A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Berlin for Attractions, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Sendai or Berlin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Berlin, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sendai travel costs.

Berlin

Berlin is a artsy, creative, and eclectic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Berlin travel costs.

Sendai and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Berlin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Berlin than Sendai. Berlin is bigger than Sendai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Berlin is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Sendai is more popular for its beaches. Sendai is well known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Berlin is well known for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. Also, Berlin is famous for the Brandenburg Gate.

How is Sendai different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Berlin is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Berlin are world-renowned. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sendai. 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 Sendai or Berlin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

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 Sendai or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

Berlin is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Berlin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Sendai or Berlin Better for Music?

Berlin is renowned for its live music scene. However, Sendai is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Berlin. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Sendai is not a live music destination.

Is Sendai or Berlin Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Berlin is not a beach destination.

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

Berlin is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Berlin?

Berlin is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Berlin draws large crowds to its stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Sendai. 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 Sendai or Berlin Better for Families?

Sendai and Berlin are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sendai is very family-friendly. 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.

Berlin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Sendai or Berlin Better for Couples?

Sendai and Berlin are both notable to visit as a couple.

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.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Is Sendai or Berlin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berlin is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Berlin is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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 Sendai or Berlin Better for Students?

Berlin is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Berlin is a great destination for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Berlin is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Berlin has a great public transit system. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

Sendai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Is Sendai or Berlin a more walkable city?

Sendai is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

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

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Berlin?

Both Sendai and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Sendai. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Sendai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Berlin.

One day in Sendai or Berlin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sendai. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Berlin?

Sendai 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.

Berlin 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.

Five days in Sendai or Berlin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sendai or Berlin?

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

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Berlin, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia and Berlin is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin than you might in Sendai.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Berlin?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Berlin, 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 Sendai or Berlin?

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 Sendai or Berlin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Berlin. The summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

Sendai is a little warmer than Berlin in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Berlin this time of the year. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Berlin during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Berlin. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Berlin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Berlin. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Sendai is a little warmer than Berlin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Berlin averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Sendai often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Berlin. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Berlin in the Winter?

Both Berlin and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Berlin can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. In January, Sendai is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Sendai usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sendai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Berlin. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Berlin in the Spring?

Both Berlin and Sendai during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Berlin for the activities around the city during these months.

Sendai is a little warmer than Berlin in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Sendai often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Berlin. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Sendai