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

Should you visit Sendai or Noosa Heads?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Noosa Heads, 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. See Sendai travel costs.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a relaxed, peaceful, and scenic coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of Noosa Heads is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Sendai and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Noosa Heads?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sendai than Noosa Heads, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sendai is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Noosa Heads is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. 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. Noosa Heads is well known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture.

How is Sendai different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sendai is a great city for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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

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

Noosa Heads has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Sendai has something for everybody. 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 Noosa Heads. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Sendai or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is renowned for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches in Noosa Heads are among the best in the world. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

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.

Is Sendai or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Noosa Heads?

Sendai is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town 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 Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Sendai or Noosa Heads More Beautiful?

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Noosa Heads is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sendai or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Sendai and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Is Sendai or Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

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

Noosa Heads makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Public transit in Sendai can get you to some places easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Noosa Heads has a few public transit options. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Sendai or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Sendai and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is a very walkable destination. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Sendai or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Sendai or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Sendai. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Sendai. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, 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 Noosa Heads?

The high energy city of Sendai offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Noosa Heads. Don't miss the beaches, 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 Noosa Heads?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Noosa Heads is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads 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. Even though Sendai is in Asia and Noosa Heads is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Noosa Heads?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Noosa Heads. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Sendai is a little warmer than Noosa Heads in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in January.

Noosa Heads receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Noosa Heads. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sendai is around the same temperature as Noosa Heads. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Headsin July. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Sendai is cooler than Noosa Heads in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Sendai