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

Should you visit Sendai or Melbourne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Melbourne, 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sendai travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a friendly, cultural, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Melbourne travel costs.

Sendai and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Melbourne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Sendai. Melbourne is bigger than Sendai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Sendai different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sendai and Melbourne.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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

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

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Both Sendai and Melbourne have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Sendai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Melbourne know how to have a good time. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Sendai or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Melbourne. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

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 the Shopping Better in Sendai or Melbourne?

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

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 Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Is Sendai or Melbourne Better for Families?

Sendai and Melbourne are both very good 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.

Melbourne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Sendai or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Sendai and Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Sendai or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sendai and Melbourne are both notable destinations for backpackers.

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.

Melbourne is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Sendai or Melbourne Better for Students?

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

Melbourne is a great destination for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Sendai and Melbourne.

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

Melbourne offers a very effecient public transportation network. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Sendai or Melbourne a more walkable city?

Sendai and Melbourne are very good when it comes to walkability.

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.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Melbourne?

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

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

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

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

One day in Sendai or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sendai. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Melbourne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Sendai. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Melbourne 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 Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Sendai. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Melbourne?

Sendai is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the progressive big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne is in Pacific, 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne 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 Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sendai is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Melbourne in the Autumn?

Both Melbourne 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sendai is around the same temperature as Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.

In the autumn, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Melbournein April. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Melbourne in the Winter?

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

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Sendai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sendai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Melbournein July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Melbourne in the Spring?

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

Sendai is cooler than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. In the spring, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Melbournein October. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Sendai