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

Should you visit Sendai or Rome?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Rome, 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 high energy, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sendai travel costs.

Rome

Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Rome travel costs.

Sendai and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Sendai, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Sendai is known for its beaches. Rome is more touristy than Sendai and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August.

The Colosseum

How is Sendai different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome 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 Rome are world-renowned. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Rome is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome Better for Music?

Rome 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 Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Sendai is not a live music destination.

Is Sendai or Rome Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a city with good options for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Rome?

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

Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome More Beautiful?

Rome is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sendai or Rome Better for Families?

Sendai and Rome are both high quality 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.

Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Sendai or Rome Better for Couples?

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

Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

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 Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome 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, Rome is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome Better for Students?

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

Rome is a great destination for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Rome 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.

Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Rome or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Rome?

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

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

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

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

One day in Sendai or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sendai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Rome 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 Rome?

Sendai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Rome 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 Rome?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Sendai. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Rome. 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 Rome?

The lively city of Sendai offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Rome 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Rome, 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 Rome?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sendai or Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Sendai during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sendai is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Rome. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Rome. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sendai is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sendai usually receives more rain than Rome. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sendai or Rome in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Rome. Many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. Sendai is much colder than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Sendai often gets more sunshine than Rome. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sendai is cooler than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sendai usually receives more rain than Rome. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Sendai