A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pyeongchang vs. Sendai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Sendai?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Sendai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Pyeongchang or Sendai?

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When comparing the travel costs between Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.

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

Both Sendai and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In the summer, Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pyeongchang in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Pyeongchang. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Sendai. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai and Pyeongchang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Pyeongchang is generally around the same temperature as Sendai. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 15°C (60°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 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 Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Sendai. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang is much colder than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Sendai. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Sendai. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Pyeongchang is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pyeongchang in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pyeongchang this time of the year. In the spring, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Pyeongchang