A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park vs. Sendai for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a world renowned, majestic, and dramatic national park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking and museums.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sendai. Although Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Sendai are both popular with visitors, Sendai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sendai is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is popular for its iconic peak, pristine lakes, rugged coastline, and timeless forests. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also home to the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sendai and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Sendai and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Due to its spiritual nature, there have been many shrines built at the base of Mount Fuji. You can visit the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, which is one of the most significant. Hakone also has many art museums as well as the fascinating Hakone Open-Air Museum.

Many visitors head to Sendai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

Is the Food Better in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sendai is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sendai is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. If you're planning to climb Mount Fuji, you'll want to make reservations for meals at the mountain huts. Dinner is typically a curry rice and a take away breakfast is usually available that has simple ingredients.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Sendai has something for everybody. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a popular place for the beach. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a beach destination.

Sendai is a good option for a beach vacation. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Hiking?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are hikes within each of the sections of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, but the most famous section is the area around the iconic Mount Fuji. The climbing season is between July and mid September and there are four main trails that lead to the summit. You can take a bus to the Fifth Station and pick up any of the trails at that point. There are also mountain huts where you may take a rest or spend the night. In the Hakone area, you'll find hot springs and several popular trails such as the Hakone Ropeway and the Mount Kamiyama and Mount Komagatake Trail. The Izu Peninsula is known for its dramatic coastline, rugged cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls. Finally, the Izu Islands are a string of islands that can be reached by ferry.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Sendai is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. As Japan's most visited national park, you'll find many trails and activities for families. There are a number of kid-friendly hiking trails, as well as nature courses and educational programs.

Sendai is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Couples?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The park is an iconic setting, and couples who enjoy nature will appreciate the forested setting with its waterfalls, lava caves, and stunning natural beauty. The park has beautiful sweeping views that will take your breath away.

Sendai is a good national park for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Because it's a popular tourist destination, transportation to and from the park is relatively easy. There are also a number of amenities and resources available that will help backpackers enjoy their trip.

Sendai is a good national park to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its public transit.

Sendai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park has a few public transit options. There are train and bus systems within the park that connect the different sections. In the Mount Fuji area, buses leave from the Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Stations. Transportation may take longer than you expect, so it's best to plan accordingly.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai a more walkable city?

Sendai is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its walkability.

Sendai is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is somewhat walkable. There are countless hiking trails throughout the park that give you access to the region's natural beauty.

For even more information, also check out Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

How long in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Sendai. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park than in Sendai. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

Families should spend more time in Sendai than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sendai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sendai than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sendai that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sendai than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sendai.

One day in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The high energy destination of Sendai offers shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sendai has to offer.

Five days in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sendai is a fun place to experience. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the dramatic destination of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the lively city of Sendai. It offers something for everyone. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai than you might in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Sendai. Many travelers come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park average around 26°C (78°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park usually receives more rain than Sendai. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park as well as Sendai. Many visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a little warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In the winter, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In January, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park usually receives more rain than Sendai. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In April, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park average around 14°C (57°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park