A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kobe vs. Sendai for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kobe or Sendai?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kobe and Sendai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Kobe and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Sendai?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Sendai than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Sendai, Sendai has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sendai is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and beaches, while Kobe is known for its food. Sendai is more touristy than Kobe and is known 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. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kobe or Sendai?

Sendai is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sendai. 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.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

Is the Food Better in Kobe or Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kobe has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. 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.

Is Kobe or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Sendai for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Kobe or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a good destination for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Sendai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Sendai?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Sendai both offer plenty of great spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kobe. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Sendai is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Kobe or Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sendai. 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.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Kobe or Sendai Better for Couples?

Kobe and Sendai both good destinations for a couple.

Kobe is a good city for couples to visit. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Sendai is a nice destination for couples. 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 Kobe or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kobe and Sendai are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sendai. 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 Kobe or Sendai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Sendai. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Kobe or Sendai a more walkable city?

Sendai is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

For even more information, also check out Is Kobe Worth Visiting? and Is Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kobe and Sendai. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sendai than in Kobe. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

Families should spend more time in Sendai than Kobe. 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 Kobe. 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 Kobe 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 Kobe or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kobe. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sendai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Sendai?

Kobe is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sendai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Sendai. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Kobe. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The cosmopolitan city of Sendai offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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 comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kobe Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Sendai?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Sendai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kobe 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 Kobe or Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Sendai. Many visitors come to Kobe in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kobe is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Kobe usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Sendai. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Kobe is a little warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sendai. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Kobe because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. In the winter, Kobe is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Kobe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Kobe is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the spring, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Kobe