Sendai is the original home of gyutan (牛タン, gyūtan), a dish of thinly sliced beef tongue, cooked over a charcoal grill. Besides the standard version of grilled tongue and pickled vegetables seen above, gyutan is also popular in donburi form, as a curry or in a beef stew.

The dish originated fairly recently in 1948 when a yakitori restaurant owner in Sendai devoted his business to the preparation of beef tongue dishes. It has grown rapidly in popularity and spread throughout Japan.

Common side dishes of gyutan are oxtail soup and mugi gohan (white rice with barley). In its donburi variety, gyutan is served over a bowl of cooked white rice, while the curry gyutan is accompanied by rice as well.

The two most popular gyutan restaurant chains are Rikyu and Kisuke. Both of these chains have branches on Gyutan Dori (gyutan street) on the third floor of Sendai Station. Most of the restaurants of Gyutan Dori open at 10:00, while restaurants in the city typically open for lunch around 11:00. Menus generally range in price from about 1500 to 2500 yen.

Hotels around Sendai

Top rated in Sendai
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    • Hotel GrandBach Sendai
      Luxury

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Hotel GrandBach Sendai in Sendai offers rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and city views. Each room includes a refrigerator, free toiletries, and a work desk.

      Dining and Leisure

      Guests can enjoy Japanese cuisine at the on-site restaurant and unwind at the bar. The hotel provides free WiFi, a public bath, and live music.

      Convenient Location

      Located 16 km from Sendai Airport, the hotel is near public transport options. Guests appreciate the room and bathroom comfort.
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    • Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
      Luxury
      Offering a fitness centre free of charge, Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East has direct access to Sendai Station. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, a desk, safety deposit box, TV, refrigerator and hairdryer. The private bathroom comes with towels, slippers and free toiletries. The 24-hour front desk offers free luggage storage and currency exchange services. Guests can relax in the shared lounge area. A drinks vending machine is available on site. The on-site restaurant serves a breakfast buffet using local ingredients, lunch and dinner. There are several restaurants, cafes and convenience stores within a 5-minute walk from the property. Sendai Museum is a 15-minute train ride from Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East. Sendai Castle and Zuihoden are a 20-minute drive from the property, while Sakunami Hot Spring is located an hour away by car.
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    • Sendai Guest House UMEBACHI
      Budget-friendly

      Comfortable Accommodation

      Sendai Guest House UMEBACHI in Sendai offers a 1-star guest house experience with a garden and terrace. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

      Convenient Facilities

      Guests enjoy private check-in and check-out, a lounge, daily housekeeping, family rooms, bicycle parking, bike hire, and luggage storage. Paid on-site private parking is also provided.

      Comfortable Amenities

      Rooms feature air-conditioning, shared bathrooms, tatami floors, and wardrobes. Additional amenities include a lounge, dining area, and a host who provides excellent service support.

      Accessible Location

      Located 20 km from Sendai Airport, the guest house is highly rated for its attentive staff and excellent service support.
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    • Hotel Keihan Sendai
      Luxury

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Hotel Keihan Sendai in Sendai offers spacious rooms with air-conditioning, baths, and free toiletries. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and wardrobe, ensuring a pleasant stay.

      Dining and Amenities

      Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast and dine at the on-site restaurant. The hotel features a lift, 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, full-day security, and luggage storage.

      Convenient Location

      Located 16 km from Sendai Airport, the hotel is near public transport options. Guests appreciate the room size and comfort, making it a highly rated choice.
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    • Onyado Nono Sendai Natural Hot Spring
      Luxury

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Rooms feature air-conditioning, bidet, hairdryer, refrigerator, free toiletries, shower, carpeted floors, TV, soundproofing, electric kettle, and wardrobe. Guests appreciate the room comfort and cleanliness.

      Wellness and Leisure

      The hotel offers a spa and wellness centre, sauna, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include a 24-hour front desk, buffet breakfast, and modern restaurant serving Japanese cuisine.

      Convenient Location

      Located in Sendai, the hotel is 16 km from Sendai Airport. Nearby attractions include Sendai Castle and Sendai Station.

