Things to Do in Kami (加美町), Miyagi: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kami (加美町) in Miyagi Prefecture (Tohoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Urushizawa Dam, Daimyōjin Yama (大明神山), Kamuro Dake (小鏑山) and served by Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) via the regional hub at Sendai Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Sendai Airport (SDJ). Set at 196 m elevation (38.5943°N, 140.6969°E), Kami offers travelers a base for sampling regional Gyutan (charcoal-grilled beef tongue), Zunda mochi (sweet edamame paste), Matsushima oysters cuisine and exploring neighboring Shikama (色麻町) (11.5 km), Ōhira (大衡村) (19.8 km), Taiwa (大和町) (20.8 km), Ōsaki (大崎市) (22.6 km).

Kami is located in west-central Miyagi Prefecture, bordered by Yamagata Prefecture to the west. Parts of the town are within the borders of the Funagata Renpō Prefectural Natural Park. The area of present-day Kami was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Jōmon period by the Emishi people. Kami District is mentioned in early Nara period records. The economy of Kami is largely based on agriculture, primarily the cultivation of rice. Within Miyagi Prefecture, Kami (加美町) serves as a town (町) in Miyagi Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Pine-clad islands of Matsushima Bay (one of Japan's Three Views), Date Masamune samurai heritage in Sendai, emerald Zao Okama crater lake, and Naruko Onsen.

What to See & Do in Kami (加美町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kami (加美町) from Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) at 196 m elevation (38.5943°N, 140.6969°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kami):

• Urushizawa Dam — local sightseeing landmark near Kami (加美町).
• Daimyōjin Yama (大明神山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kami (加美町).
• Kamuro Dake (小鏑山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kami (加美町).
• Yakurai San (薬莱山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kami (加美町).
• Sasakura Yama (笹倉山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kami (加美町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kami: Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) (connecting to Sendai Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Sendai Airport (SDJ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kami

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kami (加美町) and Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Miyagi Prefecture and Tohoku:

• Shikama (色麻町) — 11.5 km from Kami (Miyagi Prefecture)
• Ōhira (大衡村) — 19.8 km from Kami (Miyagi Prefecture)
• Taiwa (大和町) — 20.8 km from Kami (Miyagi Prefecture)
• Ōsaki (大崎市) — 22.6 km from Kami (Miyagi Prefecture)
• Mogami (最上町) — 24.3 km from Kami (Yamagata Prefecture)

Getting to Kami & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kami (加美町) via Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km): 1h 31m from Tokyo Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa to Sendai. From Sendai Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Sendai Airport (SDJ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) to reach central Kami (38.5943°N, 140.6969°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sendai with Kami (加美町) and neighboring Shikama, Ōhira, Taiwa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kami, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kami and continuing toward Shikama can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kami: While Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) anchors public transit for Kami, picking up a rental car at Sendai Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Sendai Airport (SDJ) makes it easy to link Urushizawa Dam and Daimyōjin Yama (大明神山) with nearby Shikama (色麻町) (11.5 km), Ōhira (大衡村) (19.8 km), Taiwa (大和町) (20.8 km), Ōsaki (大崎市) (22.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kami (加美町) & Miyagi

Dining near Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) and across Kami (加美町) highlights the regional food culture of Miyagi Prefecture and Tohoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kami:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kami (加美町): irrigated paddy rice cultivation, seasonal produce, and rural satoyama landscapes alongside regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Gyutan (charcoal-grilled beef tongue) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kami (加美町) and Miyagi Prefecture.
• Zunda mochi (sweet edamame paste) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kami (加美町) and Miyagi Prefecture.
• Matsushima oysters — regional specialty enjoyed across Kami (加美町) and Miyagi Prefecture.
• Sasakamaboko (bamboo-leaf fish cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kami (加美町) and Miyagi Prefecture.
• Sendai-style sushi — regional specialty enjoyed across Kami (加美町) and Miyagi Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kami (加美町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km).

Where to Stay in Kami (加美町)

Visitors staying overnight in Kami (加美町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sendai (Sendai Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Sendai Airport (SDJ)) or neighboring Shikama, Ōhira, Taiwa for quick train access into Kami. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kami & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kami (加美町, 196 m elevation at 38.5943°N, 140.6969°E): April for Shiroishi River cherry blossoms; August 6–8 for the Sendai Tanabata Festival; October–November for Naruko Gorge autumn foliage.

Wider sightseeing across Miyagi Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Urushizawa Dam in Kami (加美町) includes: Pine-clad islands of Matsushima Bay (one of Japan's Three Views), Date Masamune samurai heritage in Sendai, emerald Zao Okama crater lake, and Naruko Onsen.

Practical Travel Tips for Kami (加美町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kami: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sendai Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Sendai Airport (SDJ) or Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) for local bus schedules to Urushizawa Dam and walking maps of Kami (加美町).
• Cash & ATMs in Kami: Convenience stores and major hotels around Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Urushizawa Dam often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kami accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kami: Around Nakayamadaira Onsen Station (中山平温泉駅) (14.9 km) and neighboring Shikama, Ōhira, Taiwa, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.