Gokoku Shrine

Built in 1904 on orders from Emperor Meiji, this shrine in Sendai honors more than 56,000 people from Miyagi Prefecture who died in service to the country from the mid-nineteenth century through World War II. The worship hall has a curved copper roof with a green patina, contrasting with its red wooden frame. Cherry blossoms fill the grounds in spring. An adjacent exhibition hall traces Japanese history from the Meiji Restoration through World War II using photographs, personal items, and memorabilia. Among the exhibits is a 1:100-scale model of the battleship Yamato. A small admission fee covers the exhibition hall, which has English signage.