Menu Inside Japan Tours
About Us
[email protected] Tel: + 61 7 3186 8800(Toowong, QLD, AUS)
Make an Enquiry
  • Download a brochure
  • About us
    • About Us
    • Brochures
    • Contact Us
    • Accreditation
    • Sustainability
    • Partner Testimonials
    • Press Coverage
    • Company News
    • Jobs at InsideJapan
    • Travel Agents
    • Client Log In
  • Reviews
    • All Trip Reviews
    • Independent Reviews
  • Experiences
    • All Experiences
    • Insider Experiences
  • Trip Themes
    • All Trip Themes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family
    • Skiing & Winter Sports
    • Diving
    • Active
    • Accessible Travel
    • Photography Tours
  • Useful Info
    • Destinations in Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • FAQs
    • Japanese Culture
    • When To Travel
    • Japan Interactive Map
  • Destinations in Japan
  • Travel Tips
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Brochures
    • Contact Us
    • Accreditation
    • Sustainability
    • Partner Testimonials
    • Press Coverage
    • Company News
    • Jobs at InsideJapan
    • Travel Agents
    • Tailormade Groups
    • Client Log In
  • Japanese Culture
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Small Group Tours
  • Self-Guided Adventures
  • Exclusive Private Journeys
  • GB flag UK
  • USA Flag flag USA

Not in Australia?

You can change your location here.

    Japan is open to tourists! Find out how to visit.

    • Home
    • Destinations
    • Tohoku
    • Sendai
    Print
    • Regions in Japan
    • Hokkaido
    • Tohoku
      • Aizu Wakamatsu
      • Akita
      • Aomori
      • Ginzan Onsen
      • Hiraizumi
      • Hirosaki
      • Ishinomaki
      • Kakunodate
      • Lake Tazawa
      • Lake Towada
      • Matsushima
      • Mount Haguro
      • Naruko Onsen
      • Nyuto Onsen
      • Odaka
      • Sendai
      • Yamadera
      • Yamagata
      • Zao Onsen
    • Kanto
    • Chubu
    • Kinki
    • Chugoku
    • Shikoku
    • Kyushu
    • Okinawa

    Download your brochure today

    Explore our latest brochure for Japan holiday inspiration

    • Download a copy

    Sendai Sendai - Japanese

    The largest city in the northern part of Japan's main island, Sendai is a pleasant and airy city with a modern face and a good deal of history.

    Sendai Map

    “The largest city in the Tohoku Region, Sendai has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is full of things to see and do. Fantastic shopping and a very lively entertainment district couple with interesting sights make the city a great place to spend a couple of nights.”

    Alastair Donnelly, Director

    With a population of over one million, Sendai is the prefectural capital of Miyagi Prefecture and the cultural and industrial centre of the Tohoku region. Called the "City of Trees," the city boasts wide, tree-lined avenues and numerous parks, a dubious legacy of the heavy bombardment suffered during WWII.

    Unlike most Japanese cities, Sendai is laid out in a grid pattern. Although many of its historical sites were obliterated during the Pacific War, it is diverse enough to be entertaining. Many of its attractions (such as the ruins of Aoba Castle) relate to its history as the seat of Date Masamune, one of Japan's most powerful feudal warlords.

    Thanks to these attractions, Sendai makes an ideal way-station for travellers moving north or south. Sendai is also a convenient base for visiting the Matsushima bay area (rated as one of Japan's top three sights) and for taking a trip to the temple town of Hiraizumi.

    One of the modern city attractions is the Sendai Mediatheque complex, which houses arts and cultural exhibits in a high-tech environment. The main shopping and entertainment area is around Ichibancho Avenue, where there are a reasonable selection of shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs. The Nagamachi district, close to Sendai station, has more shops, including the major Japanese department stores.

    The Tanabata Matsuri is Sendai's big annual event, held from 6 to 8 August this festival celebrates an ancient Chinese fairytale about two lovers who could only meet when the stars Vega and Altair met in the Milky Way. The dates are somewhat out of sync these days, but the city celebrates in style with street decorations and parades and fireworks. It is traditional, and nowadays very fashionable, to don a colourful yukata and take part in the street dancing.

    Sendai is connected to Tokyo by the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) in just under two hours. This fast, ultra-modern line will eventually lead all the way to Sapporo in the north. For the meantime however you can use it to make a day trip to Hiraizumi where you will find the famous Golden Temple of the north.

    Impact of the Tohoku Earthquake

    Sendai was by far the closest city to the epicentre of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and whilst the city centre suffered little physical damage, its outskirts and nearby coastal areas were devastated by the ensuing tsunami. Nevertheless, infrastructure in the Tohoku region as a whole was quick to recover and most major tourist sites were relatively unaffected by the quake, meaning that today you will find almost no visible signs of the disaster's impact on the area.

