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Sendai (仙台) is the largest city, with around 1 million people, in the Tohoku region of Japan's Honshu island. Zuihoden

Sendai is divided into five districts: Aoba-ku, Izumi-ku, Miyagino-ku, Taihaku-ku and Wakabayashi-ku.

As everyone here will tell you, "Sendai is not too big and not too small, it's very convenient and it's close to both the sea and the mountains." Sendai is a comfortable and pleasant city — it's a nice place to live. It's very green — in fact they call it 杜の都 (Mori no Miyako, "The City of Trees"). The main avenues around the city are wide and tree-lined, giving the city an almost European feel. The main shopping street — confusingly known by two different names, Chūō-dōri (中央通り) and CLIS Road — is pedestrianised and covered, so it feels like a mall. Several large universities are located in Sendai, attracting young adults from throughout the Tohoku area.

Although there is evidence of settlements in the Sendai region dating back over 20,000 years, it was not until the local feudal ruler, Date Masamune, moved his capital here in 1600 that the city began to take on any significance. He established a fine castle on Aobayama (green leaf mountain) and the town that was built below the castle near the Hirose River was built according to the traditional street grid pattern. The original name of the area was also Sendai, but the Chinese characters at the time were different (千代). They used to refer to a temple on Aobayama that housed a thousand Buddha statues. Later, Date Matsume changed the Chinese characters to mean 'hermit on a platform,' (仙台) which referred to a mythical palace in the mountains in China. It is this latter name that is used by the present-day city.

There are two ways of looking at the weather here. One is the way most Japanese people seem to look at it: it's not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer, compared to other Japanese cities to the south. Others find it chilly year round.

Winter temperatures rarely dip below zero Celsius, and snow, though frequent in winter, melts quickly. Winter weather is very rainy, yielding to variable weather in spring. There is a long rainy season, marked by consistently cool and cloudy weather, which typically coincides with the month of June, but has been known to set in right after the cherry-blossom blooms in April and to continue through July, and even August.

When (and if) the rainy season ends, summer weather is warm and humid, (average high in August is 28°C (82°F) until September, which brings typhoon season. Most of the typhoons do little damage, having dissipated somewhat on their travel north, but fall on Sendai as very heavy rainstorms, following one another in close succession.

For those who prefer dry sunny weather, autumn is the most reliable time for pleasant conditions in Sendai. In October, the weather becomes clear, dry and sunny, though cool, usually throughout the month and sometimes well into November. Daytime temperatures hover around 18°C, with cooler nights. Rice harvesting is done at this time, while the fields found just outside the city are golden.

Sendai is not what you'd call a tourist city - it was flattened in the war and rebuilt after that so there aren't many historical sights. Gozain Sendai Volunteer English Interpreter and Tour Guide Group will give you a free guided tour (no charge for the guides) of the sights in and around Sendai.

Miyagi Museum of Art, 34-1 Kawauchi-Motohasekura, Aoba-ku. A reasonable collection of modern art. Special room for Juryo Sato, a local (but nationally famous) sculptor. Beautiful garden and a nice view of the river.

