The Gateway to the Skies of Miyagi Prefecture! 6 Must-See Tourist Spots in Natori City!

Natori City is located in the south-central part of Miyagi Prefecture and faces the Pacific Ocean. The Natori River flows along the border with Sendai City, and at its mouth lies Yuriage Port, where ark clams—considered a luxury food item—are landed. With the Tohoku Expressway and National Route 4 running through the city, it is easily accessible by car. It's also conveniently located for train travel, with both the Tohoku Shinkansen and the Tohoku Main Line available. You can even fly in using Sendai Airport, the largest international airport in the Tohoku region.
Thanks to its excellent accessibility and its proximity to Sendai City, Natori sees a large number of visitors. In recent years, the city has been expanding its range of attractions to draw even more tourists. In this article, we’ll introduce some of the must-visit sightseeing spots in Natori City.

1. Kawamachi Terrace Yuriage

The popular commercial facility “Kawamachi Terrace Yuriage” is a landmark in Yuriage that was rebuilt after being devastated by the tsunami during the Great East Japan Earthquake. It opened in April 2019 on top of the Natori River embankment.
Kawamachi Terrace Yuriage features a row-house style of three single-story wooden buildings. With about 27 restaurants and shops where you can enjoy the flavors of Natori, it’s definitely worth a stop.

2. Sendai Airport Airport Museum “Tobuccha”

The Sendai Airport Airport Museum “Tobuccha” is a museum located inside Sendai Airport in Natori City. It is a bustling spot for tourists visiting Sendai or Natori and is perfect for spending time while waiting for a flight. It is especially popular with tourists because admission is free, and you can touch a real cockpit or try flying with a flight simulator.
In the cockpit boarding experience, you can feel the actual instruments and equipment used in pilot training. Since everything is real, the authenticity is thrilling. The flight simulator offers the experience of flying over Natori City on a CG screen for just 100 yen—an unforgettable opportunity.
You can also try out business class seating. Real business class seats used in a B747 aircraft are arranged, allowing you to experience their spacious comfort. Sendai Airport is a popular spot not only for tourists but also for Natori locals, so make sure to check it out.

3. AEON Mall Natori

AEON Mall Natori is a shopping center located along the Sendai Airport Access Line. It’s the go-to spot for shopping or hanging out with friends in Natori. Close to Sendai Airport and directly connected to Morisekinoshita Station on the Sendai Airport Access Railway, its accessibility is excellent. It’s used not only by tourists but also by many locals after work.
With a site area of approximately 158,000 square meters, total floor area of around 117,000 square meters, and total leasable space of 75,000 square meters, it is one of the largest shopping centers in the Tohoku region. With AEON Cinema, fashion, interiors, daily goods, and gourmet offerings, you’ll never get bored spending a full day here. The variety of stores makes it easy to find almost anything you need.
It also supports the daily needs of Natori citizens with a rich selection of food products. The spacious interior makes shopping comfortable. Thanks to the nearby airport, many foreign visitors stop by, and the mall is well-stocked with souvenirs. It’s also ideal as a base for sightseeing in Sendai.

4. Mt. Gosha (Goshazan) and Mt. Sotoyama

Mt. Gosha in Natori City is a low mountain with an elevation of 295 meters. It is designated as a Miyagi Prefecture Natural Environment Conservation Area and is a richly forested satoyama within Natori. It’s popular among hikers but may not be well-known to general tourists.
This nature-rich area is home to various animals and plants. In spring, you can walk along the nature observation trails and see wildflowers like violets and yamatsutsuji, and enjoy birdwatching. It’s highly recommended for hiking and photography enthusiasts.
There’s a trail map for the Goshazan Nature Observation Route before the trailhead, so even first-time visitors can feel at ease. However, the trail includes elevation changes, so come prepared. Next to Goshazan is Mt. Sotoyama, the tallest mountain in Natori City at 314 meters. Despite its modest height, the panoramic view from the summit, including the Pacific Ocean, is truly worth seeing! Be sure to visit while touring Natori.

5. Nachigaoka

While not widely recognized yet as a tourist destination, “Nachigaoka” is a spot we highly recommend. From its observation deck, you can gaze upon the nightscapes of Natori and Sendai, and the view is truly breathtaking. You can even enjoy the lights along the Pacific coastline—making it a popular spot for visitors from Sendai more than Natori locals.
The shimmering starlit sky, the lights of passing airplanes, neon from buildings, and car headlights all come together in a dreamy panorama. It’s the perfect place to end your sightseeing in Natori with a beautiful night.

6. Yuriage Port Morning Market

The Yuriage Port Morning Market is located near the sea in Natori, an area that flourished as a fishing port since the Edo period. The market is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. On weekends, by around 9 AM, the parking lots are full and the market is packed.


If you’re visiting for tourism, we recommend the seaside BBQ. You can buy fresh seafood and vegetables on the spot and grill them yourself—a hugely popular activity. Be sure to go early to secure a spot.
Yuriage is also famous for ark clams, so much so that a Michelin three-star sushi restaurant uses only Yuriage ark clams. In Sendai or Natori, you can enjoy them for prices unthinkable in the Tokyo area. When in season, tourists come from all over Japan to get a taste, so if you're a fan or curious, don’t miss the chance when visiting Natori.
With the motto “Good products for less,” around 50 shops line the market, offering fresh seafood from Yuriage and locally grown produce. It’s also a great place to pick up souvenirs. You might be tempted to buy everything, so watch out not to overdo it!

◎ Summary

With Sendai Airport located in Natori, the city welcomes many tourists from all over Japan. As an international airport, the number of foreign visitors is also increasing. The Yuriage area of Natori was heavily damaged by the earthquake and tsunami, but thanks to the strong will and effort of the local people, the city has made great strides in its recovery. When you visit Natori, shop, explore, and contribute to its ongoing restoration.