HOME > Sendai : Verdant Avenue to the North
Why Sendai? Six Great Reasons to Visit!
Sendai is the cultural, economic, and industrial center of Japan's mysterious northeast: an area known as the Tohoku region. With a colorful history shaped by the famous warlord Date Masamune; warm, welcoming people; delicious food; and some of Japan's best-loved festivals, Sendai is not only a great holiday destination, but an excellent base from which to venture further into the Japanese north.
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Making Spirits Bright and Filling the City With Light: Sendai's Winter Events and Festivals!
As winter arrives in Sendai, everyone starts to look forward to one particular event. From December 12 until the end of this year, the center of the city will be illuminated in the "Sendai Pageant of Starlight," an event which has taken place since 1986. From its humble beginnings as a small event by local volunteers, it has now become a seasonal tradition of Sendai, and well known across Japan. Hundreds of thousands of lights envelop Sendai's Jozenji-dori and Aoba-dori Avenues, warming the winter with its romantic atmosphere. For the duration of the event, Loople Sendai, the city's sightseeing bus, runs a special "Pageant of Starlight" route allowing riders to travel through a tunnel of light as it passes through the streets of Sendai.
On January 2 of each year businesses across Japan have a New Year's tradition of selling fukubukuro, or "lucky bags." Customers pay a set price for a bag with unknown contents, taking a chance that they'll end up with a great deal like a designer handbag or expensive electronics. Sendai's department stores, shopping streets, and specialty stores have held their own "Sendai Hatsuuri Sale" (First Sale) since the time of samurai warlord Date Masamune. Sendai's First Sale is famous for its extravagant lucky bags filled to the brim with premium goods. Many of the "lucky bags" are actually "lucky boxes!" At the most popular stores, hopeful customers will line up from the night before, hoping to strike a bargain before supplies run out. The chance to strike it big in Sendai means that there are more shoppers streaming in from outside prefectures than from the city itself!
During the Dontonsai Festival on January 14 worshippers gather their New Year's decorations and burn them in a large bonfire at local shrines to pray for happiness, prosperity, and good health. At the city's Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, a national treasure, men clad only in a white cotton cloth with headband and socks to match carry a lantern, bell, and paper in the hadakamairi, or "nude march." This raucous event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the shrine, worshippers and sightseers alike.
Japan's Tohoku region in the northeast has an image of chilly winters, but the balancing effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean means Sendai City is comparatively warm. With plenty of clear skies and calm weather, famous hotsprings nearby at Akiu and Sakunami, access to nearby ski resorts, and all of the exciting winter events, Sendai makes a great winter getaway!
Getting to Sendai
Sendai lies 350 km north of the nation's capital, Tokyo.
Sendai can be reached from Narita Airport or Sendai Airport as outlined below.
Getting to Sendai from Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport is the country's main entry point. Sendai can be reached from Narita Airport by train, highway bus and airplane.
[By Train - JR]
Narita Airport Station > Tokyo Station > Sendai Station
(Approximate travel time: 2 hours 40 minutes, not including transfers.)
From Narita Airport take the limited express Narita Express train to Tokyo Station (approx. 1 hour). From Tokyo Station take the Hayate Tohoku Shinkansen (reserved seat bullet train) to Sendai Station, which stops at only four stations and takes a mere 1 hour 36 minutes.
Cost: JPY 2,940 + JPY 10,790 = JPY 13,730
- Conveniently, there are numerous shinkansen (bullet trains) a day that go to Sendai. In addition to the Hayate Shinkansen there is the Yamabiko Shinkansen, which has unreserved seating and makes more stops, meaning that the journey takes around 2 hours.
- Overseas visitors can also purchase special train passes (Japan Rail Pass, JR East Pass) that allow travel from Narita Airport to Sendai Station.
[By Highway Bus]
Narita International Airport > Sendai (Approximate travel time: 8 hours)
The Polar Star overnight bus service, which is jointly run by Miyagi Transportation Co., Ltd. and the Keisei Bus Co., Ltd., leaves from Narita Terminal 2 at 21:15, then from Narita Terminal 1 at 21:30, and arrives in Sendai at 05:15 the following morning. Tickets cost JPY 7,500 per adult.
This is a good choice for budget-conscious travelers. Tickets must be booked by 16:00 of the day of travel. Booking can be done either through a travel agent or from the Multimedia Stations (MMS) located in convenience stores nationwide.
Highway buses from central Tokyo to Sendai
A number of companies run highway bus services to Sendai from locations within the city of Tokyo, such as from Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station. For example, JR Bus Tohoku runs three services a day leaving from Shinjuku at 09:00, 14:00 and 23:59. The journey takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes and costs JPY 6,210 one-way or JPY 11,500 return.
[By Air]
Narita International Airport > Sendai Airport
(Approximate travel time: 1 hour)
Two flights per day (in both directions). Price: JPY 18,100
Getting into Sendai City from Sendai Airport
Sendai Airport, located in the outskirts of Sendai City, serves international flights from Seoul, Guam, Taipei, Changchun, Beijing (indirect), Dalian, and Shanghai. In addition to this, the airport serves domestic flights from 10 cities including Tokyo (Narita), Sapporo, Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka.
[By Train]
Sendai Airport Transit Railway: JR Sendai Station is only 17 minutes from the airport by rapid train or 25 minutes by local train. Trains leave every 20-30 minutes. Tickets cost JPY 630 per adult.
[By Limousine Bus]
Getting to JR Sendai Station from Sendai Airport by limousine bus takes approximately 35 minutes. Buses leave approximately 30 minutes after international flight arrivals. Tickets cost JPY 700 per adult.
[By Taxi]
Getting to JR Sendai Station from Sendai Airport by taxi takes approximately 40 minutes and costs approximately JPY 5,500 - JPY 6,500.
An Excellent Choice as a Convention Venue
The city of Sendai is a large, modern metropolis. While being the focal city of the Tohoku region, Sendai has at the same time been blessed with an abundance of natural beauty; hence being known as the City of Trees. Traces still remain of a cherished culture from days gone by--particularly the many historical areas and artifacts created thanks to the feared military leader Date Masamune. Under Masamune's rule, cultural and technical advances from abroad were brought to the country, which in turn helped create new innovations in Japanese culture.
Sendai is a college town that is home to over 20 universities and junior colleges, including the world-renowned research center of Tohoku University. With numerous cutting-edge research institutes, including a semi-conductor research center, Sendai plays host to frequent international conferences, both large and small, every year.
1. Ease of Access
Sendai Airport serves regular international flights to and from seven destinations, including Taiwan and Beijing, on six different routes. From Narita Airport, by using the Narita Express train and Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train service, Sendai can be reached in a little over 2 hours 30 minutes. In addition to regular flights from all major Japanese cities, Sendai can also be reached by highway and ferry.
2. A Wealth of Facilities
With its numerous accommodation options, a full-scale international convention center (Sendai International Center), and the Yume Messe Miyagi (Miyagi Exhibition Center)--the Tohoku region's largest exhibition center--Sendai is fully equipped to hold events of any type and size.
3. Post-Convention Sights
After a productive conference, take some time out and see some of Sendai's famous sights. Matsushima Bay--one of Japan's Three Scenic Wonders--the Zao National Park, Yamadera mountain temple complex, and the hot spring areas of Akiu Onsen and Sakunami Onsen are all within easy reach of Sendai. Many people also come to the Sendai area year-round for outdoor activities like golf and skiing, and Sendai's seasonal festivals.
Make Sendai the first choice for your next international convention.
