Sendai is known as the 'City of Trees,' famous for its abundant greenery, picturesque sceneries, and historical significance. As the largest city in the Tohoku region, Sendai offers tourists a rich cultural heritage with destinations like the Sendai Castle ruins (Aoba Castle), the Zuihoden Mausoleum, and festivals such as the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri. Local cuisine, including gyutan (grilled beef tongue), and nearby scenic spots like Matsushima Bay, enhance its appeal as a travel destination.
The best time to visit Sendai depends on what you want to experience. Summer (June to August) is ideal for those wishing to witness the vibrant Sendai Tanabata Festival held in August, whereas autumn (September to November) showcases the beautiful fall colors, with events like the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival. Winter (December to February) can be cold, but offers winter sports opportunities in the surrounding mountains and the illumination event Pageant of Starlight. Spring (March to May) is also a great time with mild weather and cherry blossoms blooming in late April.
Top attractions in Sendai include the Aoba Castle ruins, offering panoramic views of the city; the Zuihoden Mausoleum, the elaborately decorated resting place of Date Masamune, one of the most powerful feudal lords; Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, a designated National Treasure; the Miyagi Museum of Art; and Rinnoji Temple with its beautiful garden. Nature lovers should visit the nearby Matsushima Bay, which is considered one of the three most scenic views of Japan, and Akiu Great Falls, one of the top three waterfalls in Japan.
Yes, Sendai is well-known for several local delicacies. The most famous is gyutan (grilled beef tongue), usually served with barley rice and tail soup. Other specialties include zunda mochi (mochi with sweet edamame paste), sasa kamaboko (bamboo leaf-shaped fish cake), and Sendai miso. For dessert, you might want to try hagi no tsuki, a fluffy sponge cake filled with custard cream.
Sendai is quite accessible for international travelers. While Sendai Airport serves a number of international routes, it is also easily reachable via Tokyo with a 90-minute journey on the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train). The city's public transportation system, consisting of buses, subways, and local trains, is tourist-friendly, with signage often available in English. Additionally, many international tourists fly into Tokyo or Osaka and then travel to Sendai by rail or domestic flight.
Certainly, there are several appealing day trips from Sendai. Matsushima Bay, famous for its picturesque islands and scenic cruises, is just a half hour train ride away. Yamadera Temple is an hour away and offers stunning views after a climb up a hillside of over a thousand steps. The historic town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, with its impressive Tsuruga Castle and samurai history, can be reached in about two hours by train. Furthermore, the Zao Onsen ski and hot spring resort is a great destination in both winter and summer, about a 90-minute drive from Sendai.
While Sendai is a major city, English is not as widely spoken as in Tokyo or Osaka. However, key tourist areas, major hotels, and restaurants catering to tourists often have English-speaking staff and English menus. It's advisable to learn a few basic Japanese phrases to enhance your experience, but most travelers will find that they can manage with English combined with non-verboal communication in popular tourist spots.
Visitors to Sendai, as with the rest of Japan, should be mindful of Japanese customs and etiquette. It's important to be respectful in temples and shrubs, removing shoes where required and avoiding loud conversations. Queuing orderly for trains and buses is expected, as is using cash in many establishments, although this is changing. Tipping is not customary in Japan and could cause confusion. When sharing meals, it's polite to wait for everyone to be served before eating, and say 'itadakimasu' before starting and 'gochisosama' after finishing a meal.
