Sendai (仙台) is the largest city in the Tohoku region of Japan's Honshu island, with around 1 million people. It is the capital of Miyagi prefecture. As everyone here will tell you, "Sendai is not too big and not too small, it's very convenient and it's close to both the sea and the mountains." Sakunami hot springs area of the city has a separate article.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Sendai is divided into five districts: Aoba-ku (青葉区), Izumi-ku (泉区), Miyagino-ku (宮城野区), Taihaku-ku (太白区) and Wakabayashi-ku (若林区). 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 avenues around the city are wide and tree-lined, giving the city an almost European feel. The main shopping street, Chūō-dōri (中央通り), is pedestrian and covered, so it feels like a mall. Several large universities are located in Sendai, attracting young adults from throughout the Tohoku area.
Sendai has two subway lines. Traveling on a north-south axis, the Namboku Line connects major shopping districts with the train station. Key stations include Sendai for the train station and the AER building, Nagamachi-minami for the Mall (large American-style shopping mall including multi-screen cinema), Hirose-dori and Kotodai-koen for access to Ichibancho (covered shopping arcade), and Izumi-chuo for the soccer stadium. The second line, the Tozai Line, travels on an east-west axis. Sendai is covered by a bus network, whose routes and timetables are available through Google Maps and other services.
Although one of Japan's most pleasant and livable cities, Sendai is not generally high on the tourist circuit as it was flattened in the war and has few historical sights remaining. However, for those interested in touring the city, the.Gozain Sendai Volunteer English Interpreter and Tour Guide Group offer free guided tours (no charge for the guides) 1 Miyagi Museum of Art (宮城県美術館), 34-1 Kawauchi-Motohasekura, Aoba-ku. A reasonable collection of modern art. Special room for Juryo Sato, a local (but nationally famous) sculptor. Beautiful garden and a nice view of the river. The museum has been closed for renovations since June 2023. (updated Jan 2024) 2 Ōsaki Hachiman Shrine (大崎八幡宮).
Akiu Onsen is an onsen town located in the outskirts of Sendai, known to be frequented by the famous samurai Date Masamune and home to its own Akiu Kokeshi, now considered to be part of the Togatta Kokeshi-type. One of the few and only tour companies based locally and catering to English speaking travelers in Sendai is Attract Tohoku Their unique experiences include a food parade around the city, exploring hidden alleys, bar hopping like a local, and even a Japanese style hair-and-makeup package. The biggest festival in Sendai is Tanabata (七夕). The festival starts with fireworks on Aug 5th and then the festival proper is from Aug 6th to Aug 8th.
Sendai's specialties include gyūtan (牛タン), grilled beef tongue; sasakamaboko (笹かまぼこ), a type of fish sausage; and zundamochi (ずんだ餅), sweet green soybean paste eaten with soft glutinous rice balls. Sendai-Miso (仙台味噌) has a long history. Hiyashi-Chuka (冷やし中華, cold ramen noodles) originated in Sendai. 1 Rikyu (利久), Aoba-ku Chuo 1-6-1 (there's one on the corner of Ekimae-dori and Hirose-dori, across from the AER Building). A famous chain of gyūtan restaurants. Order the teishoku (set meal) - this includes meat, pickles, barley rice, leek, and a clear oxtail soup with real tail. ¥1000. 2 Ichimuan (一夢庵), Westin Hotel Sendai 37F, 1-9-1 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, ☏ +81 22 713 8350.
Rock Cafe Peter Pan, 2 Chome-6-1 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku. Tue-Thu Sun 15:00-22:00, Fri Sat 15:00-00:00. Oldest cafe in Sendai. Great coffee. Excellent selection of rock music. Friendly and helpful service. English spoken. (updated Sep 2018) Sendai Coffee Stand, Kokubuncho 1 Chome-3-１２, Aoba-ku, ☏ +81 22-797-1015. 11:00-23:00. A cafe with a backstreet charm. Excellent coffee. Great atmosphere. (updated Sep 2018) Wadiharfu (わでぃはるふぁ), Aoba District, Omachi, 2 Chome -2-2 (from Omachi Nishi-Koen metro station, walk back towards Sendai Main Station; the cafe is a few minutes on the left), ☏ +81 22-225-5241, wadi.halfa@tuba.ocn.ne.jp. A cafe with a long history.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Sep, Sendai typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 14 rainy days.
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