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

Should you visit Sendai or Wollongong?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Wollongong, 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 vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively 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.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a vibrant, student-friendly, and trendy coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Wollongong travel costs.

Sendai and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Wollongong?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wollongong than Sendai. While Sendai is larger than Wollongong, Wollongong has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wollongong is more popular for its food, beaches, and hiking, while Sendai is known for its shopping. Sendai is more touristy than Wollongong and is known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Wollongong is popular for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. It is also home to Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Sendai different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Wollongong. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

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

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

Wollongong has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

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 Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

Both Sendai and Wollongong 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 Wollongong know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

Is Sendai or Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Wollongong 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 Wollongong. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

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 Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Wollongong is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Wollongong has hiking trails worth exploring. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Wollongong?

Sendai is great for its shopping areas. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Sendai or Wollongong Better for Families?

Sendai and Wollongong 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.

Wollongong is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Is Sendai or Wollongong Better for Couples?

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

Wollongong makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

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 Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sendai and Wollongong are both good 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.

Wollongong is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Sendai or Wollongong Better for Students?

Wollongong is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wollongong. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

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

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.

Wollongong offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

Is Sendai or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Sendai and Wollongong 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.

Wollongong is a very walkable destination. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

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

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Wollongong?

It's fun to spend time in either Sendai or Wollongong. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wollongong due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wollongong.

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

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

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

One day in Sendai or Wollongong?

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Sendai, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wollongong. 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 Wollongong?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sendai, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Wollongong 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 Wollongong?

Sendai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wollongong. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Sendai or Wollongong?

Sendai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Wollongong. This coastal 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 Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong 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 Wollongong 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 Wollongong Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Wollongong?

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

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Wollongong. Many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wollongong for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sendai is around the same temperature as Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Wollongong averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Wollongong in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Wollongong. Most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Sendai is generally cooler than Wollongongin April. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin April. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Wollongongin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Wollongong in the Winter?

Both Wollongong and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Wollongong this time of year.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. Sendai is much colder than Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Wollongongin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Wollongong in the Spring?

Both Wollongong and Sendai during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Sendai is much colder than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin October. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Wollongongin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Sendai