MIYAGI SANT JUAN BAUTISTA MUSEUM

The Miyagi Sant Juan Bautista Museum (the Sant Juan Museum) tells the story of the feats accomplished by the Keicho Mission to Europe, which embarked from Ishinomaki on the Sant Juan Bautista, a wooden galleon, some four centuries ago. The museum also enlightens visitors on Japan's sailing culture. Visitors will enjoy a faithful 1:4 scale reproduction of the ship, constructed in 1993, along with augmented reality (AR) content with information on the ship and visuals showing how it appeared with its sails unfurled. The museum is delightful for a family visit with children, not just the history buffs.

MAKING A VISIT

Directions

Miyagi Sant Juan Bautista Museum

30-2 Aza-Omori, Watanoha, Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi-ken 986-2135

Shinkansen/train

Route 1: JR Sendai Station → JR Ishinomaki Station on the JR Senseki Line → JR Watanoha Station → walk/taxi
From JR Sendai Station, take a train on the JR Senseki Line bound for Ishinomaki for 1 hr 28 min and get off at JR Ishinomaki Station.
From JR Ishinomaki Station, take a train on the JR Ishinomaki Line bound for Onagawa for 10 min and get off at JR Watanoha Station. Then, walk for 25 min or take a taxi for 5 min to reach the museum.

Route 2: JR Sendai Station → JR Ishinomaki Station on the JR Senseki Tohoku Line → JR Watanoha Station → walk/taxi
From JR Sendai Station, take a train on the JR Senseki Tohoku Line bound for Ishinomaki (outbound) for 1 hr and get off at JR Ishinomaki Station.
From JR Ishinomaki Station, take a train on the JR Ishinomaki Line bound for Onagawa for 10 min and get off at JR Watanoha Station. Then, walk for 25 min or take a taxi for 5 min to reach the museum.

Route 3: JR Sendai Station → JR Ishinomaki Station on the JR Senseki Line or the JR Senseki Tohoku Line → taxi
From JR Sendai Station, take a train on the JR Senseki Line bound for Ishinomaki or a train on the JR Senseki Tohoku Line bound for Ishinomaki (outbound) and get off at JR Ishinomaki Station.

Car (from Sendai)

Tohoku Expressway Sendai Minami IC → Sendai Nanbu Road → Sendai Wakabayashi JCT → Sendai Tobu Road → Matsushima Osato IC → Sanriku Expressway → Ishinomaki Kanan IC → Pref. Road No. 16 → Nat'l Route 398 → Pref. Road No. 2 → Mangoku Bridge → Sant Juan Park
Distance 73 km / Travel time 1 hr 18 min

FACILITIES

The museum, set on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the Oshika Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean, is surrounded by the Italian gardens at Ishimaki City Sant Juan Bautista Park. The facilities were designed to follow the contours of the terrain, with the observation tower and dock built into the hillside to preserve the original landscape. The museum opened in 1996.

サン・ファン・インフォメーションセンター
Setting sail

Set sail on the high seas with Tsunenaga! Realistic sounds and visuals recreate the scene of the ship departing from the modern-day Tsukinoura area of Ishinomaki.

立体駐車場
Samurai FAXICURA`s Strange Voyage to Europe

The long panel displays a reproduced painting by artist Akira Yamaguchi. It allows you to take in the Keicho Envoy's journey at a glance.

サン・ファン・インフォメーションセンター
Globe of All Nations on Earth

This globe is based on a 17th-century map of the world, "Kunyu Wanguo Quantu (Complete Map of All Nations on Earth)." It provides a sense of the scale of the Keicho Envoy's journey.

ローマ教皇との謁見式（展示室）
Audience with the Pope

A detailed, three-dimensional relief recreates the audience the Pope granted to Hasekura Tsunenaga. The illumination of the colorful image provides a sense of the mood during this moment in history.

シアター映像「夢うつつ」
Film Theatre- "Yume-Utsutsu"

Experience the story of Date Masamune and Hasekura Tsunenaga on the big screen in this 22-minute short film. The powerful images combining animation, live-action, and computer graphics are a must-see!

The Story of the DATE Black Ship (Kurofune)
The Story of the DATE Black Ship

Large illustrations clearly and thoroughly explain the process of constructing the galleon, life on board, and navigation techniques. Step into this world at the VR corner, where you can explore the galleon's interior!

屋外広場
Outdoor Plaza

The dog pool, where the wooden replica ship was on display before the renovation, is now a plaza with a 1/4 scale replica of the ship on display. Make sure you come view this ship that Hasekura Tsunenaga and his crew rode across the open sea.

立体駐車場
Reconstructed Sant Juan Bautista Ship Parts

View realistic reproduction of parts from the galleon. The dragon figurehead and the Kuyo crest are impressive sights! Get a close-up look at these ornate decorations.

Ishinomaki City Sant Juan Bautista Park

Ishinomaki City Sant Juan Bautista Park (or simply Sant Juan Park) is next to the Sant Juan Museum. It was created to commemorate the historic achievements of the Keicho Mission to Europe, as well as to contribute to cultural activities involving city residents and to provide them with a place for recreation. At Sant Juan Plaza, which also serves as an event venue, you'll find playground equipment, a grassy lawn, and places to relax.

サン・ファン広場
Fountain
DREAM BELL 夢をかなえる鐘
DREAM BELL
サン・ファン・インフォメーションセンター
Sant Juan Information Center (rest area)

The indoor space is where you can pick up pamphlets about the land spanning the Sanriku region and the Ishinomaki area, as well as the Oshika Peninsula. You can also receive sightseeing information from the staff. There is a break space where you can buy a drink from a vending machine and sit down for some food and beverages. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

立体駐車場
Sant Juan Park Parking Garage

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (The park is always open.)
Parking spaces: 310 for regular vehicles (up to 2.1 meters tall) | adjacent large vehicle and bicycle/motorcycle parking