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

Should you visit Ubud or Sendai?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Sendai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ubud

Ubud is a breathtaking, popular, and famous town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Ubud is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Ubud travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a high energy, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Sendai travel costs.

Ubud and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Sendai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sendai. Although Ubud and Sendai are both popular with visitors, Sendai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sendai is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Ubud is known for its food, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Ubud is more touristy than Sendai and is popular for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. 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.

How is Ubud different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sendai and Ubud. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ubud or Sendai?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Ubud or Sendai.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

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.

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

Ubud is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Ubud is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

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 Ubud or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Ubud has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

Is Ubud or Sendai Better for Resorts?

Ubud is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai is not a resort destination.

Ubud offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a good destination for the beach. However, Ubud 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.

Ubud is not a beach destination.

Is Ubud or Sendai Better for Hiking?

Ubud 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 Ubud. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Sendai?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sendai and Ubud.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ubud. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Ubud or Sendai More Beautiful?

Ubud is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ubud is a beautiful place to visit, too. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ubud or Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Ubud offers lots of family activities. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Is Ubud or Sendai Better for Couples?

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

Ubud has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

Sendai is a good town 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 Ubud or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud 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 Ubud. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

Sendai is a good town 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 Ubud or Sendai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is a great destination for its public transit. However, Ubud is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Sendai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Is Ubud or Sendai a more walkable city?

Ubud and Sendai both are great when exploring on foot.

Ubud is a very walkable destination. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ubud and Sendai. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ubud than in Sendai. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

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

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

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

One day in Ubud or Sendai?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sendai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Ubud or Sendai?

Ubud is a great place to explore. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sendai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Ubud or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ubud. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Sendai. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ubud or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the breathtaking destination of Ubud. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The vibrant city of Sendai offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When comparing the travel costs between Ubud and Sendai, we can see that Ubud 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Sendai, 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.