A Complete Sendai Itinerary: What to Do in Sendai & Where to Eat in Sendai
Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku Region of Japan so it always surprises me that it isn’t visited more often! In this Sendai itinerary, you’ll learn about the history of Sendai, what to do in Sendai, and where to eat in Sendai!
But first, a little history about Sendai. The city of Sendai dates back to 1601. Date Masamune, a prominent warlord, first founded it. Today it is the largest city in the Tohoku Region and is easily accessible from many parts of Japan. Sendai is nicknamed the “City of Trees” because of its abundant nature within the city and on the outskirts. When visiting Sendai don’t miss the interesting history, terrific shopping areas, charming streets, and unique food culture.
How to Get to Sendai
How to Get to Sendai from Tokyo
From Tokyo, the easiest and fastest way to get to Sendai is by taking the Akita or Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Ueno Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and costs ~¥11,810 one-way.
The most cost-effective way to get to Sendai from Tokyo is by taking the daytime or nighttime highway bus. Willer is a popular highway bus service in Japan that offers transportation between many different areas in Japan including Sendai. Rates range anywhere from ~¥3,200-6,100 one-way depending on the time of year, date of transit, and time of day you’ll be traveling.
Transportation in Sendai
Public Transportation in Sendai
Like most cities in Japan, Sendai has a network of train and subway systems that connect you to most major areas in the city. In addition, there are public buses that can connect you to things to do in Sendai outside the main area. However, a lot of attractions in the city are easily walkable.
Loople Sendai
The Loople Sendai is Sendai’s Sightseeing Bus that takes visitors to major tourist spots around Sendai City including Zuihoden Mausoleum, Sendai Castle Site, Bansuisodo, and Osaki Hachimangu Shrine.
The Loople Sendai departs from bus stop no. 16 at the Sendai Station West Exit every 20 minutes starting at 9am and ending at 4pm. There is no access from the street level so make sure you take the West Exit Pedestrian Deck from the 2nd floor of Sendai Station.
Buses are different everywhere you go in Japan so it’s important to know that to use the Sedai Loople Bus you will enter through the doors in the middle of the bus and exit through the door in the front.
Single rides cost 260 yen (adults) or 130 yen (children). You can pay when exiting by IC card or by cash. If paying by cash make sure to exchange cash before your stop at the fare box (up to 1,000 yen bills) because no change is given when departing. If you plan to take the Loople to a few locations you would be better off buying a one-day bus pass which allows unlimited rides.
One-Day Bus Passes
- Loople Sendai only: 630 yen (adults), 320 yen (children)
- Loople Sendai and Subway Pass: 920 yen (adults), 460 (children)
- Available at Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal Ticket Window
More Information About Loople Sendai
Sendai Area Pass (1-Day)
The Sendai Area Pass allows you to ride JR and subway lines, local buses, Sendai Airport Access Line, and Loople Sendai (sightseeing bus) as much as you like for one day. Including Sendai City, it also covers transportation in Matsushima, Yamadera, Shiroishi, and a few other surrounding areas.
Additional benefits of the Sendai Area Pass include discounts on admission fees or free postcards at select locations including the Sendai City Museum, Zuihoden Mausoleum, and the Miyagi Museum of Art.
- Cost: 1,320 yen (adults), 660 yen (children 6-11)
- Available for purchase at JR EAST Travel Service Center (JR Sendai Station, 2nd Floor)
Sendai Marugoto Pass (2-Day)
The Sendai Marugoto Pass covers the same transportation as the Sendai Area Pass however it allows you to travel on these lines for two days instead of one.
Additional benefits include a coupon book with special offers and discounts that can be used at popular tourist sites and dining establishments.
- Cost: 2,720 yen (adults), 1,350 yen (children 6-11)
- Available for purchase at JR ticket offices, reserved seat ticket machines, and JR East Travel Service Center and ticket vending machines at Sendai Airport Station.
More information about the Sendai Area and Marugoto Passes
Places to Stay in Sendai
Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai: We love Mitsui Garden Hotels and decided to stay in the Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai on a recent trip to Sendai which was perfect for us this trip because it is centrally located in the city and has parking for those traveling by car. // MAP
The Westin Sendai: The Westin Sendai is perfect for those looking for a four-star luxury accommodation still centrally located in Sendai City. The Westin Sendai offers amenities such as a fitness center, spa, nail salon, and weekly events. // MAP
Sendai Washington Hotel: On our first trip to Sendai we stayed at the Sendai Washington Hotel which was great for those traveling to Sendai that would like to have easy access to Sendai Station. // MAP
Look for Additional Sendai Hotels
Where to Eat in Sendai
Specialty Foods to Try in Sendai
When people think of foodie cities in Japan their first thoughts probably are Osaka or Tokyo whereas Sendai is not commonly mentioned. But in my opinion, Sendai is a TERRIFIC foodie city. Here are some of the Sendai specialty foods you should try!
- Hyonta-age: Balls of fish coated in corn dog batter and fried.