Aoba Castle Gate

Ōsaki Hachiman Shrine. Completed in 1607, and is designated a national treasure. The metal ornaments and colorful designs displayed against the black lacquer woodwork is an especially attractive feature.
Statue of Kannon, Izumi-ku. There is a huge statue of Kannon (the Buddhist deity of compassion) outside the city that is worth seeing. However, don't expect to find it mentioned in any guides. Ask locals for directions.
Sendai Mediatheque, Aoba-ku. This building was designed by Toyo Ito and is an important piece of contemporary architecture. Take a look at the outstanding structure while enjoying the cafeteria and design shop on the ground level. On the 5th and 6th floor there are free art galleries with temporary exhibitions.
Rinno-ji, 1-14-1 Kitayama, Aoba-ku (By bus, take the Kitayama-Shiheimachi line and get off at Rinno-ji mae., +81 22 234-5327. An historic temple with ponds and a large traditional garden, which is especially attractive when the azaleas are in bloom.
SS30 Building Observation Lounge, Aoba-ku, Chūō, 4 Chome (At the intersection of Higashi Nibancho Street and Kitamenmachi Street.. This office tower has an observation deck on the 29 and 30th floors, which is open and free to the public.
Sendai City Museum, Kawauchi 26 (Get off the train at JR Sendai station. Take city bus for Dobutsukoen-junkan, Aobadai, Miyakyodai (Miyagi university of education), Naritasan, (via Aoba-dori Ave.) at 9 depot of the Sendai bus terminal. It takes about 10 minutes to Museum/International center's stop. The museum is 3 minutes walk from the stop..
Yagiyama Zoo. Elephants, lions, bears, tigers! Mingle with the rabbits. Coin lockers available. ¥400, ¥100 for kids.
Sendai Castle Ruins, +81 22-225-3074. Often recommended by locals. There's a replica of a gate and a statue of the founder of the city, Date Masumune. However, the ruins of Sendai Castle is the theme of a famous poem written by Doi Bansui called 'Kojo no Tsuki' - 'The Moon over the desolate castle'. In the poem, the author touchingly invites us to reflect on the impermanence of all life, which is represented by the ruins of the once great castle caught in the light of the full moon. The poem has been put to music and is famous throughout Japan.
The Museum of the Forest of Depths of the Earth, 4-2-1 Nagamachi-Minami, Taihaku-ku, +81 22-246-9153. The museum of the stone age. In the museum, restoration exhibition of that time is carried out based on the data discovered from public presentation and there of the ruins 20,000-year Saki's Old Stone Age unearthed from Tomizawa ruins (富沢遺跡）. ¥400, ¥200 for students, ¥100 for kids.
Zuihoden, 23-2, Otamayashita,Aoba-ku (By car: approximately 20 minutes by car from Sendai Miyagi IC (parking available free of charge.) By bus: take a Loople Sendai bus from the West Exit of JR Sendai Station (BusPool No.15-3) and get off at the Zuihoden-mae bus stop. Or,take a city bus (BusPool No.11) or a bus of Miyagi Transportation Co. (BusPool No.12) from the West Exit of JR Sendai Station and get off at the Otamayahashi bus stop., +81 22-262-6250. 09:00-16:00 or 16.30. Mausoleum of Date Maasamune, first lord of Sendai Domain. Zuihoden was designed in the ornate style of the Momoyama Period. It features intricate woodwork and a rich variety of vivid colors. Massive cedar trees surround the paths in the area, and are meant to symbolize the long history of the Date clan. A museum beside the Zuihoden main building shows some of the personal artifacts of the Date family, and even some specimens of their bones and hair. ¥550.

Miyagi Museum of Art, 34-1 Kawauchi-Motohasekura, Aoba-ku. A reasonable collection of modern art. Special room for Juryo Sato, a local (but nationally famous) sculptor. Beautiful garden and a nice view of the river.

Ōsaki Hachiman Shrine. Completed in 1607, and is designated a national treasure. The metal ornaments and colorful designs displayed against the black lacquer woodwork is an especially attractive feature.

Statue of Kannon, Izumi-ku. There is a huge statue of Kannon (the Buddhist deity of compassion) outside the city that is worth seeing. However, don't expect to find it mentioned in any guides. Ask locals for directions.

Sendai Mediatheque, Aoba-ku. This building was designed by Toyo Ito and is an important piece of contemporary architecture. Take a look at the outstanding structure while enjoying the cafeteria and design shop on the ground level. On the 5th and 6th floor there are free art galleries with temporary exhibitions.

Rinno-ji, 1-14-1 Kitayama, Aoba-ku (By bus, take the Kitayama-Shiheimachi line and get off at Rinno-ji mae., +81 22 234-5327. An historic temple with ponds and a large traditional garden, which is especially attractive when the azaleas are in bloom.

SS30 Building Observation Lounge, Aoba-ku, Chūō, 4 Chome (At the intersection of Higashi Nibancho Street and Kitamenmachi Street.. This office tower has an observation deck on the 29 and 30th floors, which is open and free to the public.

