skyticket >
TRAVEL GUIDE TOP >
Genre >
Sightseeing >
Solo Trip to Sendai! Fun for Both Women and Men! A First-Time Sendai Sightseeing Guide
Solo Trip to Sendai! Fun for Both Women and Men! A First-Time Sendai Sightseeing Guide

Solo Trip to Sendai! Fun for Both Women and Men! A First-Time Sendai Sightseeing Guide

Jul 29, 2025
8 views

Your first solo trip should be to Sendai.
“If I want to travel alone, where should I go?”
For those wondering, the City of Trees—Sendai—is highly recommended! It has a modern, urban atmosphere while also allowing you to enjoy the laid-back vibe unique to Tohoku, making it a popular sightseeing destination.

table of contents

[x] close

Solo Trip to Sendai! Fun for Both Women and Men! A First-Time Sendai Sightseeing Guide

Take Your First Solo Trip to Sendai

“If I want to travel alone, where should I go?”
For those wondering, the City of Trees—Sendai—is highly recommended! It has a modern, urban atmosphere while also allowing you to enjoy the laid-back vibe unique to Tohoku, making it a popular sightseeing destination.
Sendai offers a variety of delicious foods, including its signature dish gyutan (beef tongue), fresh seafood like oysters, ramen, and more! Pair these with locally brewed sake made from high-quality rice and pristine water, and you’ll feel all your stress melt away.
Whether it’s sightseeing, gourmet food, or drinks—Sendai has it all. Why not choose it for your solo travel destination?

Save with Discounted Airfare to Sendai

There are several routes to get from Tokyo to Sendai:
Highway bus: 5–6 hours, from around ¥3,000


Local trains: 7–8 hours, ¥5,940


Shinkansen: About 1 hour 40 minutes, ¥6,940 to ¥19,930


Airplane: About 1 hour 10 minutes, ¥5,440 to ¥24,470


The cheapest option is the highway bus, but it does come with downsides like long travel time and sitting for hours.
The fastest option is flying.
Many people assume that flying is expensive, but depending on the season or by using low-cost carriers (LCCs), you can sometimes travel at surprisingly affordable rates!
First, check the average airfare to Sendai and see how much your trip might cost.

Recommended Solo Travel Spots in Sendai by Purpose

Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, offers plenty of natural destinations just a short distance from the city center.
This city, where nature and urban life coexist beautifully, is perfect for those who want to take things slow or enjoy sightseeing.

“Akiu Great Falls” – Refresh Yourself in Nature!

Akiu Great Falls is a sacred site where Priest Jikaku Daishi enshrined Otaki Fudoson. The waterfall is about 6 meters wide and approximately 55 meters high. The powerful cascade and the sunlit spray glistening in the forest create a truly awe-inspiring scene! If conditions are favorable, you might even see a rainbow.
Spring plum blossoms and cherry trees, autumn foliage—each season brings a different charm. You can get close to the basin, allowing you to fully experience the natural mist.
There are multiple viewpoints like bridges and observation decks, so you can enjoy the falls from various angles.
It’s easily accessible from Sendai City and becomes lively on weekends with many tourists. If you want to recharge by immersing in nature, Akiu Great Falls—ranked third in Japan’s best waterfalls—is highly recommended!

■ Name: Akiu Great Falls
■ Address: Otaki, Baba, Akiu Town, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
■ Access: From Sendai Station West Exit Bus Pool #8, take a bus bound for “Akiu Otaki.” From JR Senzan Line Ayashi Station, take a bus bound for “Uenohara,” “Nojiricho Kita,” or “Futakuchi,” and get off at “Akiu Otaki.”
■ Official Website: https://www.city.sendai.jp/ryokuchihozen/mesho100sen/ichiran/077.html

“Sendai Castle Ruins” – A Must-Visit for History Buffs!

Sendai Castle Ruins are the former site of the residence of the famous warlord Date Masamune. Since the castle never had a main keep and was later destroyed in an air raid, the original structure no longer exists.
However, standing in front of the equestrian statue of Masamune—who aspired to unify the country—offers a panoramic view of Sendai City.
The site is illuminated from sunset until around 11 PM, making for a beautiful night view. For history enthusiasts, there’s also the “Sendai Castle Information Center” and the “Aoba Castle Museum.” In particular, the CG reconstruction of Sendai Castle is well worth seeing!
You also shouldn’t miss Zuihoden, the ornate mausoleum where Masamune is buried. The lavish decorations are breathtakingly beautiful.
This is a must-visit spot when you go to Sendai! Many people visit solo, so you can enjoy your time freely.

■ Name: Sendai Castle Ruins
■ Address: 1 Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
■ Access: From Sendai Station West Exit Bus Pool, take the “Loople Sendai” sightseeing bus for about 25 minutes. Get off at “Sendai Castle Ruins.”
■ Official Website: https://www.honmarukaikan.com/

“Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets” – Adorable Brick-Lined Streets!

