Sendai city has a population of over 1 million and is the political and economic center of the Tohoku region (Northeast) of Japan. Sendai can be reached from Tokyo in about 1 hour and 30 minutes by Shinkansen, so it’s easy to go sightseeing.
In this article, we will introduce 7 nightlife spots that you should definitely visit to enjoy Sendai at night.
Highlights and characteristics of Sendai at night
Although Sendai is a large city, it is also known as the “City of Trees”, where nature and urbanity blend. As a result, you can enjoy the typical night view of a big city, the largest downtown area in the Tohoku region (Northeast), and also enjoy visiting castles and shrines surrounded by abundant nature.
Sendai’s unique cuisine is also appealing. Robatayaki, a dish that originated in Sendai, is a must-try dish when you visit the city. In 2019, US President Trump also visited Japan and enjoyed Robatayaki. (The restaurant that President Trump visited was a Robatayaki restaurant in Tokyo)
Sendai’s nightlife spots are characterized by a wide variety of spots, including tourist spots unique to a big city, tourist spots rich in nature, and gourmet food that originated in Sendai.
Nightlife spots in Sendai
Recommended #1: SS30 Observation Deck
SS30 is the nickname for the “Sumitomo Life Sendai Central Building”. It is famous as the first skyscraper to be built in the Tohoku region with a height of over 100 meters. The “SS30 Observation Deck” on the 30th floor of this building is glassed up to the ceiling, making it a popular place to view Sendai’s night view.
The attraction is that you can enjoy Sendai’s wonderful night view from 128m above the ground, and it is free to use. In addition, the 28th and 29th floors are restaurant floors so you can enjoy dinner while admiring the night view. This is a recommended tourist destination for couples.
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| Official website | http://www.ss30.jp/outline.html |
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We recommend taking the “Sky Shuttle”, a direct elevator to the SS30 observation deck. As it is a glass-walled elevator, you can enjoy the night view while ascending to the observation deck.
Recommended #2: Sendai Castle
Sendai Castle was built in 1601 by Date Masamune. Date Masamune was born during Japan’s Sengoku period (a time of warring states across Japan from the late 15th century to the late 16th century). He is known as the man who brought prosperity to Sendai. For that reason, he is a hero to the people of Sendai.
Unfortunately, most of the castle was burned down, and only the stone walls remain from the time of construction. However, the area around the Sendai Castle ruins has been turned into a park called “Aobayama Park”, which is recommended as a rest spot for tourists in Sendai. Located at an altitude of about 130m, it offers a panoramic view of Sendai city and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, at night, the equestrian statue of Date Masamune and the stone walls of Sendai Castle are lit up, creating a fantastical landscape.
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| Official website | https://www.sentabi.jp/ |
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Recommended #3: Ganso Robata
(Source: https://ganso-robata.jp/)
“Ganso Robata” is a restaurant where you can enjoy “Robatayaki”, a local dish originating from Sendai. Robatayaki is a type of cuisine where the staff grills seafood, vegetables… over charcoal in front of the customers. After that, the charcoal-grilled food is passed to the customers at a distance using a long Shamoji (wooden spoon). In 2019, US President Trump enjoyed Robatayaki in Tokyo during his visit to Japan.
“Ganso Robata” is known as the first restaurant to offer Robatayaki. It is a popular restaurant with a good reputation for its retro and relaxed atmosphere, dishes made with fresh ingredients, and delicious sake. To enjoy the Robatayaki atmosphere, we recommend the counter seats. As it is a popular restaurant, it is a good idea to make a reservation in advance.
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| Official website | https://ganso-robata.jp/ |
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You should drink warm Sake when eating at Ganso Robata. By saying “Okan” (お燗) when ordering Sake, you will be served warm sake.
Recommended #4: Kokubuncho
(Source: https://sendai-nightlife.com/)
Kokubuncho is the largest downtown area in the Tohoku region. This area has about 2,700 restaurants, Izakayas (Japanese pubs), bars, and clubs of all genres. This is a popular destination that attracts many locals as well as tourists every night.
In Kokubuncho, you can find all the local Sendai delicacies such as “Gyutan” (beef tongue), “Sasa Kamaboko” (grilled fish cake), and “Serinabe” (celery hot pot). Therefore, this is a popular place for many tourists looking for delicious food. There are also many hostess bars and cabaret clubs. It is a lively place that entertains its visitors. It would be fun to stroll around Kokubuncho with friends.
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| Official website | https://kokubuncho-guidemap.jp/ |
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Recommended #5: Atago Shrine
(Source: https://sendai-nightlife.com/)
Atago Shrine is a shrine that enshrines the god of fire prevention. There are more than 1,000 such shrines throughout Japan, and one of them is in Sendai. It is a popular spot because it is located on a high hill with a great view of Sendai city.
There is a small observation deck at the shrine, from which you can see the night view of Sendai’s skyscrapers at night. The grounds are lit up, creating a nice atmosphere, and you can sit on a bench on the observation deck and enjoy the night view at your leisure. It’s wonderful to be able to worship at the shrine while enjoying the night view.
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| Official website | https://atago.org/ |
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Recommended #6: AER Observation Terrace
The “AER Observation Terrace” is an observatory located in the AER building adjacent to JR Sendai Station. On the top floor of the 31-story building, 145 meters high, there are 2 observatories. From the west observatory you can see the city of Sendai, and from the east observatory you can see the Pacific Ocean. Both are free to use.
The AER Observation Terrace is designed with small gaps, allowing you to feel the night breeze while admiring the scenery. This gives you the feeling of being outside looking at the night view. It is also a popular spot for couples and tourists as it offers a romantic night view.
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| Official website | https://www.sendai-aer.com/ |
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Recommended #7: Gyutan-dori – Sushi-dori – Zunda Komichi
On the 3rd floor of JR Sendai Station, there are areas called “Gyutan-dori”, “Sushi-dori” and “Zunda Komichi”. In each area are shops specializing in famous Sendai specialties: “Gyutan” (beef tongue), Sushi using fresh seafood, and “Zunda Mochi” (green bean rice cake). For this reason, these areas are popular gourmet spots where you can find Sendai specialties.
It is located right near the Shinkansen ticket gates, so you can easily stop by. Some shops offer takeout, so we recommend purchasing your food before boarding the Shinkansen and enjoying it at your leisure on the train. Also, after you’ve filled up on Gyutan and Sushi, we recommend having Zunda Mochi as a dessert. It’s a popular spot with tourists.
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| Official website | https://www.livit.jregroup.ne.jp/ |
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