Travel In Sendai

 

 

Sendai has a population of one million, and is the political and economic center of Japan’s Tohoku (northeast) Region. Although Sendai is a large city, it is known throughout Japan as a modern city in harmony with nature. The city possesses beautiful scenery, such as the Hirose River that runs through central Sendai, and the lush zelkova trees that line its streets. Greenery is especially abundant in the center of the city, which has tree-lined streets and parks. As a result, Sendai is called the “City of Trees.”

Sendai has many universities and is also well known as an academic city. Its universities and research institutes have been contributing to the development of the high-tech industry.

Sendai also values history and culture. Many traditional events such as the Sendai Tanabata Festival continue to this day. The Sendai International Music Competition and the Johzenji Street Jazz Festival are also held in the city, along with many theatrical performances. Find more information about Sendai via the website: https://discoversendai.travel/

 

1. Flying in to Sendai Airport from Abroad

Flights to Sendai Airport from overseas are as shown below. Connecting flights from Seoul and China (Beijing or Shanghai) fly to connect Sendai with other countries. Domestic flights connect nine cities in Japan to Sendai. Passengers landing at Narita, Nagoya or Kansai can transfer to a domestic flight to connect directly to Sendai.

Route

Weeklly Flight number

Flight Time

Airlines

Seoul

7 flights /week

2hr 5mins

Asiana Airlines

Beijing (via Dalian)

2 flights /week

5hr 10mins

Air China

Shanghai

2 flights /week

2hr 45mins

Air China

 

2. Access from Tokyo to Sendai

Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
If you want to save time, taking Shinkansen (bullet train) is the best way.
It takes only about one and a half hour from Tokyo to Sendai and the price is about 10,890yen for one-way. More than 80 trains run between Tokyo and Sendai daily.
For foreign visitors, “Japan Rail Pass”, “JR East Pass Tohoku Area” and “JR East and South Hokkaido Rail Pass” are recommendable so that you can take the train cheaper than normal price. You can reserve seat via JR East website.


3. Must to do in Sendai during Spring

 

1) Sendai Aoba Festival
The festival is strongly associated with Lord DATE Masamune and represents the fresh green hues of spring. Highlights of the festival include the suzume odori (“sparrow dance”), so called because of the hopping style of dance which is performed to music. The festival is enhanced by a parade of valiant armor-clad samurai warriors and floats of magnificent splendor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Sakura Cherry Blossoms
Since Sendai spreads out from the plains to the mountains, cherry blossoms can be enjoyed over a relatively long period of time. Some of the more popular viewing spots, such as Nishi Park and Tsutsujigaoka Park are within easy reach of the city center, and also offer a variety of stalls for your shopping and eating entertainment.
Where: Nishi Park, Tsutsujigaoka Park, etc.
When: Early April

 

 

 

 

3) Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park
This park has a stunning panoramic overlook of Matsushima Bay and is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Matsushima. Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park also features a cafe with excellent views. The park is named for a legendary encounter in the year 1118 between a poet-priest named Saigyo and a young man. Under a pine tree, Saigyo and a young boy exchanged Buddhist riddles, and Saigyo ended up losing. Ashamed he gave up on his journey to Matsushima. You can find descendants of the original pine tree in this park.