Sendai City Museum, Kawauchi 26 (Get off the train at JR Sendai station. Take city bus for Dobutsukoen-junkan, Aobadai, Miyakyodai (Miyagi university of education), Naritasan, (via Aoba-dori Ave.) at 9 depot of the Sendai bus terminal. It takes about 10 minutes to Museum/International center's stop. The museum is 3 minutes walk from the stop..

Yagiyama Zoo. Elephants, lions, bears, tigers! Mingle with the rabbits. Coin lockers available. ¥400, ¥100 for kids.

Sendai Castle Ruins, +81 22-225-3074. Often recommended by locals. There's a replica of a gate and a statue of the founder of the city, Date Masumune. However, the ruins of Sendai Castle is the theme of a famous poem written by Doi Bansui called 'Kojo no Tsuki' - 'The Moon over the desolate castle'. In the poem, the author touchingly invites us to reflect on the impermanence of all life, which is represented by the ruins of the once great castle caught in the light of the full moon. The poem has been put to music and is famous throughout Japan.

The Museum of the Forest of Depths of the Earth, 4-2-1 Nagamachi-Minami, Taihaku-ku, +81 22-246-9153. The museum of the stone age. In the museum, restoration exhibition of that time is carried out based on the data discovered from public presentation and there of the ruins 20,000-year Saki's Old Stone Age unearthed from Tomizawa ruins (富沢遺跡）. ¥400, ¥200 for students, ¥100 for kids.

Zuihoden, 23-2, Otamayashita,Aoba-ku (By car: approximately 20 minutes by car from Sendai Miyagi IC (parking available free of charge.) By bus: take a Loople Sendai bus from the West Exit of JR Sendai Station (BusPool No.15-3) and get off at the Zuihoden-mae bus stop. Or,take a city bus (BusPool No.11) or a bus of Miyagi Transportation Co. (BusPool No.12) from the West Exit of JR Sendai Station and get off at the Otamayahashi bus stop., +81 22-262-6250. 09:00-16:00 or 16.30. Mausoleum of Date Maasamune, first lord of Sendai Domain. Zuihoden was designed in the ornate style of the Momoyama Period. It features intricate woodwork and a rich variety of vivid colors. Massive cedar trees surround the paths in the area, and are meant to symbolize the long history of the Date clan. A museum beside the Zuihoden main building shows some of the personal artifacts of the Date family, and even some specimens of their bones and hair. ¥550.

One of the few and only tour companies based locally and catering to English speaking travelers in Sendai with plans for is Attract Tohoku Their unique experiences include a food parade around the city, exploring hidden alleys, bar hopping like a local, and even a Japanese style hair-and-makeup package.
The biggest festival in Sendai is Tanabata (七夕). The festival starts with fireworks on Aug 5th and then the festival proper is from Aug 6th to Aug 8th. The streets are decorated with big paper decorations, there's a parade and... well, that's about it.
In December, there's the Pageant of Starlight which isn't really a festival as such. The trees in two of the city's main avenues - Aoba-dōri and Jōzenji-dōri - are festooned in thousands of orange lights. The effect is very pleasant, with the orange glow casting a warmth over the otherwise cold and frosty streets.
Donto-sai Festival. Held at the Osaki Hachiman Shrine on January 14 every year.
Michinoku-Yosakoi Festival.
Benyland, Yagiyama. This is a fun little amusement park. It's not exactly Disneyland, but you can have a fun few hours on the roller coasters and other rides.
Nikka Whisky Distillery Tour, Nikka 1, Aoba-ku (Sakunami) (Go to Sakunami Station (on the Senzan line) and take a taxi from there.. No English. 09:00-11:30, and 12:30-15:30. Tours are conducted every 15 to 20 minutes. Tours take one hour. Free whisky at the end of the tour.

