Below is a list of Sendai's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing (hanami), including the typical timing for best viewing in the average year and japan-guide.com ratings. See also our nationwide list of famous cherry blossom spots.
Central Sendai
Mikamine Park•
Mid to late April
30 minute walk from Nagamachi Minami Station along the Nanboku Subway Line
Located south of central Sendai, Mikamine Park is a spacious public park with hundreds of large, beautiful cherry trees and wide lawns, offering plenty of space to hold cherry blossom viewing parties underneath its cherry trees.
Tsutsujigaoka Park•
Mid to late April
Next to Tsutsujigaoka Station or a 20 minute walk east of Sendai Station
Tsutsujigaoka Park is a public park in central Sendai, just one stop east of Sendai Station. The park has a variety of Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees planted along its paved lanes, and lots of space for cherry blossom viewing parties can be found along the walkways and underneath the trees.
Nishi Park
Mid to late April
Short walk from Omachi Nishi-koen along the Tozai Subway Line
Dozens of cherry trees are planted around the park's southern lawn which makes for a good place to hold cherry blossom viewing parties. A cherry blossom festival is held every year in mid April featuring food stands and cherry blossom illuminations.
Near Sendai
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park•
Late April to early May
15-20 minute walk uphill from Matsushima Kaigan Station or a 5 minute taxi ride
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park is a mountainside park in Matsushima which overlooks Matsushima Bay from behind Matsushima Kaigan Station. About 260 cherry trees are planted on the hillside and tend to open several days later than those around Sendai.
10 minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station or 15 minute walk from Shiogama Station
30 minutes by train from Sendai, Shiogama is a port town that is known for having the highest density of sushi restaurants in Japan. The city's other main attraction, Shiogama Shrine, is famous for the nearly 300 cherry trees of around 30 different varieties that are planted around its grounds. Due to the many varieties present, the blooming season at Shiogama Shrine is prolonged and typically lasts from mid April to early May.
Shiroishi Riverside•
Mid to late April
Between Funaoka and Ogawara stations
About 30 minutes south of Sendai by train, the Shiroishi Riverside is an eight kilometer long stretch of the Shiroishi River lined on both embankments by nearly 1200 cherry trees. The famous view of the area is the "Hitome Senbonzakura", a spot about halfway between Funagaoka and Ogawara stations from where on a clear day you can see 1000 cherry trees in combination with Mount Zao in the distance.
Ratings: best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
Guest House Umebachi offers dormitory-style accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Guests can rent bicycles to tour the area and relax at the outdoor terrace. JR Nigatake Train Station is a 10-minute walk and JR Sendai Train Station is a 15-minute drive away. The air-conditioned dormitory-style rooms feature bunk beds on hardwood floors. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Amenities such as toothbrush and towels are available for an extra cost. Luggage storage is available for an extra charge and a coin-launderette is on site. Guests can relax and watch the flat-screen TV in the shared lounge and use the on-site PCs. A simple complimentary breakfast with toast and coffee is served. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar space as well. Umebachi Guest House is a 15-minute drive from Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi (formerly Kleenex Stadium Miyagi) and Jozenji Dori Avenue. Sendai Tosho-gu Shrine is a 20-minute drive away.
Offering a fitness centre free of charge, Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East has direct access to Sendai Station. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Featuring views of the city, 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.
Open from August 2017, Almont Hotel Sendai is nestled just a 5-minute stroll away from JR Sendai Station. The hotel features free WiFi, a restaurant and private parking is offered on site. Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. All rooms include a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property. Sakunami Hot Spring is 24 km from Almont Hotel Sendai, while Sakuraoka Daijingu is 1.3 km away. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, 14 km from Almont Hotel Sendai.
Set on 28-36th floors of Sendai's tallest building, The Westin Sendai offers a luxurious accommodation just a 10-minute walk from JR Sendai Station. Guests can work out in the free-use gym or receive rejuvenating massages at the on-site salon. 2 restaurants and a bar are available on site. Wi-Fi is provided at an additional charge. Fitted with chic furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms come with modern facilities like satellite LCD TV. A fridge, an electric kettle and minibar are included. The large en suite bathroom has a bath tub, a shower booth and free toiletries. Sendai Westin Hotelfs 24-hour front desk can arrange luggage storage and laundry services. The Flow Spa offers a variety of treatments, sauna and a relaxation lounge. Souvenir items can be purchased at the gift shop. Stylish Restaurant Symphony serves sophisticated Western cuisine, while traditional Japanese dishes can be savoured at Ichimuan restaurant, which is located on the top floor. Horizon Lounge & Bar offers afternoon tea, light meals and evening drinks. The Westin Hotel is a 10-minute drive to Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi (formerly Kleenex Stadium Miyagi), and a 20-minute drive to Aoba Castle Park. Sendai Airport is located a 50-minute drive from the property.
