel Sendai" to "Osaki Hachimangu" and get off
▋(5) Akiho Shrine: The Flag of Victory of Habu Knot Is Magnificent
With a history of 1,200 years, many athletes come to Akiho Shrine to pray for victory in the name of the god of victory and defeat. Before the 2014 Winter Olympics, the shrine gave the flag of victory to Habu Yushin, and after winning the gold medal, Habu Yushin also returned to visit here. Before the 2022 Winter Olympics, many fans also bought victory flags for Yusei, and reached a hundred victory flags before the competition, which was very spectacular!
Akiho Shrine
- Jibo: 22 Shimizu Kubo Kita in Akibo-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Sashiki Prefecture
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (24 hours a day)
・ Access: From Sendai Station, take the Miyagi Kochi Akiho Line to Akiho Shrine and get off at Akiho Shrine, which takes about 50 minutes
Attractions along the way: Akiho Hot Spring, Leilei Gorge, Akiho Waterfall
If you're visiting Akiho Shrine, don't miss the nearby Akiho onsen area, which has a variety of hot spring inns, so it's perfect for a day trip to the hot springs or a one-night stay here. There are also many attractions nearby where you can take a slow walk and take a ride. Lei Lei Gorge is a lover's shrine in the Autumn Pao Hot Spring Area, and it is very pleasant to walk by the river and enjoy the four scenic spots. The Akiho Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls with beautiful scenery in all four seasons, is also worth visiting, so if you have the opportunity, you must take a closer look and feel the charm of the 55-meter-high waterfall.
There is a naturally formed heart-shaped swamp next to Leilei Gorge, so it is considered a holy place for lovers.
Winter snow with waterfalls has a unique flavor.
▋(6) Sendai Ice Rink: The skating origin of Shonen Habu!
Yusei Habu began practicing skating at the age of 4, and the Sendai Ice Rink (アイスリンク Sendai) was his skating origin, where he met his first mentor, Tsukiichiro. When the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, Yusuke Yusuke, who was still in high school, happened to be practicing at the Sendai Ice Rink, and the earthquake immediately escaped directly in his skates, but fortunately there was no major problem. There are also many children who dream of skating here. The Sendai Ice Rink offers a rental of skates, so let's take a feel for the atmosphere of Yu Yu's practice that year!
Sendai Ice Skating Rink
- Jibo: 9-2 Takatama-cho, Izumi-ku, Sendai-shi, Sashiki Prefecture (in SPORTS LINK CITY FUN-TE!)
・Hours: Weekdays 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., weekends and holidays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
・ Access: From Izumi Chuo Station on the subway, take the Miyagi Transit Bus for about 5 minutes and get off at Kotamachi Park-mae
▋(7) Nanchi kitita Park: Yu yusuke's childhood memories
Nana kitada Park can be said to have accompanied Yusei's childhood, from various training to school activities, it will often be carried out in this park, and the alma mater, Seven Kitita Elementary School, is also near here, which is a place full of memories for Habu Yuki. On the occasion of the second consecutive Olympic championship, Shichi kitita Park planted a commemorative cherry blossom tree for Habu Yuki, so don't forget to take a souvenir photo when you come to the pilgrimage! Nanchikita Park can be reached on foot from Izumi Chuo Station, and you can stop by on your way back from the Sendai Ice Rink.
Seven North field park
- Jibo: 78 Shichikitada-ji Yanagi, Izumi-ku, Sendai-shi, Sakugi Prefecture
・ Access: 5 minutes on foot from Izumi Chuo Station
▋Let's play Sendai with Habu players! Sendai transportation discount tickets are generally sorted out
The above is an introduction to the seven sendai attractions of Habu Knot, and finally a brief introduction to the transportation and discount tickets recommended in Sendai Mobile. Fans who like Habu players, next time arrange a Trip to Sendai and play Sendai with Habu Knot!
Sendai Sightseeing Bus "LuKuro-e-Sendai"
"LuKuro'er Sendai" is a one-way circular sightseeing bus departing from Sendai Station, passing through sendai Castle Ruins, Seohoden Temple and other well-known attractions in Sendai. The price of one ride is 260 yen, and it is recommended to purchase a 620 yen one-day pass for more than three rides. Suitable for taking a sightseeing bus to pilgrimage sites such as Gosenuma and Osaki Hachimangu Shrine.
Related: Visit Date Masamune on the "LuKuro-Gra sendai Bus" and get the best spots in Sendai city in half a day!
Sendai Subway
Sendai City has two subway lines, the "North-South Line" and the "East-West Line", and the price of the one-day pass is 840 yen on weekdays and 620 yen on weekends and holidays respectively, so it is recommended to use the one-day pass for cheaper weekends or holidays. Suitable for taking the subway to pilgrimage attractions are Kokusai Center Station, Sendai Ice Skating Rink, and Nanabita Park.
Extended reading: East-West line, Sendai is more fun! ——The subway one-day pass attraction guide
Sendai Sightseeing Bus "LuKuro-e-Sendai"
Sendai Subway East-West Line
Sendai One-Day Pass "SENDAI AREA PASS"
If you want to go to the Akiho Onsen area on the same day, it is recommended to purchase the Sendai One-Day Pass "SENDAI AREA PASS" from JR East. With this ticket, you can use the JR Route Train in the suburbs of Sendai, the Sendai City Subway, the Sightseeing Bus, and the bus to Akiho Onsen. A one-way bus ride to Akiho Onsen costs 840 yen, while the "SENDAI AREA PASS" is priced at 1,320 yen, which is a good deal for the day. However, it should be noted that it can only be purchased by passengers with "short stay".
Extended reading: Tohoku Sendai free travel transportation recommended tickets! Sendai One-Day Pass "SENDAI AREA PASS"
The bus to Akiho Onsen has a red and white appearance
Sendai One Day Ticket
Fans can't wait to go on a pilgrimage after reading the above introduction? Sendai is where Habuyuki grows, so not only the above places, but also sendai's well-known attractions, shopping streets, small shops in alleys, etc., may have the opportunity to find habu knots. Don't forget to spend some time during the pilgrimage, but also take time to savor the scenery and food of Sendai!
Tohoku Sendai "Habu Yuki 7 Major Attractions" Tour! Habu riders paint horses in their own hands, and pilgrimage to the birthplace of Japanese figure skating | Tesco! Japan