Sendai and Miyagi in 4 nights and 5 days: should you move accommodation?
Stay in Sendai for separate exhibit, temple and aquarium days, or move after two nights to Naruko Onsen for two nights. Naruko is a separate hot spring area requiring a train change at Kogota. For the gorge, check the autumn seasonal bus period and both journeys.
Choose a 5 days, 4 nights itinerary
City exhibits and temples, with the aquarium on the last day
Stay four nights at one Sendai property and give the former home's exhibits, museum/castle site, Matsushima and mausoleums separate days. Include the aquarium on the last day only if there is time to leave the region afterwards.
City exhibits and temples, with the aquarium on the last day →5 days, 4 nights BTwo nights in Sendai and two in Naruko Onsen
Stay two nights in Sendai, then move to Naruko Onsen for two nights. This autumn trip combines city exhibits and Matsushima with time for Naruko Gorge and bathing. Choose the gorge bus route only within that year's seasonal operating period.
Two nights in Sendai and two in Naruko Onsen →City exhibits and temples, with the aquarium on the last day
Stay four nights at one Sendai property and give the former home's exhibits, museum/castle site, Matsushima and mausoleums separate days. Include the aquarium on the last day only if there is time to leave the region afterwards.
Day 1: Bansuisodo, then Sendai accommodation
Bansuisodo · 晩翠草堂
On day 1, make a short visit to exhibits in Bansuisodo, poet Doi Bansui's former home. Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station, get off at Bansuisodo-mae and use the entrance with the stone marker on the Aoba-dori side. Ordinary visits are free; hours are 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday) and 29 December–3 January.
Afterwards, take Loople in the same direction back to Sendai Station. Even if you allow only 20–30 minutes in the house, the return loop takes approximately an hour; this is not a quick return trip. Two single bus rides cost ¥600.
- Sendai Station west exit, bay 16 → Bansuisodo-mae
Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station and get off at Bansuisodo-mae. The return continues in the same loop direction.
- Bansuisodo-mae → Bansuisodo
From the Loople stop, use the entrance with the 天地有情 stone marker on the Aoba-dori side. This plan allows about 20–30 minutes for the former home's exhibits. Distinguish the Loople stop from the regular city bus stop with the same name.
Miyagi Tourism Federation: Bansuisodo free admission, hours and closuresSendai Tourism Association: Bansuisodo entrance and Loople stop
- Bansuisodo-mae → Sendai Station
At Bansuisodo-mae, take Loople Sendai in the same loop direction. Even after a short visit, the loop to Sendai Station takes approximately an hour, so allow plenty of return time.
If you arrive late or the house is closed, skip the visit and have a meal near the station.
Day 2: the museum and castle site
For Date Masamune and Sendai history, explore Date family historical material at the museum. Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station, get off at Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan, and walk approximately three minutes. After the permanent exhibition, return to the same stop.
Continue on Loople in the same loop direction to the castle site, see the statue and views in the main enclosure, then return to the same stop. This day combines exhibits and the castle site, leaving the mausoleums for day 4. The Loople day pass ¥700 plus permanent exhibition admission discounted with that day's pass ¥360 give a subtotal of ¥1,060.
Hours are 09:00–16:45, with last admission at 16:15. Monday and post-public-holiday closure rules have exceptions; check the official calendar. Recalculate the admission subtotal on free-entry days or closure dates.
- Sendai Station west exit, bay 16 → Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan
Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station and get off at Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan. The bus runs only in the loop direction.
- Museum bus stop → Sendai City Museum
Walk approximately three minutes from the stop to enter the museum. Permanent and special exhibitions have different admission fees; choose the exhibition you want first.
Sendai City Museum: access from the subway exit and Loople stopSendai City Museum: admission, hours and closure dates
- Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan → Site of Sendai Castle
From the museum stop, take Loople Sendai in the same loop direction to the Sendai Castle Site stop. If the afternoon is running short, return to the station without adding the castle site.