The biggest festival in Sendai is Tanabata (七夕). The festival starts with fireworks on Aug 5th and then the festival proper is from Aug 6th to Aug 8th. The streets are decorated with big paper decorations, there's a parade and... well, that's about it.

In December, there's the Pageant of Starlight which isn't really a festival as such. The trees in two of the city's main avenues - Aoba-dōri and Jōzenji-dōri - are festooned in thousands of orange lights. The effect is very pleasant, with the orange glow casting a warmth over the otherwise cold and frosty streets.

Donto-sai Festival. Held at the Osaki Hachiman Shrine on January 14 every year.

Michinoku-Yosakoi Festival.

Benyland, Yagiyama. This is a fun little amusement park. It's not exactly Disneyland, but you can have a fun few hours on the roller coasters and other rides.

Nikka Whisky Distillery Tour, Nikka 1, Aoba-ku (Sakunami) (Go to Sakunami Station (on the Senzan line) and take a taxi from there.. No English. 09:00-11:30, and 12:30-15:30. Tours are conducted every 15 to 20 minutes. Tours take one hour. Free whisky at the end of the tour.

Kokeshi

Sendai hira - silk
tsutsumiyaki - pottery
yanagi'u washi - hand made paper
Sendai tsuishu - lacquerware
kokeshi - wooden dolls, popular throughout the Tohoku region.
Sendai tansu - wardrobe
Matsukawa Daruma
Tamamushi nuri - lacquerware

Sendai hira - silk

tsutsumiyaki - pottery

yanagi'u washi - hand made paper

Sendai tsuishu - lacquerware

kokeshi - wooden dolls, popular throughout the [[Tohoku]] region.

Sendai tansu - wardrobe

Matsukawa Daruma

Tamamushi nuri - lacquerware

Sendai's specialties include gyūtan (牛タン), grilled beef tongue; sasakamaboko (笹かまぼこ), a type of fish sausage; and zundamochi (ずんだ餅), sweet green soybean paste eaten with soft glutinous rice balls. Sendai-Miso （仙台味噌）has a long history.　Hiyashi-Chuka（冷やし中華）is made in Sendai.

Gyutan teishoku

Rikyu, Aoba-ku Chuo 1-6-1 (There's one on the corner of Ekimae-dori and Hirose-dori, across from the AER Building.. A famous chain of gyūtan restaurants. Order the teishoku (set meal) - this includes meat, pickles, barley rice, leek, and a clear oxtail soup with real tail. ¥1000.
Ichimuan, Westin Hotel Sendai 37F, 1-9-1 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, +81 22 713 8350. lunch: 11:30-14:00 (last order) dinner: 17:30-21:30 (last order). Ichimuan specializes in Kyoto Haute cuisine (kaiseki) while utilizing fine Sendai produce. The restaurant also has a teppanyaki grill counter seats where visitors can enjoy fine Sendai beef. The view from the 37th floor is pretty impressive. Lunch is buffet style. Reservations essential (to avoid disappointment). Lunch starts from ¥3234. Dinner courses start from ¥6930. A la carte is also available..
Oden Sankichi, 4-10-8 Ichiban-cho, Aoba-ku. M-Sa lunch and dinner. This restaurant specializes in oden, a Japanese fish stew of sorts with ingredients slowly simmered for hours if not days in a soy broth. Goes well with beer or sake, and especially popular in winter. Bowl of oden ¥500.
Sendai Aoba-Tei, +81 22 2128027. 11:00-23:00. A high quality gyūtan restaurant. Menu has pictures, though it may be not easy to guess what is gyūtan. Around noon, be prepared to queue. Plate around ¥1400.
Mitsukoshi Food Court. The department store food court is an excellent place to sample Sendai's specialties.
Kaki Toku, 4-0-1 Ichiban-cho, Aoba-ku. M-F 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00; Sa 11:30-20:00; Su 11:30-21:00. Special hours on holidays.. Miyagi and Hiroshima are famous for oysters, and Kaki Toku, which has been running since 1927, is one of the area's most renowned oyster restaurants. ¥3000.
Kameki Sushi, 6-12 Shintomi-cho, Shiogama. W-M 11:00-21:00. Some locals believe it is the best sushi restaurant in Japan. Uses exclusively locally caught fish. No credit cards. ¥5,250 for a full course.
Tsukasa. From 17:00 until sold-out. ¥2000.

