Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sendai?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Sendai?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the lively city of Sendai, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the nightlife scene, the shops and boutiques, and the beaches. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Sendai below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sendai?

Most people spend two to three days in Sendai during their visit. The lively city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the nightlife scene, the shops and boutiques, and the beaches.

Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku Region on Honshu Island in Japan. It grew as a castle town, and today there is a park surrounding what is left of the castle. The city has a vibrant energy and mixes old and new into a dynamic and colorful setting.

Do you have one or two days to visit Sendai? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Sendai?

The popular city of Sendai has many activities and attractions for visitors. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the nightlife scene, and the shops and boutiques. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is probably needed even though it's not a huge city. Many travelers opt for two to three days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Sendai

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Sendai, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. 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.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. 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.

Sendai is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. 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.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Sendai?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the lively city of Sendai, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the nightlife scene, the shops and boutiques, and the beaches. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Sendai below.

Sendai, Japan

How to spend 2 days in Sendai

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Sendai will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Shopping in Sendai is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. 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.

The public transit in Sendai is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Sendai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.