What to do in Sendai

Activities, attractions and tours

High-resolution panoramic photo overlooking Sendai. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
High-resolution panoramic photo overlooking Sendai. Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
Woman tourist sightseeing Kitakami Tenshochi Park with Sakura Cherry Blossom in Spring, traveler travel in Kitakami festival, Iwate prefecture, Japan. Landmark for Travel and Vacation destination
Panoramic photo of Sendai City from high angle in Daytime with bright bluesky and cloud
Adobe

Sendai Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Sendai has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Sendai is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Sendai to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Sendai Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Sendai.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Sendai attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Sendai

Number of things to do
20
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Sakutto from the inn! Hot spring town short course: CA $76
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Sendai

Discover the most popular places to visit in Sendai

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Sendai International Center

Learn about the events happening at Sendai International Center during your trip to Sendai. Amble around the area's parks or experience its festivals.

Sendai International Center
Sendai_SendaiIzumiPremiumOutlets_553248621582428164_11

Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets

During your trip to Sendai, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets. Discover the hot springs while you're in the area.

Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets
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Tohoku Gakuin University Tsuchitoi Campus

Explore the campus of Tohoku Gakuin University Tsuchitoi Campus during your stay in Sendai. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.

Tohoku Gakuin University Tsuchitoi Campus
Zuihoden Mausoleum in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Zuihoden Temple

You can study the exhibits at Zuihoden Temple, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Sendai. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.

Zuihoden Temple
Major gate of Sendai Castle; Shutterstock ID 1069909157; purchase_order: SF 06557000; job: ; client: ; other:

Aoba Castle

Aoba Castle is just one of the places to see in Sendai, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's parks or visit its monuments.

Aoba Castle
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Sendai Mediatheque

Learn about the local history of Sendai with a stop at Sendai Mediatheque. Experience the area's festivals and museums.

Sendai Mediatheque
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Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium

Take the family to visit the sea life at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium during your travels in Sendai. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium

Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall

During your visit to Sendai, you can enjoy retail therapy at Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall. Amble around the area's parks or experience its museums.

Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall

Sakunami Hot Spring

You can take time to visit Sakunami Hot Spring during your travels to Sendai. Amble around the area's gardens or visit its spas.

Sakunami Hot Spring

Explore areas of Sendai

Sendai Japan

Downtown Sendai

While you're in Downtown Sendai, take in top sights like Asaichi Morning Market and jump on the metro at Hirose-dori Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Sendai
Wonderful grave

Aoba Ward

4/5(7 area reviews)

Stroll through the bustling Ichibancho shopping district, home to numerous shops and eateries, or explore the picturesque Jozenji-Dori, adorned with El Greco sculptures and zelkova trees. Conveniently access eight Sendai Subway Nanboku Line stations.

Aoba Ward
Jozenji-dori Avenue in Sendai, Japan. Sendai is known as "The City of Forest" for its cityscape with trees to be one important element of the city

Kokubuncho

While you're in Kokubuncho, take in top sights like Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi and jump on the metro at Kotodai-Koen Station to see more of the city.

Kokubuncho
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Miyagino Ward

5/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Miyagino Ward, Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiko and Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium are top sights worth seeing.

Miyagino Ward
下飯田薬師堂 Yakushidō of Shimo-īda

Wakabayashi

When in Wakabayashi and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium or Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiko and hop on the metro to see more the city at Kawaramachi Station or Atago-Bashi Station.

Wakabayashi
A winter waterfall. Akiu Falls near Sendai.

Taihaku Ward

Discover the southernmost ward of Sendai, featuring Akiu Great Falls and Sendai Yagiyama Zoological Park. Easily accessible via JR East, Sendai Subway, and national routes, it's a perfect blend of nature and convenience.

Taihaku Ward

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Sendai

Main Bldg. of Miyagi University, located in Taiwa, Miyagi, Japan.
Photo by Hasec (Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication)

Taiwa

View of the Matsushima Bay and its famous red bridge, Sendai, Japan

Rifu

Wooden three-story building is a rare structure.

Obanazawa

Frequently asked questions

Is Sendai worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Sendai is visit Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall. Tick this leading attraction off your to-do list, then discover more of this area's history and nature.
How do I spend a day in Sendai?
Once you've checked off major attractions like Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall and Yagiyama Zoo, spend the rest of your day discovering Sendai's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Sendai?
You can't leave without checking out Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall, ranked the top tourist attraction in Sendai.
Is three days enough to stay in Sendai?
You can easily visit top sights like Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall, Yagiyama Zoo and Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium with a three-day trip to Sendai. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stick around longer and head to Yamagata.
Is Sendai a walkable city?
Some major attractions in Sendai, such as Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall and Yagiyama Zoo, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Just 0.16 kilometres from central Sendai is Aoba Ward and Ichibancho is 0.97 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Sendai with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all ages, we've got some excellent ideas for what to do in Sendai with kids.

What to do in Sendai for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Sendai for adults including Sendai International Centre and Miyagi Prefectural Office.
Are there free things to do in Sendai?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Sendai is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without taking your wallet out. Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.

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