Sendai doesn’t have much of a reputation in Japan as a tourism hotspot. On its own, Sendai is really just…kind of a normal city. However, because of its close proximity to Matsushima (one of Japan’s “Three Great Views”), Sendai is definitely worth a visit. Beyond Matsushima, I really enjoyed the calm but convenient nature of Sendai. We traveled to Sendai in Month 7, here are my recommendations for a weekend trip.

Friday Afternoon

Travel to Sendai

The Shinkansen from Utsunomiya Station to Sendai takes just over 1 hour and costs about 8,400 yen. Sendai has a pretty good public transportation system, so we didn’t think we would need a rental car to explore this area.

Check in to your Hotel

Really, most of the chain hotels around the station are about the same price/quality. We chose the Richmond because we are familiar with the chain, no deeper decision-making points here. This Richmond is fairly new, don’t be fooled into booking the Richmond Hotel slightly farther from the station. It is older, and much less nice.

Shopping & Dinner

Sendai Station is surrounded by shopping malls. For a relaxed evening, spend some time window shopping, people watching, and then grab dinner at one of the many popular restaurants inside the station.

Saturday

Check out Sendai Asaichi Morning Market

Just a few minutes away from the station, this small market is where locals come to buy fruits and vegetables. Pick up some potato croquettes for breakfast while you’re here.

Take a Pleasure Cruise around Matsushima Bay

Take the JR train from Sendai Station to Shiogama, then walk to Marine Gate Shiogama. From here, you can purchase local craft items, like sea salt, as well as tickets for the sightseeing cruise of Matsushima Bay. Taking the cruise from Shiogama in the morning will put you in Matsushima just in time for lunch.

Eat Seafood in Matsushima

Matsushima is famous for oysters. There are many restaurants near the pleasure cruise pier that serve grilled oysters. You can also walk to Matsushima Fish Market to try their special, “Oyster Burger” or all-you-can-eat oysters (seasonal). If you’re not interested in oysters, I recommend Hasekura, a small restaurant specializing in sushi rice bowls.

Explore Entsuin Temple

Walking distance from the pier, lush gardens surround this temple built in 1647 to hold the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune. Entrance is 300 yen, this is a really peaceful place to spend an hour or so.

Return to Sendai for Dinner

Check out Tsukasa, recommended by a Sendai local as the best place to eat the Sendai specialty, beef tongue.

Sunday

Sightseeing in Sendai

Sendai has a tourist bus called the Loople that makes it convenient and inexpensive to hop-on/hop-off while exploring Sendai. You can buy a day pass at the train station, or just scan your IC card (Suica and Pasmo both work) when you exit. You can check out the castle ruins, have a zunda (green soy bean) milkshake, explore Zuihoden Temple, and more easily.

Lunch

More beef tongue, anyone? There are dozens of restaurants in Sendai serving the specialty, go ahead and have some more.

Return home

Don’t forget to buy your train beers (a huge benefit to taking the Shinkansen) before you go through the gates to get the best price.