There is "Shushi road" in Sendai station. At there you can enjoy delicious Shushi in unexpensive price.

Rikyu, Aoba-ku Chuo 1-6-1 (There's one on the corner of Ekimae-dori and Hirose-dori, across from the AER Building.. A famous chain of gyūtan restaurants. Order the teishoku (set meal) - this includes meat, pickles, barley rice, leek, and a clear oxtail soup with real tail. ¥1000.

Ichimuan, Westin Hotel Sendai 37F, 1-9-1 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, +81 22 713 8350. lunch: 11:30-14:00 (last order) dinner: 17:30-21:30 (last order). Ichimuan specializes in Kyoto Haute cuisine (kaiseki) while utilizing fine Sendai produce. The restaurant also has a teppanyaki grill counter seats where visitors can enjoy fine Sendai beef. The view from the 37th floor is pretty impressive. Lunch is buffet style. Reservations essential (to avoid disappointment). Lunch starts from ¥3234. Dinner courses start from ¥6930. A la carte is also available..

Oden Sankichi, 4-10-8 Ichiban-cho, Aoba-ku. M-Sa lunch and dinner. This restaurant specializes in oden, a Japanese fish stew of sorts with ingredients slowly simmered for hours if not days in a soy broth. Goes well with beer or sake, and especially popular in winter. Bowl of oden ¥500.

Sendai Aoba-Tei, +81 22 2128027. 11:00-23:00. A high quality gyūtan restaurant. Menu has pictures, though it may be not easy to guess what is gyūtan. Around noon, be prepared to queue. Plate around ¥1400.

Mitsukoshi Food Court. The department store food court is an excellent place to sample Sendai's specialties.

Kaki Toku, 4-0-1 Ichiban-cho, Aoba-ku. M-F 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00; Sa 11:30-20:00; Su 11:30-21:00. Special hours on holidays.. Miyagi and Hiroshima are famous for oysters, and Kaki Toku, which has been running since 1927, is one of the area's most renowned oyster restaurants. ¥3000.

Kameki Sushi, 6-12 Shintomi-cho, Shiogama. W-M 11:00-21:00. Some locals believe it is the best sushi restaurant in Japan. Uses exclusively locally caught fish. No credit cards. ¥5,250 for a full course.

Tsukasa. From 17:00 until sold-out. ¥2000.

Palinka, +81 22 213-7654. Excellent Italian restaurant near Zuihouden (the mausoleum of Date Masamune). Lunch: 11:30 - 14:30; Dinner: 18:00 - 21:00. Palinka has occasional concerts on weekends.
Namaskar, +81 22 257-7702. Authentic Indian restaurant with two locations. One in the BiVi building (opposite Yodabashi Camera) directly behind Sendai station, on the 4th floor. There they offer an extensive and reasonably priced buffet lunch on Sundays from 11:00-15:00. The other is on Minamimachi-dori. There they occasionally show Indian films and music videos on a large screen and carry a buffet lunch on Saturdays.
Tirol. Great Italian on Clis Road, or just west of Izumi-chou Subway Station in the north.
Hummingbird. Italian in Hotel Universe on Ichibancho-dori. Known for its fresh pasta.
Benitora. Chinese dishes (spicy). Located to the north of the AER building by Sendai station. Cross the pedestrian bridge and look for the big red kanji (means 'red tiger').
Heichinro. An upscale Chinese restaurant on top of the AER building.

Palinka, +81 22 213-7654. Excellent Italian restaurant near Zuihouden (the mausoleum of Date Masamune). Lunch: 11:30 - 14:30; Dinner: 18:00 - 21:00. Palinka has occasional concerts on weekends.

