Venue

Hotels

There are many reasonable hotels located near Sendai station. Please use your favorite booking site to reserve your room.

Access

The venue is conveniently located near JR Sendai Station. For participants traveling from Asia, direct flights to Sendai Airport may be available and offer the most convenient option. For those arriving from other regions, we recommend flying into Haneda or Narita Airport in Tokyo, traveling to Tokyo Station, and then taking the Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai. You can buy Shinkansen tickets from ticket vending machines at Tokyo Station. The fastest Shinkansen services (Hayabusa and Komachi) are all reserved, and you need a reserved-seat ticket. Slower service (Yamabiko) has non-reserved seats.

Access from International Airports

Sight-seeing Suggestions

Local Sight-seeing Bus

If you are interested in the history of this area, we recommend the Loople Sendai Bus. You can take it from Aobayama or Sendai Station. Notable places to visit include Aoba Castle Site, Osaki-Hachimangu Shrine (National Treasure), and Zuihoden, which were built by Masamune Date, the ruler of this region during the Edo era.

Matsushima and Zuiganji Temple

Matsushima Bay is considered one of Japan's three most scenic views. Visitors can enjoy a sightseeing cruise, walk around the coastal area, and visit Zuiganji Temple (National Treasure).

Suggested Route 1

1. Take the JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station to Matsushima-Kaigan Station (40 min, JPY 420)
2. Take a sightseeing cruise boat (you can reserve online)(about 1 hour, JPY 1,500)
3. Visit Zuiganji Temple (about 1 hour, JPY 700)
4. Walk around the Matsushima area (1–2 hours)
5. Return to Sendai by JR Senseki Line (40 min, JPY 420)
6. Dinner near Sendai Station

Suggested Route 2

1. Take the JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station to Hon-Shiogama Station (30 min, JPY 330)
2. Take a sightseeing cruise boat from Shiogama to Matsushima (about 1 hour, JPY 1,500)
3. Visit Zuiganji Temple (about 1 hour, JPY 700)
4. Walk around the Matsushima area (1–2 hours)
5. Return to Sendai from Matsushima-Kaigan Station (40 min, JPY 420)
6. Dinner near Sendai Station

Yamadera Temple

Yamadera (Risshakuji Temple or "mountain temple") is one of the most famous temples in northern Japan. The climb to the upper temple takes about 30–40 minutes and offers spectacular views.

1. Take the JR Senzan Line from Sendai Station to Yamadera Station (70 min, JPY 860)
2. Visit Yamadera Temple and explore the area (2–3 hours, JPY 300)
3. Return to Sendai by JR Senzan Line (70 min, JPY 860)
4. Dinner near Sendai Station

Zao Fox Village

Zao Fox Village is a popular destination among international visitors, where foxes roam freely in a large open area.

1. Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shiroishi-Zao Station (15 min) or JR Tohoku Main Line to Shiroishi Station (50 min)
2. Take a taxi to Fox Village (about 30 min)
3. Enjoy Fox Village (about 2 hours)
4. Return to Sendai and have dinner near Sendai Station

Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery (and/or Sakunami Onsen hot spring)

Whisky lovers may enjoy visiting the Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery. Guided tours with whisky tasting are available (advance reservation required).

1. Take the JR Senzan Line from Sendai Station to Sakunami Station (40 min, JPY 510)
2. Take the free shuttle bus to the distillery (10 min)
3. Visit the distillery (about 2 hours)
4. Return by shuttle bus to Sakunami Station
5. Return to Sendai by JR Senzan Line (40 min, JPY 510)
6. Dinner near Sendai Station

Sakunami Onsen is a well-known hot spring area where several hotels offer day-use bathing.

In Case of Bad Weather

• Tohoku University Museum
• Sendai Astronomical Observatory
• Sendai Science Museum
• Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
• Kirin Beer Factory Sendai