Sendai City History and Folklore Museum

The Sendai City Museum of History & Folklore occupies the former barracks of the 4th Infantry Regiment, built in 1874 and extended in 1876. This is the oldest Western-style wooden building in Miyagi Prefecture, and the museum opened in 1979 in Tsutsujigaoka Park. The building served the Japanese army until 1945, was occupied by US forces until 1956, and functioned as a police academy until 1975. In 1977, the area was designated a public park, and the building was restored to its 1904 appearance.

The museum preserves and presents the lifestyle of ordinary people in the Sendai area, with particular significance given that Sendai was heavily damaged during WWII bombing campaigns, resulting in the loss of much historical material about daily life. The museum features three permanent exhibits covering agriculture and farmers' lives in the Sendai region, urban life in Sendai, and the lives of soldiers from the old Fourth Infantry Regiment. Materials related to war and peace are also exhibited, creating a comprehensive view of local history from the Meiji era onwards.

Visitors can explore reconstructed historical spaces including traditional farmhouses and period shops, alongside displays of everyday implements and traditional crafts. A hands-on learning room allows visitors to play with traditional Japanese toys and games. About half of the exhibits include English translations, making the museum accessible to international visitors. The museum also maintains a research library and archive for those seeking deeper historical information.

From Sendai Station west exit, take bus number 50 or 51 and walk 7 minutes from Haranomachi-1chome bus stop, or walk approximately 20 minutes through the east exit. The museum is also just 5 minutes from a closer station on the JR line. Admission costs ¥240 for adults and university students, ¥180 for high school students, and ¥120 for elementary and junior high school students. Parking is available at Tsutsujigaoka Park with space for up to 50 cars.