Sendai
Sendai is a city in northern Japan known for gyutan, grilled beef tongue, and its early August Tanabata festival. Matsushima Bay is an easy train ride away.
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Sendai is the largest city in Tohoku, the northern part of Honshu, and the capital of Miyagi Prefecture. Date Masamune founded it as a castle town in the early 1600s, and his family ruled the area for more than 260 years. Visitors can still see that history at the Aoba Castle ruins on the hill above the city and at Zuihoden, the Date family mausoleum in the hills to the west.
Gyutan is the local specialty. Tanabata, one of Tohoku's largest summer festivals, runs in early August with paper decorations hung along the shopping arcades. Jozenji-dori, a street lined with zelkova trees, runs through the center. Sendai works for a short city break or as a base for day trips to Matsushima Bay and the Zao mountains. Cherry blossoms in April and autumn foliage are the best seasons to visit. Plan two to three days.
Sendai in five
- Get a Suica card at Sendai StationTicket machines at the station sell Suica cards, which work on the Sendai subway and JR trains. Buy one on arrival and top it up at the same machines.Getting around
- Carry yen cash for small restaurantsSmall izakaya and counter restaurants in Kokubuncho may take only cash. Keep yen notes and coins for them, and use cards at larger shops and hotels.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before you landMaps and train apps need data from the moment you leave Sendai Airport. Install and activate the eSIM before the flight, not at the arrivals hall.Phones and eSIM
- Check entry rules and Visit Japan Web before you flyMany passports enter Japan visa-free for short stays, and others need a visa. Visit Japan Web lets you file arrival and customs forms online before you land.Visas and entry
- Book a bed early for Tanabata in AugustThe Sendai Tanabata Festival in early August brings large crowds to the city center. Book your room when you book your flight.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, snowy
- FebruaryCold, dry
- MarchCool, early bloom
- AprilCherry blossom
- MayMild, green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustTanabata festival
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, leaves turning
- DecemberCold, illuminations
Right now in Sendai
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 47%
Sendai
05:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today16°8°47%Tuesday: Clear. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Wed16°6°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu14°11°97%Thursday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Fri21°10°23%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Sat11°7°33%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun12°5°4%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Mon12°1°12%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 05:01 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Matsushimaabout 40 min by trainA bay of pine-covered islets, one of Japan's three classic scenic views. Sightseeing boats leave from the town.
- Hiraizumiabout 1 hour by Shinkansen and busTemples and the Chūson-ji golden hall, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site in Iwate Prefecture.
- Shiogamaabout 25 min by trainA fishing port with a busy fish market and Shiogama Shrine on the hill above town.
Before you go to Sendai
Rules for Sendai, checked
- Visa-free entry for many nationalities covers short stays only. Check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before you book.Source
- Some medicines sold abroad are banned in Japan. Check the Japan Customs list before you pack, and carry prescriptions in their original packaging.Source
- The drinking age is 20, and bars and shops may ask for passport ID. Carry your passport when you go out in the evening.
Plan around Sendai
Entry, rail and money for a Japan trip
Read the guideTohoku regionSendai, Matsushima and the rest of the region
Read the guideGetting aroundShinkansen, JR and subway from Sendai Station
Read the guideWhere to stayAreas and rates for a Sendai base
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and the forms to file
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices
Read the guideSendai FAQ
How many days do you need in Sendai?
Two days cover the castle ruins, Zuihoden mausoleum, the shopping streets and the local food. Add a day for Matsushima, which is about 40 minutes by train from the city.
Is Sendai worth visiting?
Yes if you want a large city with good food, green parks and easy rail links to the coast. The sights are spread out, so one or two day trips make the stay more useful.
How do you get from Tokyo to Sendai?
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station, about 1.5 hours. Reserved seats can be booked at ticket machines or counters on the day.
When is the best time to visit Sendai?
April to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. Early August has the Tanabata Festival, June is the rainy season, and July and August are hot and humid.
Do you need a car in Sendai?
No. The subway, buses and JR trains cover the city and Matsushima. A taxi is useful late at night or when you carry heavy luggage.
What should you eat in Sendai?
Gyutan, grilled beef tongue, is the best-known local dish. Zunda mochi, a sweet made with edamame paste, is the local snack to try.
Is Sendai safe for tourists?
Sendai is a safe city for visitors. Watch your belongings in busy bar areas at night, and on the coast follow the tsunami evacuation signs.