      Guest Satisfaction

      Highly rated by guests for its breakfast, room comfort, and cleanliness.
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    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sendai Nishiguchi PREMIER
      Luxury

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sendai Nishiguchi PREMIER in Sendai offers 4-star comfort with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a bath, bidet, hairdryer, shower, slippers, TV, and electric kettle.

      Essential Facilities

      Guests enjoy free WiFi, a lounge, lift, 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, coffee shop, full-day security, and luggage storage. Additional amenities include a work desk and sofa.

      Dining Experience

      A buffet breakfast featuring local specialities is served daily. The hotel also offers a variety of dining options, including a coffee shop and on-site restaurants.

      Prime Location

      Located 15 km from Sendai Airport, the hotel is highly rated for its convenient location and excellent public transport options. Guests appreciate the bathroom comfort and excellent service.
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    • Sendai Royal Park Hotel
      Luxury
      Surrounded by lush gardens, Sendai Royal Park Hotel is a resort hotel that offers elegant accommodation with European d?cor and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy rejuvenating beauty treatments at the hotel’s beauty salon. Free pick-up shuttles are available from Sendai station. The hotel is located a 15-minute drive from Izumi Chuo Station, and a 30-minute drive from JR Sendai Station. The Sendai Izumi Premium Outlet shopping mall is just a 1-minute walk, and Izumi Park Town Golf Club can be reached within a 5-minute drive. Sendai Airport is a 40-minute drive. Guests can enjoy shopping at Izumi Park Town Tapio, located a 3-minute walk away. Each room at Sendai Royal Park Hotel features warm colours and large windows, and comes with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a fridge. An electric kettle and tea bags are also provided. Some rooms feature a balcony and views of the garden. Activities at Sendai Royal Park Hotel include yoga in the garden and cycling. Guests can borrow bicycles to explore the local area, or relax with massages in the guest room. The 24-hour front desk can handle luggage storage and currency exchange. Guests can have breakfast on the garden terrace or enjoy a picnic breakfast in the garden. Teppanyaki restaurant Nanatsumori offers Sendai wagyu steak, while Chinese restaurant Keikaen offers Cantonese dishes with fresh ingredients. The on-site restaurants features views of the garden, which is lit up at night.
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    • Richmond Hotel Sendai - Reopened After Renovation on 28 Dec 2024
      Luxury
      This hotel is located 600 metres from Sendai JR Station and 25 minutes from Sendai Airport by train. Richmond Hotel Sendai offers free WiFi, a 24-hour reception and a family restaurant. Rooms at the Richmond Hotel are air-conditioned and include a flat-screen TV with pay-per-view and satellite channels. There is a dining area with fridge and electric kettle as well as a private bathroom with a bath, shower and hairdryer. A face mask, cotton and bath powder are provided for ladies. Business guests can arrange a laptop and printer for an additional charge. Children’s amenities are available at reception. The Royal Host family restaurant on the 1st floor serves a mixed buffet of Japanese and western food. The Richmond Hotel Sendai is a 20-minute drive from the Mitsui Outlet Park Sendaiko and a 25-minute drive from Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets.
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    • KOKO HOTEL Sendai Station Central
      Mid-range

      Comfortable Accommodations

      KOKO HOTEL Sendai Station Central in Sendai offers comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, free WiFi, and essential amenities such as a work desk, TV, and electric kettle.

      Dining and Services

      Guests can enjoy a restaurant serving a buffet breakfast and a variety of dishes. The hotel provides a 24-hour front desk, full-day security, and luggage storage, ensuring a pleasant stay.

      Convenient Location

      Located 15 km from Sendai Airport, the hotel is situated in Aoba-ku, offering easy access to local attractions.
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    • Sotetsu Fresa Inn Sendai
      Mid-range

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Sotetsu Fresa Inn Sendai in Sendai offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, bidets, and free toiletries. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and free WiFi.

      Dining and Amenities

      Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast and dine at the on-site restaurant. The hotel provides free WiFi, a lift, 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, full-day security, and luggage storage.

      Convenient Location

      Located 15 km from Sendai Airport, the hotel is near public transport options. Guests appreciate the convenient location and the breakfast provided by the property.
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