# Sendai with a day in Matsushima [Canonical itinerary]() Add a nearby city or landscape while keeping one overnight base - Region: Asia - Trip format: Single base + day trip - Nights: 7 - Interests: History, Food & Drink, Nature, Tradition & Beliefs, Arts & Theatre ## Route and nights - Sendai · 7 night(s) Tradeoff: A day trip avoids repacking. Check the last return option and whether the travel time is worth the outing. Compare: Local transit, rail, ferry or road for the outing as applicable ## Day-by-day agenda Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates. ### Day 1 · Sendai - 15:30 to 16:10 · Check in and drop your bags · Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - 16:25 to 17:35 · Take a short walk near the hotel · Sendai Station. Skip the walk if you arrive later. - 17:50 to 19:10 · Have dinner near the hotel · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 2 · Sendai - 08:00 to 08:45 · Breakfast near Sendai Station · Sendai Station - 09:10 to 10:05 · Travel to the Aoba Castle site · Sendai Castle Site, Sendai - 10:15 to 11:55 · Walk the castle site and view the city from Aobayama · Sendai Castle Site, Sendai. Visit the grounds for their terrain and views. Check routes for the hill and any closures. - 12:10 to 13:10 · Have lunch near the museum district or downtown · Aobayama, Sendai - 13:30 to 15:05 · Visit Sendai City Museum if open · Sendai City Museum. Check the calendar and prioritize displays about the Date clan. - 15:20 to 16:30 · Walk the public paths toward the Hirose River · Hirose River, Sendai - 17:40 to 19:05 · Dinner near Sendai Station · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 3 · Sendai - 08:10 to 08:45 · Have a light breakfast near the station · Sendai Station - 09:00 to 10:40 · Explore the Sendai Asaichi market · Sendai Asaichi, Sendai. Check individual stall hours. Keep this stop earlier in the day. - 10:55 to 11:35 · Browse the prepared-food counters near the station · Sendai Station - 11:45 to 13:05 · Order a gyūtan lunch · Sendai Station. Compare set menus and portion sizes before choosing. - 13:25 to 14:55 · Walk the covered shopping arcades toward Ichibanchō · Ichibanchō, Sendai - 15:20 to 16:25 · Take a coffee or tea break · Ichibanchō, Sendai - 17:45 to 19:00 · Try a lighter dinner near the hotel · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 4 · Matsushima - 07:55 to 08:40 · Have breakfast before leaving Sendai · Sendai Station - 08:55 to 10:15 · Take the train to Matsushima-Kaigan · Matsushima-Kaigan Station. Check that your service stops at the station you want. - 10:25 to 11:45 · Walk the bayfront and look toward the islands · Matsushima Bay, Miyagi - 12:00 to 13:00 · Have lunch near the waterfront · Matsushima, Miyagi - 13:15 to 14:45 · Choose a bay cruise if sailing · Matsushima Bay, Miyagi. Replace this window with the confirmed sailing time. Use the waterfront and Zuigan-ji if weather prevents sailing. - 15:00 to 16:00 · Take a short final walk near the temples · Zuigan-ji, Matsushima - 16:15 to 17:40 · Return to Sendai · Matsushima-Kaigan Station - 18:00 to 19:20 · Dinner near the hotel · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 5 · Sendai - 08:15 to 09:00 · Breakfast near the hotel · Sendai Station - 09:15 to 10:10 · Travel to Zuihōden · Zuihōden, Sendai. Check access and allow for the sloped approach. - 10:10 to 11:55 · Visit Zuihōden and the mausoleum grounds · Zuihōden, Sendai. Check the seasonal schedule and choose a walking route that fits the steps. - 12:20 to 13:20 · Lunch around downtown Sendai · Sendai, Japan - 13:45 to 15:25 · Visit Ōsaki Hachimangū if the afternoon allows · Ōsaki Hachimangū, Sendai. Allow time for transit between the sites and use posted access information. - 15:40 to 16:40 · Return downtown for a break · Sendai Station - 17:45 to 19:15 · Dinner near the station · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 6 · Sendai - 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Sendai Station · Sendai Station - 09:40 to 10:25 · Walk a section of Jōzenji-dōri · Jōzenji-dōri, Sendai - 10:30 to 12:20 · Explore Sendai Mediatheque · Sendai Mediatheque. Check what exhibitions are running. Use the public floors and exterior for an architecture-focused visit. - 12:35 to 13:35 · Lunch near Jōzenji-dōri · Jōzenji-dōri, Sendai - 13:55 to 15:15 · Walk through Nishi Park if weather suits · Nishi Park, Sendai - 15:35 to 16:35 · Take a café break · Ichibanchō, Sendai - 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your hotel · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 7 · Sendai - 09:00 to 09:50 · Have a later breakfast · Sendai Station - 10:20 to 12:00 · Keep time to revisit one stop or move a missed visit · Jōzenji-dōri, Sendai. Use this window for a closure, poor weather, or somewhere you wanted more time. - 12:15 to 13:15 · Have lunch in the area you choose · Sendai - 13:45 to 15:20 · Take a short neighborhood walk if time allows · Jōzenji-dōri, Sendai - 15:35 to 16:35 · Take a seated break before heading back · Sendai - 17:45 to 19:05 · Dinner near the hotel · Sendai Station Overnight: [Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East]() · Sendai ### Day 8 · Sendai - 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Sendai Station - 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Sendai Station. Keep this flexible for an early departure. - 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect luggage · Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East - 10:30 to 11:30 · Leave time for onward travel · Sendai. Replace this window with your departure plans.