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

Should you visit Sendai or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Rotorua, 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sendai travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a cultural, natural, and world-renowned town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Rotorua travel costs.

Sendai and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sendai than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sendai is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua is known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also home to the statue of Lord Masamune. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Sendai different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

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

Rotorua has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Sendai or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a city with good options for the beach. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Sendai or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Rotorua?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sendai. 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Sendai or Rotorua More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sendai or Rotorua Better for Families?

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

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rotorua is extremely popular for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua 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, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Sendai. 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 Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Sendai or Rotorua a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is a very walkable destination. 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Rotorua?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

One day in Sendai or Rotorua?

In Sendai, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

In Sendai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sendai has to offer.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Sendai is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the natural destination of Rotorua. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Rotorua, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia and Rotorua 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 Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai than you might in Rotorua.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Rotorua?

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

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

Both Rotorua and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sendai is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Sendai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sendai is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Rotorua. Many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. Sendai is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

In January, Sendai usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Rotorua. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sendai is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Sendai