    Sendai is situated around 120km to the north of the Fukushima power plant and well outside the boundaries of the exclusion zone. Whilst the problem of ongoing nuclear radiation from the disaster is difficult to quantify, readings strongly suggest that radiation levels in Sendai and the surrounding area are not elevated enough to pose a risk to the short-term traveller.

    Tourists were welcomed back to the Tohoku region a matter of months after the disaster, and the continuation of tourism in the area is of great importance to the recovery and long-term survival of small businesses and the local economy as a whole. Some visitors to the area also choose to engage themselves in the recovery effort, and in the past we have been able to arrange volunteering for some of our customers to the Tohoku area.

    It's Just Not Mud was set up by a young British man, Jamie El Banna, who worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the disaster to coordinate Japanese and Western volunteers in the big clean up; removing mud and debris from homes, schools and local businesses. Jamie and his team also helped out in temporary housing shelters, supporting the local community through the organisation of educational events and distribution of free goods. In 2012 we decided to lend our support to this organisation, which works in the tsunami-devastated town of Ishinomaki.

    Though today you will find no temporary shelters or mud left behind, places like Ishinomaki have a long way to go before they have truly recovered from the devastating effects of the tsunami, and your custom is greatly appreciated in the hotels, guest houses and restaurants of these northern regions.

    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800

    • Accommodation
    • Experiences
    • Weather & Climate

    Recommended Accommodation in Sendai

    The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Sendai.

    • Westin Sendai Image
      Sendai
      Westin Sendai

      Deluxe

    Experiences in Sendai

    Sendai offers a wealth of exciting experiences that will help you get beneath the surface of Japan's fascinating culture. See below for a few of our favourites

    • Guided Izakaya Tour in Sendai Image
      Guided Izakaya Tour in Sendai

      Read more >

    • Matsushima day trip  Image
      Matsushima day trip

      Read more >

    • Yamadera day trip Image
      Yamadera day trip

      Read more >

    • Snow monsters  Image
      Snow monsters

      Read more >

    Weather in Sendai

    The Climate Guide for Sendai, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Max Daytime Temperature (°C) 2 2 6 13 18 21 25 27 22 17 11 5
    Min Night-time Temperature (°C) -5 -5 -3 3 8 13 17 19 14 7 2 -3
    Hours of Sunshine (Daily) 5 5 6 6 7 5 5 6 4 5 4 4
    Hours of Daylight (Daily) 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 14 12 11 10 10
    Heat and Humidity Discomfort None None None None None None Low Moderate None None None None
    Days with some Rainfall 26 23 23 18 17 19 21 20 20 18 20 24
    Monthly Rainfall (mm) 46 62 76 99 105 153 185 196 187 102 67 39
    UV Index (Maximum) 2 3 4 6 8 9 10 9 7 5 3 2
    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800

    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800

    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800

    • Video Gallery > Watch video Sendai Video Gallery

    Featured trips including Sendai

    • Rural Tohoku Trail

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Rural Tohoku Trail (Classic)

      • Kakunodate
      • Mount Haguro
      • Ginzan Onsen
      • Sendai
      • Tokyo

      Discover the highlights of rural Tohoku in this week-long add-on itinerary - samurai towns, hot spring villages, and sacred mountains.

      7 nights: from AU$3060 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    • A Northern Soul

      Small Group Tour

      A Northern Soul (IJT Classic)

      • Tokyo
      • Nikko
      • Hiraizumi
      • Naruko Onsen
      • Ishinomaki
      • Sendai
      • Niigata
      • Sado Island
      • Tokyo

      Discover the beautiful yet little-visited region of Tohoku, home to rugged national parks, historic cities, and enchanting hot spring towns.

      14 nights: AU$8640 Read more >

      View more Small Group Tours

    • Northern Highlights

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Northern Highlights (Classic)

      • Tokyo
      • Nikko
      • Sendai
      • Nyuto Onsen
      • Kakunodate
      • Mount Haguro
      • Tokyo

      Journey through the lush rural landscapes in Tohoku, a land steeped in tradition and mystery, on this classic two-week itinerary.

      13 nights: from AU$4734 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    Inside Japan Accommodation Styles

    Style Facts

    Contact us

    • GB Inside Japan UK office

      + 44 117 244 3380
    • US Inside Japan US office

      + 1 303 952 0379
    • AUS Inside Japan Australia office

      + 61 7 3186 8800
    • JAP Inside Japan - Japan office

      + 81 52 253 6068

    ABTA: Travel with confidence ASTA: American Society of Travel Agents Click for the Business Review of Inside Japan Tours, a Japan Specialist Tour Operator in Boulder CO ATOL: Air Travel Organisers Licensing ATAS AFTA AITO: Association of Independent Tour Operators ABTOT: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust JATA logo ACTA logo

    Order a brochure or enquire today

    If you'd like any help or want to know more about Japan, feel free to either enquire today, give our Japan travel experts a call, or why not get one of our beautiful Japan brochures.

