Sendai skyline

Sendai (仙台市) – Things to Do, Hotels & Travel Info

せんだいし

Prefecture - Miyagi Ken / 宮城県

Sendai Overview

Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tōhoku region. As of 1 August 2023, the city had a population of 1,098,335 in 539,698 households, making it the twelfth most populated city in Japan.

KANJI:

Sendai Key Statistics

population iconPopulation

1070757

area iconArea

786 km²

parks museums cafés iconParks / Museums / Cafés

510 / 25 / 310

Practical Essentials for Sendai

Meet-ups & Expat Community

Chat with locals tonight or join a language-exchange near the station.

Find Events ↗

EV Charging Map

all available CHAdeMO and CCS fast-charging points Sendai.

View Chargers ↗

Bike-Share & Cycling

Rent a bike by the hour and cruise the riverside paths.

Bike Rentals ↗

Transit & Timetables

Travellers can check live routes & timetables.

Emergency Phones

Police: 110  ·  Fire/Ambulance: 119

Nation-wide numbers, English assistance usually available.

Safety Tips ↗

About the City (Wikipedia)

Sendai history, administration, demographics and more.

Visit ↗

Getting Around Sendai

station

Sendai Main Station & Rail Lines

仙台 (Sendai)

train

Train Travel to Sendai

Sendai is connected via Japan Rail and local private lines.

car

Driving to Sendai

Accessible via Tomei Expressway and other national highways.

Real-Time Air Quality in Sendai

50

Good

Fresh skies above Sendai, – great day for outdoor plans.

Source: World Air Quality Index

Cover Your Trip to Sendai

Flight delays, medical bills, lost gear – SafetyWing backs you up from US $45 / 4 weeks.

Get Instant Quote ↗

What to Eat in Sendai

  • Slurp a steaming bowl of ramen at a tiny shop in Sendai downtown.
  • Walk the morning market and try ultra-fresh sushi in Sendai.
  • Grab late-night yakitori skewers near Sendai Station.
  • Pick up handmade mochi from a family confectioner in central Sendai.
  • Sip a glass of small-batch sake brewed on the edge of Sendai.

Hungry for more?

Street-food crawls, cooking classes & sake tastings — reserve now, pay later.

Book Food Tours ↗

Things to Do in Sendai

  • Visit one of Sendai’s 510 parks for jogging or cherry-blossom viewing.
  • Tour Sendai City Museum and 25 smaller galleries nearby.
  • Grab coffee at any of the 310 indie cafés around Sendai Station.
  • Walk the main food-street after dark and try local dishes unique to Sendai.

Book Tours Now

Walking tours, food crawls, day trips & more – reserve today, pay later.

View Tours ↗

Income & Living Costs in Sendai

¥5,200,000*est

Median household income / year

95*est /100

Price level vs Tokyo

Moving money internationally?

Send or spend Japanese yen with mid-market FX rates via Wise.

See Wise fees ↗

Best Hotels in Sendai

Hotel icon

東横イン

Book Now
Hotel icon

ホテルグリーンパレス (Hotel Green Palace)

Book Now
Hotel icon

三井ガーデンホテル仙台

Book Now
Hotel icon

ホテル プレミアムグリーンプラス

Book Now
Hotel icon

The Westin

Book Now
Hotel icon

コンフォートホテル

Book Now

Plan & Book Your Trip

Hotels

Find your perfect stay and save.

Browse Hotels

Flights

Compare airfares to Sendai.

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FAQ about Sendai

When was Sendai founded?

Sendai was founded on April 1, 1889.

How old is Sendai?

Sendai is roughly 137 years old.

What is the population of Sendai?

The latest estimate puts the population at about 1,070,757.

What is the land area of Sendai?

Sendai covers roughly 786 km².

What is the main railway station in Sendai?

The primary hub is 仙台 (Sendai).

How many parks, museums and cafés are in Sendai?

The city has roughly 510 parks, 25 museums and 310 cafés within a 5 km radius of the center.

Is Sendai expensive to live?

Sendai is generally more affordable than Tokyo, with lower rents and food costs outside the tourist core.

Do I need travel insurance for visiting Sendai?

Yes — hospitals in Japan can be costly for visitors. SafetyWing covers flight delays, medical emergencies and lost gear from about US$45 / 4 weeks. Get an instant quote ↗

How can I send money internationally while in Japan?

Wise lets you hold Japanese yen, move money at the mid-market rate and spend with a debit card for a small fixed fee — popular with both expats and long-term travellers.

Where can I book food tours or cooking classes in Sendai?

From street-food crawls to sake tastings and hands-on cooking classes, Sendai has flavour for every budget. Book food tours ↗

What tours are available in Sendai?

Guided walking tours, cultural excursions and day-trips run year-round. Most allow free cancellation and pay-later options. Explore tours ↗

Where can I access official city services in Sendai?

All resident services — permits, taxes, public records — are handled by the City Hall. Learn more ↗

Are there expat meet-ups or language exchanges in Sendai?

Sendai hosts a friendly international community with weekly events near the main stations and cafes. Find events ↗

Where can I charge my EV in Sendai?

CHAdeMO and CCS-compatible chargers dot convenience-store car-parks and highway rest-areas. View stations ↗

Can I rent a bike in Sendai?

Yes, hire a bike by the hour or day and cruise the riverside paths. Rent a bike ↗

How can I check public-transport routes in Sendai?

Use the official route planner for live subway, bus and tram times. Open planner ↗

Where is Sendai?

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

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