A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nara vs. Sendai for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nara or Sendai?

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

Should I visit Nara 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.

Nara

Nara is a natural, historic, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sendai

Sendai is a cosmopolitan, lively, and high energy city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nara and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Sendai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sendai than Nara. Sendai is bigger than Nara, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Nara is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sendai is more touristy than Nara and is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Also, Sendai is famous for the statue of Lord Masamune. Nara is well known for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Nara different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Nara and Sendai.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara or Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Nara and Sendai offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nara. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

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.

Is Nara or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Nara and Sendai.

Nara has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Sendai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Nara or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a popular place for the beache. However, Nara 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.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Nara or Sendai Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nara. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Sendai Better for Hiking?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Sendai?

Both Nara and Sendai are very good shopping destinations.

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

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.

Is Nara or Sendai Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nara or Sendai.

Nara is a very kid-friendly city. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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.

Is Nara or Sendai Better for Couples?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Sendai is a good city 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 Nara or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nara and Sendai are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nara. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Sendai is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Nara or Sendai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Nara and Sendai offer very good public transit options.

The public transit in Nara can get you around easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

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.

Is Nara or Sendai a more walkable city?

Nara and Sendai both are very good when exploring on foot.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Nara?

How long in Nara or Sendai?

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

Couples should spend more time in Nara than Sendai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nara that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nara than Sendai 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 Nara.

One day in Nara or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Nara or Sendai?

Nara 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 Nara or Sendai?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cosmopolitan 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 Nara or Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the tranquil destination of Nara. This city 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.

The high energy 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nara and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Nara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nara 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 Nara.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Nara 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 Nara or Sendai?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nara or Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai and Nara during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nara is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In the summer, Nara often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Sendai. Many visitors come to Nara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Nara is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nara in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Nara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai during autumn. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nara as well as Sendai. Most visitors come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, 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. Nara can be very cold during winter. In January, Nara is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 4°C (40°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Nara often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Nara usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nara because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

Nara is a little warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Nara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai during spring. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Nara. In April, Nara usually receives more rain than Sendai. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Nara