- Abura-age: Deep-fried soft tofu.
- Gyutan (beef tongue): Perhaps Sendai’s most iconic dish is right next to Zunda-an. You’ll find hundreds of yakiniku restaurants that specialize in tender slices of beef tongue.
- Sasa-kamaboko: A bamboo leaf-shaped fish cake grilled over hot coals until bubbly.
- Sushi: The Miyagi Prefecture has access to some of the best seafood in Japan. The majority is caught on the Sanriku Coast, one of the top fishing grounds in the world. There is even an entire street, Sushi-dori, inside Sendai Station that is dedicated to serving delicious sushi.
- Oysters: In addition to sushi, oysters are especially popular in Sendai. The Miyagi Prefecture ranks #2 for the production of oysters and #1 for the production of oysters for raw consumption. Miyagi Oysters are small but make up for their size in their big flavor.
- Zunda mochi: Zunda-an is a Sendai traditional sweet that cannot be missed! It is made from mashed edamame that is boiled and then sweetened. You can typically try it over chewy, fresh mochi or even a milkshake!
- Sake: The Tohoku Region is well known for sake production. Katsuyama Brewery and Moritami Brewery are two of the most famous sake breweries in Japan and are located in Sendai. Katsuyama Brewery is notable for supplying sake to the Date Clan. You can tour both of these sake breweries and taste different types of their sake or purchase some to take home!
Sendai Morning Market
Despite its name, the Sendai Morning Market is open until early evening. You can find stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, pickles, sweets, and tons of fresh seafood. On our most recent trip to Sendai, we picked out some tuna from one of the vendors and they sliced it for us so we could eat it at the small standing tables behind their stall. It was soooo fresh and buttery!
Location: Japan, 〒980-0021 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Central, 3 Chome−8−5 3F318号室 新仙台駅前ビル // MAP
Kotora
Kotora is an excellent yakiniku restaurant with a few locations in Sendai. You can choose between a course menu or ordering a la carte. We typically order a la carte so we can order what we want! Of course, try some gyutan (beef tongue) for which Sendai is known, but you can order any other cuts too! One of Logan’s favorites is always galbi which is slices of beef short ribes. In this case it was lightly marinated as well.
Location: Japan, 〒980-0803 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Kokubuncho, 2 Chome−9−37, Rainbow Station Bldg., 2F // MAP (Multiple other locations in Sendai available)
Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Sendai
- Dashiro: Has vegan and vegetarian ramen options.
- vegeto•LIKO: A strictly vegan cafe that offers many Japanese comfort foods in vegan form such as curry, karaage (fried “chicken”), and other dishes.
- Zaytoon: This Palestinian restaurant has terrific vegetarian, and vegan options like falafel, couscous, tabouleh, and hummus as well as halal meat options.
The Best Things to Do in Sendai
Visit Sendai Morning Market for Fresh Sashimi
One of Sendai’s foodie experiences that cannot be missed is getting fresh sashimi from Sendai Morning Market. There are countless stalls where you can select fresh fish sliced into sashimi. Any time there is a market where we can buy fresh fish, you’ll find us there! On our most recent visit to Sendai, we stopped in and picked a piece of tuna that the vendor sliced for us as sashimi pieces to enjoy alongside a bowl of rice and ponzu. We chose one that had both chutoro (medium fatty) and akame (lean), two of our favorite parts!
Location: Japan, 〒980-0021 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Central, 3 Chome−8−5 3F318号室 新仙台駅前ビル // MAP
Look at Traditional Tohoku Crafts at Shimanuki Honten
While in Sendai I highly recommend checking out a few of the Tohoku craft stores which sell regional crafts handmade by artisans from the area. These crafts include prefectural lacquerware, cherry bark woodcrafts, kokeshi dolls, and silk textiles. One of those stores to visit for such items is Shimanuki Honken which is the center for Tohoku folk crafts. It is always hard to avoid purchasing souvenirs to take home but I decided on a small kokeshi doll!
Location: Japan, 〒980-0811 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Ichibancho, 3 Chome−1−17 しまぬきビル １階 // MAP
Learn About the Date Family at Zuihōden
Zuihōden is perhaps the most famous temple complex in Sendai. Date Masamune (1567-1636) was a warlord who founded Sendai in 1601 making it the third-largest domain in Japan. He is known for his strategic deligations in Europe which initiated trade between parts of Europe and Japan.
At Zuihoden is the sacred burial site of the feudal lords of the Date clan, including Lord Masamune. These mausoleums are lavishly decorated with vibrantly colored architecture. Next door there is a small museum where you can view historical documents and archaeological survey work of the area.
Location: 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0814, Japan // MAP
Witness the Panoramic City Views from the Site of Sendai Castle
At the Sendai Castle Site, you can see the statue of Lord Date Masamune on horseback. While walking around you may also see performances by the Date Bushotai, who re-enact scenes from the times of Date Masamune while dressed in period samurai costumes. On a clear day don’t miss the panoramic view of Sendai City from here as well!
