A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Mount Aspiring National Park for Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park, 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 cosmopolitan, lively, and high energy city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sendai travel costs.

Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is a breathtaking, undeveloped, and remote national park. Mount Aspiring National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking. See Mount Aspiring National Park travel costs.

Sendai and Mount Aspiring National Park : Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sendai than Mount Aspiring National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sendai is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Mount Aspiring National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Sendai is more touristy than Mount Aspiring National Park and is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Also, Sendai is famous for the statue of Lord Masamune. Mount Aspiring National Park is well known for its mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes.

How is Sendai different from Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park?

Sendai is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Mount Aspiring National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sendai is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Sendai. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park has a small number of restaurants to choose from. Bring plenty of food supplies, because amenities are in short supply in many parts of the park.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park for its evening party scene.

Sendai offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park doesn't offer many options. Stargazing is the best nightlife in the area.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Hiking?

Mount Aspiring National Park is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Mount Aspiring National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are many different types of trails in the park that range from shorter day hikes to multi-day hikes. The difficulty level doesn't always correspond to the length of the hike, so do your research before you set out. Some of the most known hikes in the area are the Blue Pools Track, the Rob Roy Track, the Routeburn Track, and the challenging Cascade Saddle Route.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park?

Sendai is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park More Beautiful?

Mount Aspiring National Park is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Mount Aspiring National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The stunning mountain scenery and pristine, rugged hikes make this a truly spectacular alpine setting.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Families?

Sendai and Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The park offers a stunning natural setting that will inspire a child's love of nature. There are a number of kid-friendly hikes in the park with some of the most popular being the Blue Pools Track, Routeburn Nature Walk, the Roaring Billy Falls Walk, and the Thunder Creek Falls Walk.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Couples?

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

Mount Aspiring National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with inspiring scenery and a breathtaking mountain setting, this park is perfect for couples who appreciate nature's beauty. There are hiking trails, waterfalls, and striking views that will spark the romance in any relationship.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mount Aspiring National Park 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, Mount Aspiring National Park is extremely popular for backpackers. Set in the beautiful Southern Alps, backpackers will love exploring the impressive mountain scenery and breathtaking views.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sendai is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Mount Aspiring National Park. It's possible to arrange transportation to the trailheads from Te Anau or Wanaka.

Is Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park a more walkable city?

Sendai is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Mount Aspiring National Park is not as famous, but is still a good national park to visit 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a somewhat walkable city. There are day hikes as well as mult-day back country hikes through the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Sendai Worth Visiting? and Is Mount Aspiring National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

In either Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park .

Families should spend more time in Sendai than Mount Aspiring National Park . 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 Mount Aspiring National Park . You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sendai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sendai than Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Sendai.

One day in Sendai or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

The high energy destination of Sendai offers shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Mount Aspiring National Park. 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sendai has to offer.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Sendai is a fun place to experience. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Mount Aspiring National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant city of Sendai. It offers something for everyone. 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.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the remote destination of Mount Aspiring National Park. This national park 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Mount Aspiring National Park , 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 Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park Expensive?.