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

Should you visit Sendai or Wellington?

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

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

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Sendai and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Wellington?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sendai than Wellington. Sendai is bigger than Wellington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Wellington is more popular for its food, beaches, 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. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Sendai different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sendai is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Sendai offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

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

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Both Sendai and Wellington have very good vibes after the sun sets.

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.

The people in Wellington know how to have a good time. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Sendai or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for the beache. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wellington. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

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 Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Wellington?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Sendai and Wellington.

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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Sendai or Wellington Better for Families?

Sendai and Wellington 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.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Sendai or Wellington Better for Couples?

Sendai and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Sendai or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Sendai and Wellington.

The public transit in Sendai can get you around easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Wellington offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Sendai or Wellington a more walkable city?

Sendai and Wellington are very good 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.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Wellington?

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

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

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

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

One day in Sendai or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the cosmopolitan city of Sendai, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sendai, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Sendai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

Sendai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Wellington, we can see that Sendai 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 Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Wellington?

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

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

Both Wellington 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 Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sendai is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wellington. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Wellington in the Winter?

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

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Sendai usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Wellington in the Spring?

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

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

In the spring, Sendai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wellingtonin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Sendai