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Sendai was largely demolished by Allied bombing during WWII. The city was rebuilt with wide, tree-lined streets that make for relaxing strolls. As the largest and most commercially important city in the region, Sendai serves as one of Tōhoku’s principle transportation hubs.

Even if you never actually spend the night here, be sure to take some time between catching trains to explore this compact and relaxed city. And of course it’s worth pointing out that Sendai’s justifiably famous Tanabata Matsuri is definitely one of the best festivals in both Tōhoku and Japan.

Orientation

From Sendai station, located east of most of the action, the broad sweep of Aoba-dōri, lined with many of the major department stores, banks and hotels, leads west to a park, Aoba-yama. The main shopping areas are the series of arcades along Chūō-dōri (also known as CLIS Rd) and Ichibanchō-dōri, which intersect just east of Kokubunchō-dōri, the main drag of Tōhoku’s largest entertainment district. To the north is Jozenji-dōri, a delightful street lined with lush trees.

Information

BOOKSHOPS

Maruzen (Map; 264-0151; 1-3-1 Chūō, Aoba-ku; 10am-9pm, to 8pm Sun & holidays) English-language magazines and books on the AER building’s 1st floor, steps away from the station.

EMERGENCY

Sendai Central Police Station (Map; 222-7171; 1-3-19 Itsutsubashi, Aoba-ku)

INTERNET ACCESS

Internet kiosks (Map; 2nd fl, JR Sendai station; per 15min ¥100) Located right outside the tourist info booth.

Sendai International Centre (Map; 265-2450; www.sira.or.jp/icenter/english/index.html; Aoba-yama, Aoba-ku; 9am-8pm) Free!

MEDICAL SERVICES

Sendai City Hospital (; 266-7111; 3-1 Shimizu-kōji, Wakabayashi-ku; 7am-6pm)

MONEY & POST

Sendai Central Post Office (Map; 267-8035; 1-7 Kitame-machi, Aoba-ku; ATM service 7am-11pm Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm Sat, to 7pm Sun) Also a branch on the 1st floor of Sendai station (Map) with international ATM.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Sendai City Information Office (Map; 222-4069; www.stcb.or.jp/eng/tbic.html; 2nd fl, JR Sendai station; 8.30am-8pm) Inside the station’s west exit, it has possibly Tōhoku’s most efficient staff.

Sendai International Centre (Map; 265-2471; www.sira.or.jp/icenter/english/index.html; Aoba-yama, Aoba-ku; 9am-8pm) English-speaking staff, international newspaper library, bulletin board, CNN broadcasts, free internet access and a Visa ATM.

TRAVEL AGENCIES

IACE Travel (Map; 211-0489; 1-6-24 Chūō; 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat, closed Sun) A popular Japanese travel agency that also caters to foreigners and is useful for making international travel arrangements.

JTB Shop (Map; 722-1895; 1-2-3 Chūō-ku, 5th fl, Parco Bldg; 10am-7pm) A popular Japanese travel agency that is useful for making domestic travel arrangements, including plane and train bookings.

Sights & Activities

SENDAI CITY

Sendai’s sights are close enough to each other to make an on-foot tour a real possibility. However, if time is money, take a spin on the Loople tourist bus (Click here).

Sendai’s largest tourist drawcard is Masamune Date’s mausoleum, namely Zuihō-den (Map; 262-6250; 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba-ku; admission ¥550; 9am-4.30pm Feb-Nov, to 4pm Dec & Jan; Loople stop 4), which sits majestically atop the summit of a tree-covered hill by the Hirose-gawa. Built in 1637, destroyed by Allied bombing during WWII and reconstructed in 1979, the present building is an exact replica of the original. It’s faithful to the ornate and sumptuous Momoyama style: a complex, interlocking architecture, characterised by multicoloured woodcarvings. Also atop the hill are the mausoleums of Masamune’s second and third successors, Date Tadamune and Date Tsunamune.

Although it receives second billing, the ruins of Sendai-jō Ato (Map; admission free; 24hr; Loople stop 6, regular bus stop ‘Sendai Jō Ato Minami’), or Aoba-jō (Green Leaves Castle), are centred on giant, moss-covered walls that are as imposing as they are impressive.