Namaskar, +81 22 257-7702. Authentic Indian restaurant with two locations. One in the BiVi building (opposite Yodabashi Camera) directly behind Sendai station, on the 4th floor. There they offer an extensive and reasonably priced buffet lunch on Sundays from 11:00-15:00. The other is on Minamimachi-dori. There they occasionally show Indian films and music videos on a large screen and carry a buffet lunch on Saturdays.

Tirol. Great Italian on Clis Road, or just west of Izumi-chou Subway Station in the north.

Hummingbird. Italian in Hotel Universe on Ichibancho-dori. Known for its fresh pasta.

Benitora. Chinese dishes (spicy). Located to the north of the AER building by Sendai station. Cross the pedestrian bridge and look for the big red kanji (means 'red tiger').

Heichinro. An upscale Chinese restaurant on top of the AER building.

Yuki Kitchen Consultant's Biologic Restaurant Potimaron, 30-11-1 Kongosawa, Taihaku-ku, +81 22 244-6275. Vegetarian and macrobiotic.
Fredrick Pantry, 3-10-1F, Kitame Machi, +81 22 715-8950. A shop and small restaurant specializing in organic and vegetarian food.
O-hisama, +81 22 224-8540. M-F 11:30-14:30 and 17:00-19:30, Sa 11:30-14:30. Walk straight for a minute or two. The place is just after a CoCo curry shop. O-hisama restaurant has vegetables for sale out front.). Vegetarian/Organic restaurant Small place. Atmosphere is very warm and the food is awesome.

Yuki Kitchen Consultant's Biologic Restaurant Potimaron, 30-11-1 Kongosawa, Taihaku-ku, +81 22 244-6275. Vegetarian and macrobiotic.

Fredrick Pantry, 3-10-1F, Kitame Machi, +81 22 715-8950. A shop and small restaurant specializing in organic and vegetarian food.

O-hisama, +81 22 224-8540. M-F 11:30-14:30 and 17:00-19:30, Sa 11:30-14:30. Walk straight for a minute or two. The place is just after a CoCo curry shop. O-hisama restaurant has vegetables for sale out front.). Vegetarian/Organic restaurant Small place. Atmosphere is very warm and the food is awesome.

Zam Zam, Aoba ku, Futsuka machi, 17-19, Dai 3 Abekatsu biru (Near Tohoku University Hospital, +81 22 224-4326. Lunch: 11:30 – 15:00; Dinner: 17:30 – 22:30. Reasonable lunch time buffet.

Zam Zam, Aoba ku, Futsuka machi, 17-19, Dai 3 Abekatsu biru (Near Tohoku University Hospital, +81 22 224-4326. Lunch: 11:30 – 15:00; Dinner: 17:30 – 22:30. Reasonable lunch time buffet.

Rock Cafe Peter Pan, 2 Chome-6-1 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku. Tu-Th Su 15:00-22:00, F Sa 15:00-00:00. Oldest cafe in Sendai. Great coffee. Excellent selection of rock music. Friendly and helpful service. English spoken.
Sendai Coffee Stand, Kokubuncho 1 Chome-3-１２, Aoba-ku, +81 22-797-1015. 11:00-23:00. A cafe with a backstreet charm. Excellent coffee. Great atmosphere.

Rock Cafe Peter Pan, 2 Chome-6-1 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku. Tu-Th Su 15:00-22:00, F Sa 15:00-00:00. Oldest cafe in Sendai. Great coffee. Excellent selection of rock music. Friendly and helpful service. English spoken.

Sendai Coffee Stand, Kokubuncho 1 Chome-3-１２, Aoba-ku, +81 22-797-1015. 11:00-23:00. A cafe with a backstreet charm. Excellent coffee. Great atmosphere.

Due to the numerous universities located near the city center, the nightlife in Sendai is excellent for a city of its size. Several small dance clubs on or around Chuo-dori fill with incredibly energetic young people most nights of the week. Kokubunchō (国分町) is the main entertainment district. Full of restaurants, izakaya, bars, hostess bars and strip clubs.

