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

Should you visit Sendai or Hobart?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Hobart, 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 vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Hobart

Hobart is a historical, charming, and fascinating city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sendai and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Hobart?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sendai than Hobart, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sendai is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Hobart is more popular for its food and hiking. Sendai is well 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. Hobart is well known for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails.

How is Sendai different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hobart 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 Hobart?

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

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 Hobart. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

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

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

Hobart has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

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 Hobart Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Hobart. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Sendai or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a city with good options for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Sendai or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Hobart 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 Hobart. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Hobart?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Sendai and Hobart.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hobart. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Is Sendai or Hobart Better for Families?

Sendai and Hobart are both high quality 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.

Hobart is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Is Sendai or Hobart Better for Couples?

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

Hobart makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

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 Sendai or Hobart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sendai and Hobart are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Hobart is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

Is Sendai or Hobart 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, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Hobart has a few public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Sendai or Hobart a more walkable city?

Sendai and Hobart are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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.

Hobart is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Hobart?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sendai and Hobart. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hobart. 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.

A weekend in Sendai or Hobart?

Sendai 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.

Hobart 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 Hobart?

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

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

A week in Sendai or Hobart?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fascinating destination of Hobart. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Hobart, we can see that Hobart 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 Hobart 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart 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 Hobart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Hobart?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Hobart, 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 Hobart?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Hobart 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 Hobart in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Hobart. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Sendai is a little warmer than Hobart in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Hobart fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Hobart during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Hobartin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Hobart in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Hobart. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Hobart in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sendai is around the same temperature as Hobart. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Hobart averages at about 14°C (57°F)in April.

In the autumn, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Hobartin April. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Hobartin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Hobart in the Winter?

Both Hobart and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Hobartin July. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Sendai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hobart during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Hobartin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Hobart in the Spring?

Both Hobart and Sendai during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Sendai is cooler than Hobart in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Hobart fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In Hobart, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Hobartin October. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Hobartin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Sendai