🌧️ Iroha Yokocho

— A small alley hidden behind the rain, hiding post-war stories in the heart of Sendai

After landing at Sendai Airport and picking up our rental car, the rain began to lighten—so much so that our initial plan to visit Sendai Castle was shelved. We headed straight to our accommodation in the city center before slowly revisiting our plans for the evening.

After checking in and dropping off our luggage, we planned to walk to “Iroha Yokocho,” a small alley that locals say is the place to go if you want to truly understand Sendai.

The atmosphere at night after the rain, the narrow streets are lined with orange signs and red paper lanterns. Some restaurants have only six to eight seats—this is where the city's oldest izakaya (traditional izakaya) is gathered. These small establishments, where the owners personally prepare everything, from preparing food to welcoming customers.

We strolled slowly, exploring each one, aiming to enjoy local cuisine and capture the charming, cramped atmosphere, a quality not found in larger cities. Most of the restaurants didn't have English menus, but every glance we made was warm and inviting, inviting us to explore.

It's said that this alley was created in 1946, after World War II. Sendai was almost completely destroyed at that time. People set up shop under small tents to start a new life. The name "Iroha" comes from Japan's old street numbering system, A-Ro-Ha (1-2-3), and is still used today.

In the middle of the alley is a small pond known as the Mosaic Well. It was once a community gathering place, used to draw water, share food, and encourage one another when the city was reduced to ashes. Today, it's decorated with mosaic tiles, a tiny heart of the alley, still beating through time.

Iroha Yokocho is more than just an ancient alley hidden from the rain. It's the proud, beating heart of Sendai—a testament to the era when people gathered at the Mosaic Well to start a new life. This spirit shines through the lights of the izakayas that continue to welcome visitors, whether on a casual night or during the city's warm celebrations.

#Sendai #IrohaYokocho #Miyagi #JapanTravel #HiddenGemJapan

Post by Mr. Choon | Oct 31, 2025