Club Shaft, Dai 3 Yoshiokaya Bldg, Kokubuncho 2 chome 10-11, +81 22 722-5651. 18:00-late. A DJ/live band club and sports bar pub founded by Julian from England. Great atmosphere. World food and beers.
Ha'penny Bridge. M-Sa 17:00-23:00. A Guinness pub.
Vilevan. A jazz bar. Free live jazz on Saturday nights.
Ernie's Bar, 1st floor Social Building, Sendai-Shi, Aoba-Ku Kokubuncho 2-1-11 (Near Hotel Richfield.. Tu-Su 18:00-05:00. A good bar in Kokubuncho frequented by foreigners with whom one can have a decent conversation. The owner and manager, Ernie, creates a cozy and relaxed atmosphere with his own mix of funky jazz, soul and house.
Wadi Halfa, 2-2-2 Omachi, Aoba-ku, +81 22 225-5241. This cafe often has live performances of Indian or African music.
E'z Bar, 2-12-19 daisankyoritsuBld. B1 kokubuncho-aobaku. This place is a little hard to find but worth the search. It's within 5 minutes of the big Don Quixote store in Kokubuncho, so don't go too far when you're looking for it. The owner, Hatakeyama-san, speaks perfect English as he lived in New Zealand for a year. Half the fun of ordering a cocktail at this place is watching the bartender cut a block of ice down for your drink!

Club Shaft, Dai 3 Yoshiokaya Bldg, Kokubuncho 2 chome 10-11, +81 22 722-5651. 18:00-late. A DJ/live band club and sports bar pub founded by Julian from England. Great atmosphere. World food and beers.

Ha'penny Bridge. M-Sa 17:00-23:00. A Guinness pub.

Vilevan. A jazz bar. Free live jazz on Saturday nights.

Ernie's Bar, 1st floor Social Building, Sendai-Shi, Aoba-Ku Kokubuncho 2-1-11 (Near Hotel Richfield.. Tu-Su 18:00-05:00. A good bar in Kokubuncho frequented by foreigners with whom one can have a decent conversation. The owner and manager, Ernie, creates a cozy and relaxed atmosphere with his own mix of funky jazz, soul and house.

Wadi Halfa, 2-2-2 Omachi, Aoba-ku, +81 22 225-5241. This cafe often has live performances of Indian or African music.

E'z Bar, 2-12-19 daisankyoritsuBld. B1 kokubuncho-aobaku. This place is a little hard to find but worth the search. It's within 5 minutes of the big Don Quixote store in Kokubuncho, so don't go too far when you're looking for it. The owner, Hatakeyama-san, speaks perfect English as he lived in New Zealand for a year. Half the fun of ordering a cocktail at this place is watching the bartender cut a block of ice down for your drink!

Hot springs
- Akiu is about 40 minutes by bus from Sendai Station (West Exit Bus Pool). Sakkan (a hotel) is right next to the bus stop.
- Sakunami is about 20 minutes by train on the Senzan Line from Sendai Station.
- Naruko is popular hot springs in Sendai.
Matsushima, located about 40 minutes away by local train (Senseki Line), is a bay full of tiny pine covered islands and is recognized as one of the three most beautiful views in Japan.
Kinkasan, 60 km away at the tip of the Oshika Peninsula, offers light hiking and lots of deer. Walk up the mountain to see monkeys. Stay at the shrine on the island and participate in the morning service (6AM).

Hot springs

[[Akiu]] is about 40 minutes by bus from Sendai Station (West Exit Bus Pool). Sakkan (a hotel) is right next to the bus stop.
[[Sakunami]] is about 20 minutes by train on the Senzan Line from Sendai Station.
Naruko is popular hot springs in Sendai.

[[Matsushima]], located about 40 minutes away by local train (Senseki Line), is a bay full of tiny pine covered islands and is recognized as one of the three most beautiful views in Japan.

[[Kinkasan]], 60 km away at the tip of the Oshika Peninsula, offers light hiking and lots of deer. Walk up the mountain to see monkeys. Stay at the shrine on the island and participate in the morning service (6AM).