Sendai: Damp Socks and the Search for Perfect Mochi
okay, so i just landed back from sendai, japan, and honestly? my socks are still a little damp. not like, soaking, but perpetually…suggestive of moisture. it’s a vibe. i was there chasing down a rumor about a mochi shop that supposedly makes dreams come true, or at least, really, really good mochi.
let me tell you, sendai is…a mood. it’s not screaming for attention like *tokyo, it’s more of a quiet hum. the people are incredibly polite, almost to a fault. i tried to ask for directions and ended up with a ten-minute bowing contest. i think i lost.
i just checked and it’s…a constant drizzle, apparently. hope you’re into that sort of thing. i packed all the wrong shoes. seriously, all of them. i’m pretty sure my sneakers are developing a sentient mold colony.
so, the mochi. the quest. it was…involved. i spent a solid afternoon wandering through these tiny, winding streets, getting hopelessly lost and occasionally stumbling upon the most amazing little ramen shops. i found a place near the train station that served ramen with a poached egg that was basically a cloud. Check out some ramen reviews on Yelp.
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i overheard some salarymen in a tiny izakaya complaining about the price of sake. apparently, it’s gone up. scandalous!
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but back to the mochi. i finally found the shop - “Mochiya Kobo” - tucked away on a side street. it was tiny, with a line stretching down the block. i waited for like, an hour, shivering in my damp socks. was it worth it? yes. absolutely. it wasn’t dream-altering, but it was the best mochi i’ve ever had. soft, chewy, perfectly sweet. i bought like, six. no regrets.
my airbnb was…interesting. the host didn’t speak a word of english, and i don’t speak any japanese beyond “arigato” and “konnichiwa.” communication was mostly done through frantic gesturing and google translate. it was charming, in a chaotic sort of way. if you’re looking for places to stay, TripAdvisor has a bunch of options.
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someone warned me about the local cats. apparently, they’re all secretly ninjas. i didn’t see any evidence of this, but i’m now constantly looking over my shoulder.
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apparently, if you get bored, matsushima* bay is just a short train ride away. i didn’t have time to go, but i heard it’s stunning. i’m adding it to the list for next time. i also heard from a fellow traveler that the local onsen (hot springs) are incredible, but you have to be okay with…full nudity. i chickened out.
weather-wise, it’s pretty consistent. expect dampness. pack accordingly. and bring cash. a lot of places don’t take cards. oh, and learn a few basic japanese phrases. it’ll make your life a lot easier. Here's a helpful guide. i’m already planning my return trip. i need more mochi. and maybe some waterproof socks. and a ninja cat detector. you can find more information about Sendai on the city's official tourism website: Sendai Tourism.
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