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

Should you visit Sendai or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Toronto, 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sendai travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Sendai and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Sendai. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Sendai attracts visitors for its beaches. Sendai is famous for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower.

How is Sendai different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toronto 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 Toronto are world-renowned. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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 Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

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 Toronto Better for Nightlife?

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

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

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 Toronto Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Toronto?

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

Known for shopping, Toronto draws large crowds to its stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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 Toronto Better for Families?

Sendai and Toronto 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.

Toronto is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Sendai or Toronto Better for Couples?

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

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

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 Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of 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 Toronto Better for Students?

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

Toronto is a great destination for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Toronto 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.

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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 Toronto a more walkable city?

Sendai and Toronto are high quality 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.

Toronto is a very walkable destination. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Toronto?

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

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

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

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

One day in Sendai or Toronto?

In Sendai, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Toronto 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 Toronto?

In Sendai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sendai has to offer.

Toronto 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 Toronto?

Sendai is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto 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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Toronto?

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

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 Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sendai is generally around the same temperature as Toronto. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 23°C (73°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Toronto. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Toronto. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Sendai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Sendai is a little warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Sendai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Toronto. Many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sendai is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sendai in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Sendai usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Toronto. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

In April, Sendai is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 10°C (51°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Sendai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Toronto. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Sendai