A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Sendai or Canberra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Canberra, 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.

Sendai

Sendai is a lively, high energy, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sendai and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Canberra?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sendai than Canberra. Sendai is bigger than Canberra, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Canberra is more popular for its food and hiking. Sendai is more touristy than Canberra and is known 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. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Sendai different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sendai and Canberra.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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

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

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

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 Sendai or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Beaches?

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

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Canberra?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Sendai is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Families?

Sendai and Canberra are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sendai is very family-friendly. 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.

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Couples?

Sendai and Canberra are both notable to visit as a couple.

Sendai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sendai is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Sendai is not popular with students.

Is Sendai or Canberra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Sendai has some very good public transit options. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Sendai or Canberra a more walkable city?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Sendai is a very walkable city. 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.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sendai and Canberra. In our opinion, Sendai has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sendai than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sendai than Canberra 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 Sendai or Canberra?

The city of Sendai offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Canberra. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Canberra?

Sendai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sendai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra 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.

Five days in Sendai or Canberra?

Sendai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Sendai or Canberra?

Sendai is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Sendai.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Canberra?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Sendai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sendai or Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sendai is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra and Sendai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sendai is cooler than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Canberrain April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Canberra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Canberra. The winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

Should I visit Sendai or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Canberra. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city.

Sendai is cooler than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.

Sendai usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Canberrain October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Sendai