Sendai (map) is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, and the second largest city north of Tokyo.

Sendai is 360 km (220 miles) from Tokyo, so it is often viewed as out of the way and difficult to access. However, it is a 90-minute shinkansen (bullet train) ride. In fact, Sendai is 100 km closer to Tokyo than the very popular Kyoto, and boasts its own unique history, plenty of temples and shrines, and is far less crowded with tourists.

The most well-known streets in Sendai, Jozenji-Dori (定禅寺通り, map) and Aoba-Dori (青葉通り, map), are both lined with *Japanese zelkovas.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Guidebooks & Maps

Sendai is a comfortable and pleasant city — it’s a nice place to live. It’s very green — in fact they call it 杜の都 (Mori no Miyako, “The City of Trees”). The main shopping street — confusingly known by two different names, Chūō-dōri (中央通り, map) and CLIS Road — is pedestrianised and covered, so it feels like a mall.

Sendai is home to historical sites related to the Date clan. The ruins of Sendai Castle (map) are close to downtown on Aobayama, which also gives a panoramic view of the city.

In Aoba-ku, the Ōsaki Hachiman-gū shaden (Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, map), built in 1607 by Date Masamune, is designated a National Treasure. Mutsu Kokubun-ji Yakushidō (map) is the provincial temple of Mutsu Province.

Western Sendai is home to many sites of natural beauty, many of them found around Akiu Onsen (map) and Sakunami (map), which are hot spring resorts. Sites around the Akiu area include the Akiu Great Falls (map), sometimes counted as one of Japan’s three great waterfalls, and the Rairai Gorge (map), known for its autumn colours.

The Futakuchi Gorge contains waterfalls that have been designated as natural monuments and the Banji Cliffs (map), an example of columnar basalt.

The most famous festival in Sendai is Tanabata (wiki) from 6 to 8 August (?), which attracts more than 2 million visitors every year and is the largest Tanabata Festival in Japan.

For those who prefer dry sunny weather, autumn is the most reliable time for pleasant conditions in Sendai. In October, the weather becomes clear, dry and sunny, though cool, usually throughout the month and sometimes well into November.

Sendai City Subway • Expressway Buses / Buses Loople Sendai

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Getting Around Sendai (discoversendai.travel) • Transportation in Japan (japan.travel) • Transportation (japan-guide.com)

BUS: Japan Bus Online is a comprehensive website that allows you to search for and book bus tickets across Japan. Willer Express is a major bus company in Japan that offers long-distance bus services. + Highway Bus / JR Bus / kate.co.jp.

TRAIN: JR East’s Sendai Station (map) is the main transport hub for the city. Japan Railways (JR): The official website of Japan Railways provides information about train routes, schedules, fares, and services offered by JR. + Central JR • West JR • East JR

AIRPORT: Most international flights arrive at either Narita Airport near Tokyo or Kansai Airport near Osaka; a smaller number use Chubu International Airport near Nagoya.

WATERWAYS: Direct Ferries • Ferry Sunflower • Willer Ferry

Unique history, culture, and beliefs continue to evolve from ancient times. Abundant nature once thought to be the home of gods. A sense of consideration for others and respecting a harmony exposed at the time of the earthquake. Unspoiled “Another Japan” can still be found here in Sendai.

⇒ video source: Discover SENDAI / youtube.com /

Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information. + JAPAN eVISA – for online visa application to visit Japan.

HyperDia is a service which offers the route of the railway and the aviation within Japan. Rental car and hotels etc around the station.

A website focused on budget travel in Tokyo, providing tips on affordable accommodation, dining, transportation, and free/cheap activities.