【Overview of City of Shiogama 】 The city of Shiogama is located roughly in the middle of Miyagi prefecture, between the city of Sendai and the town of Matsushima - Matsushima being considered one of the three most scenic sites in Japan. In the city of Shiogama, there is the Shiogama Shrine, the Shiogama Marine Products Wholesale Center and so on. The Shiogama Shrine has a history of over 1,200 years and worships gods of safe birth, maritime safety and fine haul as their deities. At the Shiogama Marine Products Wholesale Center, fresh fish from the Shiogama port can be purchased at wholesale prices. Over 30 festivals of various sizes take place in Shiogama throughout the year. The Shiogama Hote Festival which takes place in March, has especially gained a reputation nationwide as one of the three roughest festivals for carrying portable shrines. The Shiogama Minato Festival is also counted as one of the three biggest ship festivals in Japan and is the biggest event of the city, attracting over 200,000 people. 【For further information, contact the following】 Fax No.: 81-22-364-1169 E-mail:info@kankoubussan.shiogama.miyagi.jp Web site: http://www.city.shiogama.miyagi.jp/ 【Access】 Public Transportation: Approximately 25 minutes from Sendai station to the Hon-shiogama station on the JR Senseki Line. Car:Approximately 40 minutes from Sendai station via Route 45.