Major city · Japan
Sendai仙台
Give Sendai two nights as a Tohoku base: 90 min from Tokyo by Shinkansen, cheaper than Kyoto, and Matsushima is 40 min away.
Sendai is the largest city in Tohoku and the capital of Miyagi, about 1 million people, 90 minutes from Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen. The centre was flattened in the war, so this is a green, walkable modern city rather than a temple town: covered arcades, a castle ruin on a hill, and easy day trips to the coast at Matsushima and Ishinomaki. Most travellers use it as a two-night base for Miyagi, not as a destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Jul (rainy season), Aug (humid, typhoon season)
- Airport
- SDJ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sendai110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sendai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyOne of Japan's safer big cities, including for solo and late-evening travel.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSDJ Sendai Airport (Sendai Airport Access railway to JR Sendai Station, 17–25 min, about ¥650 (≈ US$5); trains every 20–30 min.).
- Getting aroundTwo subway lines (Namboku north–south, Tozai east–west) plus a bus network.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealRamen or soba¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9)
- Beerdraught in an izakaya / can at a konbini¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideSubway ride¥210–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or capsule bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥14,000 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SDJ Sendai Airport (Sendai Airport Access railway to JR Sendai Station, 17–25 min, about ¥650; trains every 20–30 min.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sendai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Two subway lines (Namboku north–south, Tozai east–west) plus a bus network. The Loople Sendai loop bus reaches the main sights for ¥630 a day or ¥260 a ride, but runs one way only and stops by 17:00. The centre is compact and flat enough to walk using the covered arcades.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Matsushima
goDoor to door: About 1 h
JR Senseki line from Sendai to Matsushima-Kaigan, about 40 min
Bay views, Zuigan-ji and the pine islands; go early to beat the crowds.
Shiroishi
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
JR Tohoku line south from Sendai, about 50 min to Shiroishi, then bus to the castle
Original castle keep on the hill; pair with a sake brewery stop.
Ishinomaki
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
JR Senseki line from Sendai, about 1 h 10 min
Manga museum and the ferry pier for Tashirojima; a full day.
Tashirojima (cat island)
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
JR Senseki line to Ishinomaki, then ferry from Ajishima line
Ferries are few and the island has limited beds: check times before you go.
Naruko
overnightDoor to door: 2 h
JR Rikuu East line to Naruko-Onsen, about 1 h 40 min
Onsen town and gorge; too far for a comfortable return day.
Kesennuma
overnightDoor to door: 3 h
JR Kesennuma line from Sendai, about 2 h 30 min
Coast and seafood; sleep one night rather than rush back.
Kinkasan
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
JR Senseki line to Ishinomaki, then train and ferry via Ayukawa
Shrine island with deer; check ferry times and stay on the coast.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sendai Station area
Shinkansen, subway and bus hub; best for one or two nights with bags and for early day trips.
Ichibancho and Kotodai-koen
Covered arcade shopping and nightlife; 2 subway stops or a 15-min walk from the station.
Aoba-dori and Hirose-dori
Quieter business district between the station and the arcades; mid-range hotels, easy walking.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–18,000 (≈ US$75–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ¥14,000 | ¥28,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ¥13,000 | ¥52,000 |
| Sendai Airport Access, both ways2 × ¥1,300 | ¥2,600 |
| Loople Sendai one-day ticket2 × ¥630 | ¥1,260 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥8,890 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,440 per person per day, bed included | ¥97,750≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Gyutan teishoku (grilled beef tongue set) | ¥1,500–3,000 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Ramen or soba | ¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Beer: draught in an izakaya / can at a konbini | ¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Subway ride | ¥210–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Loople Sendai day ticket | ¥630 (≈ US$5) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Loople Sendai buses are small and crowded at weekends and in summer, and the last loop is before 17:00.Loople Sendai buses are small and crowded at weekends and in summer, and the last loop is before 5:00 PM.
- Some buses run only every 30 min outside the centre; check timetables before you commit.
- The Miyagi Museum of Art and Sendai City Museum have been closed for renovation at times: check the official sites.
- Typhoon season brings heavy rainstorms in late summer and autumn; build a wet-day plan.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Sendai仙台
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Sendai; most countries keep embassies in Tokyo and consulates in Osaka. The US has a consulate in Sapporo for the north (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sendai Airport → JR Sendai Station, Airport Access: about ¥650 (≈ US$5), 17–25 min
- Shinkansen Tokyo → Sendai, Hayabusa reserved: about ¥11,200 (≈ US$80), 1 h 30 min
- Loople Sendai, one ride / one day: ¥260 (≈ US$2) / ¥630 (≈ US$5)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sendai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Jul (rainy season), Aug (humid, typhoon season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SDJ: last Sendai Airport Access departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Sendai Station, Ichibancho and Kotodai-koen, Aoba Castle and the museum hill, Nagamachi.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Aoba Castle, Zuigan-ji, Ōsaki Hachiman Shrine, Sendai Mediatheque) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-day and typhoon fixtures so gates A–D can go green.