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

Should you visit Sendai or Katoomba?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Katoomba, 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 cosmopolitan, lively, and high energy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a peaceful, serene, and natural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sendai and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Katoomba?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sendai. Although Sendai and Katoomba are popular destinations, Sendai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sendai is very popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Katoomba attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sendai is famous for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also well known for the statue of Lord Masamune. Katoomba is famous for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains.

How is Sendai different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sendai is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Sendai and Katoomba.

Sendai has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Katoomba area. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Sendai or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Sendai offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Sendai or Katoomba Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a good destination for its beaches. However, Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Sendai or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Katoomba draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Katoomba?

Sendai is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Sendai or Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Katoomba is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Sendai or Katoomba Better for Couples?

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

Katoomba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

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 Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Katoomba is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Katoomba. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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 Sendai or Katoomba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Sendai. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Katoomba has some public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Sendai or Katoomba a more walkable city?

Sendai is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

Sendai is very walkable. 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.

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Sendai or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

Families should spend more time in Katoomba than Sendai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Katoomba, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sendai than Katoomba. 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Katoomba?

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 Katoomba. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Katoomba?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Katoomba. Many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sendai is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 23°C (73°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the summer, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Katoombain January. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sendai usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sendai is cooler than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during autumn. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In October, Sendai usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sendai or Katoomba in the Winter?

Both Katoomba and Sendai during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sendai is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sendai in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Katoombain July. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in January than Katoombain July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Katoomba. The spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

In April, Sendai is generally much colder than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 10°C (51°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during spring. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sendai usually receives more rain than Katoombain October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Sendai