    Order a brochure Make an enquiry
    • Home
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Brochures
    • Accreditation
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews
    • Sustainability
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Latest Trip Features
    • Small Group Tours
    • Self-Guided Adventures
    • Exclusive Private Journeys
    • Experiences
    • Trip Themes
    • Offers
    • Travel Agents
    • Magazine
    • Blog
    • Travel Tips & Advice
    • Japan Interactive Map
    • When To Travel
    • FAQs
    • Culture
    • Destinations
    • Press Coverage
    • Company News
    • Jobs with InsideJapan
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Site Map

    Connect with InsideJapan

    Choose your currency

    • GBP
    • EUR
    • AUD
    • USD
    • CAD

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Sign me up Client log in

    InsideJapan Tours

    Get beneath the surface

    Award-winning, innovative and fun group tours, tailormade trips and cultural experiences throughout Japan.

    • Conde Nast Awards Travel Specialists
    • Conde Nast Awards Readers' Choice
    • World's Best Awards
    • Afar Awards
    • TTG Travel Awards
    • Travel & Leisure Awards
    • TTG Luxury Travel Awards
    • Magellan Awards
    • Sunday Times Travel Awards
    • Wanderlust awards
    • Travvy Awards
    • Best travel specialists
    • Guardian Travel Awards
    • Guardian Travel Awards
    • Independent Travel Awards
    • Tour Grand Prix
    Travel Agents Client Log In

    Looking to travel to Southeast Asia?

    Visit our sister brand InsideAsia Tours.

    InsideAsia Tours
    Suite B, Level 4, 601 Coronation Drive, Toowong Queensland
    Tel. + 61 7 3186 8800 Email [email protected]
    © Inside Travel Group Ltd. 2023
    wilddogdesign.co.uk Powered by AMO

    Search for your trip

    Sign up to our newsletter

    If you're interested in Japan, you will love our newsletter. Sign-up and we'll bring a little bit of the magic of Japan to your inbox as well as letting you know about our latest Japan travel experiences, exclusive promotions and insider specials!

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your details

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Make an enquiry

    Get one step closer to Japan

    Looking for some inside knowledge? Would like a little expert assistance? Fill in this form, tell us a few things about yourself and what your perfect Japan trip looks like and our team are here to help make it happen.

    Alternatively, give us a call. There is nothing we enjoy more than talking about Japan!

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your Trip

    We don't believe in a one size fits all approach, so please provide us with as much relevant information as possible to help us plan your perfect holiday!

    Almost there!

    How can we contact you about your enquiry?

    We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

    Your details

    Your address

    Look up address Enter address manually

    We send all our proposals by email and it's usually the best way for us to send you ideas and information about your trip and to answer your questions.

    It would be great to have the chance to speak on the phone so we can get the best possible understanding of what you're looking for (and because we all love talking about Japan!)

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Receive a brochure in the mail

    Complete the form below and our latest brochure full of Japan inspiration will be on its way to you next working day.

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your Trip

    Almost there!

    Please fill in your name and contact details below

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your details

    One final thing to ask!

    Please fill in your address details below to be sent our latest brochure

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your address

    Look up address Enter address manually
    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Download our latest brochure

    Complete this simple form and we'll email you a link to download our latest brochure, packed full of Japan travel inspiration.

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your Trip

    Almost there!

    Just let us know who you are and you'll receive the brochure links in the next couple of minutes.

    Your details

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Email Form

    You can email us using the below form. We would also love to chat about your travel plans and are happy to talk if you have any questions, so feel free to give our local office a call.

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your Enquiry

    Your details

    We send all our proposals by email and it's usually the best way for us to send you ideas and information about your trip and to answer your questions.

    It would be great to have the chance to speak on the phone so we can get the best possible understanding of what you're looking for (and because we all love talking about Japan!)

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Special Offer Enquiry

    You can email us using the below form. We would also love to chat about your travel plans and are happy to talk if you have any questions, so feel free to give our local office a call.

    Offer title:

    Code:

    + 61 7 3186 8800

    Your Enquiry

    Your details

    We send all our proposals by email and it's usually the best way for us to send you ideas and information about your trip and to answer your questions.

    It would be great to have the chance to speak on the phone so we can get the best possible understanding of what you're looking for (and because we all love talking about Japan!)

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    RE