Open from April 2016, Hotel Vista Sendai is located just a 4-minute walk from JR Sendai Station. It boasts an on-site restaurant and rooms with modern decor. Free WiFi and private parking is available at an additional charge. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a 32-inch flat-screen LCD TV. A fridge, air purifier, electric kettle and slippers are also provided. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries like toothbrushes and shampoo. Trouser presses, irons and extra blankets are available for use at the 24-hour front desk. Dishes prepared with fresh local seasonal ingredients can be savoured for breakfast. Tohoku University is a 14-minute walk from Sendai Hotel Vista. Make a visit to attractions in the area like Miyagi Baseball Stadium, a 6-minute drive away. Osaki Hachimangu Shrine is a 20-minute drive away while Sendai Airport can be reached within a 40-minute drive or train ride.
Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Ekimae offers a 24-hour front desk and simply decorated accommodation. This awardee of TripAdvisorfs 2014 Certificate of Exellence is located just a 3-minute walk from JR Sendai Train Station. Free WiFi is available in all areas. Air conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV and a Tempur-Pedic pillow. Each are fitted with a refrigerator, an electric kettle and a green tea set. En suite bathrooms come with a bath, a hairdryer and free toiletries. Sendai Ekimae Richmond Hotel Premier offers daily maid service, concierge service and room service. A coin launderette, meeting/banquet facilities and vending machines can also be found on site. The Premier Lounge serves breakfast consisting of freshly baked bread, eggs, fruits and other breakfast items. Room service can be ordered from a Japanese restaurant located on the B1F of the property. Aoba Castle is a 15-minute drive away, while Osaki Hachiman Shrine is a 10-minute drive from the property. JR Sendai Station is a 3-minute walk and Hirosedori Subway Station is a 6-minute walk from the hotel. Sendai Airport is a 30-minute subway ride away on Sendai Airport access express train and Matsushima is a 40-minute train ride away.
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 hotelfs beauty salon. Free pick-up shuttles are available from Sendai and Izumi-Chuo stations. 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, a fridge and a minibar. 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.
Tenza Hotel at Sendai Station is set in Sendai, 2 km from Sendai City Community Support Center and 2.2 km from Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking is available on site. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a continental breakfast. Sakuraoka Daijingu is 2.3 km from Tenza Hotel at Sendai Station, while Sendai International Centre is 2.7 km away. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, 13 km from the accommodation.
Boasting spa facilities and free-use hot springs baths and sauna, Dormy Inn EXPRESS Sendai Seaside features free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Nakanosakae Station is a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from Dormy Inn EXPRESS Sendai Seaside. At the economy hotel, the rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, fridge and electric kettle. Pyjamas are provided by the property. The bathroom features a high-tech toilet, hairdryer and toothbrushes. Trouser press is available on site. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can help guests with queries that they may have as well as offer luggage storage service for free. Coin-operated launderette can be found at the hotel as well as karaoke facilities are available on site for guest's entertainment. A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the on-site restaurant "Hatago". The property has a drinks vending machine on site. Sendai Station is a 40-minute train ride and walk away from the hotel. The hotel is set 15 minutes walk away from Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium, while Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port Shopping Mall is just a 5-minute walk away. Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi is a 40-minute train ride away, while Sendai Stadium is a 75-minute train ride away. Sendai Airport is 25-minutes away by airport limousine bus from Dormy Inn EXPRESS Sendai Seaside.
Hotel Keihan Sendai features air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TV in the Aoba Ward district of Sendai. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Attractions in the area include Sendai City Museum, 1.9 km away, or Zuihoden, set 2.6 km from the property. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Keihan Sendai include Sendai City Community Support Center, Sakuraoka Daijingu and Sendai International Centre. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, 14 km from the accommodation.
best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
