Should you visit Yokohama or Sendai?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama or Sendai, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Yokohama
Located on the western coast of Tokyo Bay just south of Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan's second largest city and one of the most-visited cities by foreigners. It features one of the largest Chinatown's in the world as well as many parks and architectural landmarks.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
Which city is cheaper, Sendai or Yokohama?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Yokohama is $137, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Yokohama and Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Yokohama is about $154 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The prices for places to stay in Sendai can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $65, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $130.
Food
Food in Yokohama costs travelers about $41 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The price of a meal in Sendai can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $36 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Yokohama $41
Sendai $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yokohama
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yokohama.
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Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
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Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
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Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
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Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
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Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
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Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
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Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
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Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
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Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
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Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
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Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
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Morning Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course:
$60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
-
Morning Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course:
$60
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Yokohama is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Yokohama.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Sendai than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $19 on transportation in Sendai on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yokohama
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yokohama:
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[5%OFF] Ferry Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry:
$6.09
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Yokohama Private Departure Transfer : from Yokohama Port or Hotels to Tokyo Hotels:
$230
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Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Yokohama Port to Haneda Airport:
$101
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Yokohama Osanbashi Port to Main Tokyo Private Transfer Haice bus for pax1-9:
$295
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Yokohama Osanbashi Port to Main Tokyo Private Transfer Alphard bus for pax1-5:
$223
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Transfer from Yokohama To HND Airport by Private Car for Nighttime Flight:
$369
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Transfer from Yokohama To HND Airport by Private Car for Daytime Flight:
$305
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Shared Round-Trip Transfers for Chichibugahama Beach:
$23
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Shared Night Bus Transfers from Osaka to Tokyo:
$62
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Shared Night Bus Transfers from Kyoto to Tokyo:
$62
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Shared Departure Transfer : Yokohama City to Narita International Airport:
$210
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Shared Departure Transfer : Yokohama City to Haneda Airport:
$82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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1 Day Fuji Q Liner Pass with Two Way Transfer from Tokyo:
$76
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Ferry Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
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Mount Fuji Climbing Tour with Accommodation & Transfer from Shinjuku/Tokyo/Yokohama/Nishi Funabashi:
$121
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Nara Kimono and Deer Experience Day Trip from Kyoto (with One Way Transfer):
$10
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Private Airport Transfer between New Chitose Airport (CTS) and Hokkaido Major Cities:
$209
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Private Airport Transfer between Tokyo 23 Wards/Tokyo Disneyland and Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport:
$125
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Private Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) Transfer for Nagoya, Legoland, and Central Japan:
$146
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Private City Transfers Between Kyoto and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
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Private City Transfers Between Osaka and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
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Private City Transfers Between Port of Kobe and Kobe/Osaka/Kyoto (One Way):
$32
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Private City Transfers Between Tokyo and Kamakura/Shin-Yokohama (One Way):
$32
Is it cheaper to fly into Yokohama or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai and Yokohama change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Yokohama typically cost an average of $33 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing expenses in Sendai, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $20 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Yokohama
Here are a few actual costs in Yokohama for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Art Aquarium Museum Ticket in Tokyo:
$21
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Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
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Chiba Mother Farm Ticket Tokyo:
$12
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Hakodate-Onuma Segway Tours:
$82
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Hakone Kamakura 3-Day Ticket Pass:
$63
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Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun Hot Spring Theme Park One Day Ticket :
$21
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Hakone Segway Tours:
$82
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Izu Teddy Bear Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
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Japanese Culture Experience at Kanda Myoujin Shrine EDOCCO Cha-ya in Tokyo:
$27
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Kanda Myoujin Rakugo Show Ticket in Tokyo:
$7.29
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Kanda Myoujin Shrine Experience Ticket in Tokyo:
$45
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Kouri Ocean Tower Observation Deck Ticket in Okinawa:
$6.99
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
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Uzu no Michi and Onaruto Bridge Hall Edy Ticket:
$3.75
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Yunomoto Onsen Experience in Hokkaido :
$4.09
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[5% OFF] Akame 48 Watefalls / Ninja Training Experience Discount Ticket in Mie:
$4.35
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Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Experience:
$4.39
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Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
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Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
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Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$4.55
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Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Ticket:
$4.85
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Hida Kanayama Onsen Yutarikan Hot Spring Experience in Gifu:
$4.99
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Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu:
$4.99
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Museum of Aeronautical Science Admission Ticket :
$5.09
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Yokohama may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Sendai spend on average $12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Yokohama
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Yokohama:
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Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Sendai
Also in Sendai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Sendai, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama than you might in Sendai.
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