Opened in October 2008, Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets is another great destination. With about 80 domestic and international brand stores, you can enjoy shopping as well as local Sendai cuisine—like teppanyaki made with premium Sendai beef. The charming brick streets are inspired by the New England region of the U.S., famous for its beautiful autumn foliage.
Depending on the season, you might also catch illumination events or nighttime light displays, offering a different atmosphere from the daytime. This adds to the appeal of Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets.

■ Name: Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets
■ Address: 6-1-1 Teraoka, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
■ Access:
【Train】
About 20 minutes by bus from Izumi-Chuo Station on the Sendai Subway. Get off at “Teraoka 1-Chome North / Izumi Outlet” and walk 3 minutes. About 40 minutes by bus from JR Sendai Station. Get off at “Teraoka 6-Chome / Izumi Outlet.”
【Car】
About 10 minutes from Izumi IC on the Tohoku Expressway, about 5 minutes from Izumi PA Smart IC
■ Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
■ Closed: Twice a year (New Year’s Day and 3rd Thursday of February) *May vary depending on season and holidays
■ Admission: Free
■ Official Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/sendaiizumi/

“Kamaboko Kingdom: Sasakama Hall” – Make and Taste a Sendai Specialty!

Sendai is known for many delicious local foods, and one of the most famous among them is sasakama (bamboo leaf-shaped fish cake).
Its simple, savory flavor is quite addictive!
The Sasakama Hall was created so people could enjoy sasakama more closely.
They offer a factory tour course and hands-on workshops where you can make sasakama yourself—and you can even enjoy freshly made sasakama for free.
There’s also an annex called the “Tanabata Museum.” The Tanabata Festival held in August is one of the most famous festivals in the Tohoku region, and at the museum, you can admire Tanabata decorations all year round.
Since you’re already visiting the heart of it, why not try making your own sasakama?

■ Name: Kamaboko Kingdom – Sasakama Hall
■ Address: 6-65 Tsurushirocho, Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
■ Access: From Arai Station on the Tozai Subway Line, take City Bus Route 18 from platform #1 toward Okada/Shinhama and get off at “Oroshimachi Higashi 5-chome Kita”
■ Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
■ Closed: Irregular holidays
■ Admission: Free
■ Official Website: https://www.kanezaki.co.jp/shop/belle_factory/

Enjoying a Solo Trip in Sendai – For Men and Women

Traveling solo in Sendai can be enjoyed in different ways depending on whether you’re male or female.
Let’s look at what each can enjoy!

“For Men” – Solo Trip in Sendai

If you’re a man who enjoys sports, watching live games is a great option.
Sendai is home to several sports teams including Vegalta Sendai (soccer), Vegalta Sendai Ladies (women’s soccer), Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (baseball), and Sendai 89ers (basketball).
There’s nothing like cheering from the home ground for the full energy and excitement!
Sendai also offers an abundance of great food.
From gyutan (beef tongue), seafood dishes, and zunda mochi to ramen (a competitive local favorite), food-hopping is highly recommended.
And don’t forget Kokubuncho, said to be the largest entertainment district in Tohoku.
It has many bars and eateries suited for solo drinking, making it perfect for eating exactly what you want—your way!

“For Women” – Solo Trip in Sendai

For women visiting Sendai alone, one must-try experience is riding the “Loople Sendai” sightseeing bus. With its retro design, just riding it is already fun!
Sendai also has many cafés, which women are sure to enjoy. From vintage-style shops to European-inspired interiors, there’s a wide variety, and café hopping never gets boring.
Many cafés also offer zunda mochi (sweet edamame rice cakes), so be sure to indulge in sweets to your heart’s content.
If you’d prefer to take it slow, visit the Tohoku University Botanical Garden and unwind in nature.
Sendai is also home to many hot springs (onsen), including Akiu Onsen, one of the three famous hot springs in the Oshu region, located near Akiu Great Falls.
Take your time to relax and heal from daily fatigue in the soothing waters.

Staying in Budget Hotels in Sendai

If you plan to enjoy sightseeing in Sendai, choosing the right hotel is important.
To make the most of your visit, budget hotels are a great choice.
Kokubuncho has many affordable hotel options, making it ideal for solo travelers.
The area also has many shops, making it quite convenient.
Why not make Kokubuncho your base for your solo Sendai adventure?

Summary of a Solo Trip to Sendai

Sendai is a place where you can experience the changing seasons and nature throughout the year.
With its many tourist attractions and well-developed urban infrastructure, it’s a great destination for solo travelers.
While enjoying the traditional culture at popular landmarks, you might also discover new and unique hidden spots that you can fully appreciate on your own.

RELATED ARTICLES

REGIONS

CATEGORIES

FEATURED ON miyagi

MOST POPULAR ON miyagi