Location: 1 Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan // MAP
Visit the Oppulent Osaki Hachimangu Shrine
Osaki Hanchinmangu Shrine is a little outside of Sendai City but is still worth visiting. In the Edo Period when Date Masamune founded Sendai, he designated this area as sacred, and construction of Osaki Hachimangu was ordered and completed in 1607.
The main craftsmanship was built by renowned architects from Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama displaying rare Momoyama Period architecture. It is often regarded as an architectural masterpiece and designated as a National Treasure.
There are three deities enshrined at Osaki Hachimangu including 15th Emporer Ojin (200-310), 14th Emperor Chuai (149-200), and Empress Jingu (169-269). Date Masamune and his domain were highly devoted to the deities of the shrine believing that the kami brought success, fortune, and protection from evil spirits.
Throughout the year Osaki Hachimangu Shrine hosts several events and festivals, a tradition that has carried on for over 300 years. Some of the most popular are the Fire Festival and Matsutaki Matsuri, one of the largest New Year events in Japan. Thousands of people come to watch as decorations used for the annual New Year celebration are burned in dedication to the gods. But if you can’t make it for New Year’s, Osaki Hanchimangu has an event almost every month of the year!
Location: 4 Chome-6-1 Hachiman, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0871, Japan // MAP
Try Hyotan-age at Abe Kamabokoten
Hyotan-age is a popular Sendai street food! It is a fish cake called kamaboko which is deep-fried in corn dog batter. While shopping on Clisroad Shopping Street stop by Abe Kamabokoten which sells hyotan-age that you can enjoy as take-out or in the small dine-in area. They’re freshly fried and served hot with a nice swirl of ketchup! The batter is fluffy and compliments the delicate fish cake well.
Location: Japan, 〒980-0021 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Central, 2 Chome−3−18 阿部蒲鉾店本社ビル // MAP
Eat All Things Zunda
Sendai’s most popular sweet is zunda which is boiled young soybeans mashed into a coarse paste with sugar. The result is a fresh, earthy, and slightly nutty delicious sweet. You can find zunda in many desserts in Sendai, even in chocolate bars! But the two ways I recommend trying zunda is zunda mochi, which is pillowy mochi pieces covered with zunda, and the famous zunda milkshake.
There are two places I recommend trying a zunda milkshake the first is Zunda Saryo which is the most famous zunda sweets shop that has a terrific zunda vanilla milkshake where the zunda flavor shines through.
The second is Kikusuian which has a zunda and tea shake that cuts down on the sweetness. I enjoyed the tea flavor paired with the zunda. Regardless of which place you choose to get a zunda shake, you’ll get to enjoy this slightly sweet milkshake with the nutty flavor of zunda!
Learn More History at the Sendai City Museum
The Sendai City Museum is a fascinating place where you can learn more about Sendai City’s history, culture, and art. Featured exhibits include more information about Lord Date Masamune featuring Masamune’s personal armor and information on the Keicho mission to Europe.
Location: 26 Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan // MAP
Kotodai Park
Kotodai Park is located just outside of inner Sendai City and is a terrific place to enjoy seasonal foliage from spring sakura to autumn leaves. Additionally, it is just a short walk from Ichibancho shopping streets. Many annual events take place in Kotodai Park including the Sendai Aoba Festival and Jozenji Streetjazz Festival.
Location: 3 Chome Honcho, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0014, Japan // MAP
Annual Events in Sendai
Of course, if you can plan your Sendai itinerary around one of the yearly events, you should do it! My personal favorite is Sendai Tanabata during the summer but there are countless other interesting festivals to check out.
Sendai Aoba Festival: A festival for Lord Masamune that marks the coming of spring. The festival has suzume odori (the sparrow dance) which is performed to music as well as a parade of armored samurai warriors and floats.
- Mid-May
Sendai International Half Marathon is often regarded as one of Japan’s most popular running events. Over 10,000 runners visit annually to run through the zelkova-lined streets of Sendai while being cheered on by spectators.
- Early May
Sendai Tanabata Festival is the most well-known Tanabata festival in Japan. It is a special summer event where the city is colorfully decorated with thousands of traditional tanabata (star festival) decorations that are created from washi paper, bamboo, and other materials. On August 5 you can witness the display of over 16,000 fireworks to mark the start of the festival. The main streets of Sendai’s downtown become pedestrian only so you can enjoy wearing a summer yukata and walking around while enjoying the festival food and fireworks display.
- August 6-8
Jozenji StreetJazz Festival: This is one of the largest community-organized outdoor music festivals in the world. The entire downtown of Sendai becomes an open-air stage as hundreds of bands from Japan and around the world come together to showcase a wide range of music from jazz, rock, pop, and more.
- Mid-September
Sendai Pagent of Starlight: The beautiful zelkova trees that line Jozenji-dori Avenue are decorated with over 600,000 lights to create an astonishing nighttime illumination marking the winter season.
- Early December-December 31
READ MORE: A Complete Guide to Sendai Tanabata Matsuri
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