A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kanazawa vs. Sendai for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kanazawa or Sendai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Sendai can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Kanazawa travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sendai travel costs.

Kanazawa and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Sendai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sendai than Kanazawa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sendai is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Sendai is famous for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also well known for the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Kanazawa different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sendai and Kanazawa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kanazawa or Sendai?

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Kanazawa or Sendai.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

Is the Food Better in Kanazawa or Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kanazawa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is great for nightlife. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Sendai for the nightlife scene. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is very good for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Sendai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kanazawa. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Sendai?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kanazawa and Sendai both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kanazawa. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Sendai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Sendai is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Kanazawa is a family-friendly place to visit. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Sendai are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Kanazawa is a nice destination for couples. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Sendai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Sendai are nice places to visit.

Kanazawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

It's common for backpackers to visit Sendai. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Sendai is not popular with students.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Sendai is fairly effecient and thorough. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Kanazawa has a few public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Is Kanazawa or Sendai a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Sendai are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Kanazawa is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Sendai is a very walkable city. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

For even more information, also check out Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? and Is Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kanazawa and Sendai. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sendai than in Kanazawa. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

Families should spend more time in Sendai than Kanazawa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sendai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sendai than Kanazawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sendai that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Kanazawa or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kanazawa. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The city of Sendai offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kanazawa or Sendai?

Kanazawa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sendai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sendai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sendai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kanazawa or Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Kanazawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sendai is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanazawa Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Sendai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kanazawa or Sendai?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Sendai. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Kanazawa usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Sendai. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Sendai. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Kanazawa is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. Kanazawa can get quite cold in the winter. Kanazawa is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Sendai during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Sendai. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Kanazawa during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In the spring, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Kanazawa