A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Cairns for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sendai or Cairns?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Cairns, 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 lively, high energy, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sendai travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a idyllic, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Cairns travel costs.

Sendai and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Cairns?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cairns than Sendai. While Sendai is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cairns is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Sendai is known for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Cairns is more touristy than Sendai and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August.

How is Sendai different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairns 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 Cairns?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Sendai offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

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

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

Cairns has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

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 Cairns Better for Nightlife?

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

Cairns is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

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 Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai is not a resort destination.

Cairns is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

Is Sendai or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Cairns specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sendai or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is renowned for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches in Cairns are among the best in the world. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

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

Is Sendai or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Cairns draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Cairns?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Sendai and Cairns.

Sendai is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cairns. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Sendai or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Cairns is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Sendai or Cairns Better for Couples?

Cairns is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Cairns makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Sendai is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Sendai or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns 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, Cairns is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

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 Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Sendai can get you to most places easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Sendai or Cairns a more walkable city?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Sendai is a very walkable destination. 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.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Cairns?

In either Sendai or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Sendai because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns 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 Cairns.

One day in Sendai or Cairns?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cairns. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Cairns?

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.

Cairns is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sendai or Cairns?

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 Cairns. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the tropical destination of Cairns. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Cairns, 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. Even though Sendai is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Cairns?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Cairns, 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 Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Sendai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sendai or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sendai is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Should I visit Sendai or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns and Sendai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Sendai is generally much colder than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.

Should I visit Sendai or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Cairns. The winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. Sendai is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

In January, Sendai usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Cairns. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.

In the spring, Sendai is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Sendai