Loople Sendai: every 20 minutes on weekdays outside August; every 15 minutes on weekends/public holidays and throughout August; ¥300/¥700Sendai Tourism Association: castle-site admission, Loople stop and main enclosure stairs
- Sendai Castle Site bus stop → Main enclosure statue and viewpoint → the same stop
Climb the stairs from the stop to Date Masamune's statue and the viewpoint in the main enclosure, then descend to the same stop. Allow time for the walk and stairs in both directions.
Sendai Tourism Association: castle-site admission, Loople stop and main enclosure stairs
- Sendai Castle Site bus stop → Sendai Station
Continue on Loople Sendai in the same loop direction to Sendai Station. There is no service in the opposite direction, so check the remaining loop to the station.
If the museum is closed, swap the visit with another day's sightseeing. If the exhibits take longer, reduce additional sightseeing and leave time to return to Sendai Station.
Day 3: Matsushima
In Matsushima, explore Zuiganji's ornate main hall and Entsuin's gardens. Take the Senseki Line for approximately 40 minutes to Matsushimakaigan Station, which differs from Matsushima Station on the Tohoku Main Line. Walk approximately 10 minutes to Zuiganji, see the architecture and exhibits, then visit nearby Entsuin. Allow separate time for entering and buying tickets at both facilities and for a meal.
Entsuin closes at 16:00 in April–November and 15:30 in December–March. If lunch would run late, visit the gardens first. In strong wind, shorten the coastal walk and take a train towards Sendai from Matsushimakaigan Station. The two temples' ¥1,500 admission plus the ¥1,420 area pass give a subtotal of ¥2,920.
- Sendai Station → JR Matsushimakaigan Station
From Sendai Station, take a JR Senseki Line train stopping at Matsushimakaigan; the ride takes approximately 40 minutes. Check your arrival station: it differs from Matsushima Station on the Tohoku Main Line.
Matsushima Tourism Association: Senseki Line direction and approximately 40-minute ride
- Matsushimakaigan Station → Zuiganji Temple
Walk approximately 10 minutes from Matsushimakaigan Station to Zuiganji. Allow about an hour to see the temple architecture and exhibits and leave the grounds.
Zuiganji: admission, seasonal closing and walks from each station
- Zuiganji Temple → Entsuin gardens
The tourism association's model route gives an approximately one-minute walk between Zuiganji and Entsuin. Entry and ticket procedures at the two facilities take separate time. If Entsuin is nearing closing time, visit the gardens before lunch.
Entsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each stationMatsushima Tourism Association model route: approximately one minute between temples
- Entsuin gardens → Matsushimakaigan Station → Sendai Station
Return from Entsuin to Matsushimakaigan Station and take the Senseki Line towards Sendai. Search return trains for your travel date. In strong wind or rain, shorten the coastal walk first.
Matsushima Tourism Association: Senseki Line direction and approximately 40-minute rideEntsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each station
Choose one temple if visiting both is difficult. If you are ineligible for the pass, recalculate costs using individual JR tickets for your actual journeys.
Day 4: Zuihoden
Choose Zuihoden to see Date family mausoleum architecture. Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station and get off at Zuihoden-mae. Walk approximately seven minutes to reception; the approach has approximately 80 steps. After the mausoleums and historical museum, walk down to the same stop.
Give the mausoleums time today. Return to Sendai Station on Loople in the same loop direction, have lunch and rest. Do not add another visit to the castle site you saw on day 2.
Adult and university student admission is ¥460 when you show that day's Loople day pass before paying. With the ¥700 bus pass, the subtotal is ¥1,160. Regular admission is ¥570. Last admission is 16:30 in February–November and 16:00 in December–January. All areas close on 31 December; only Zuihoden opens on 1 January. The return to the station continues in the same loop direction.
- Sendai Station west exit, bay 16 → Zuihoden-mae
Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station and get off at Zuihoden-mae. Weekdays, weekends/public holidays and August have different timetables; check the one for your travel date.
- Zuihoden-mae → Zuihoden Mausoleum
Walk approximately seven minutes to reception; the approach has approximately 80 steps. After visiting the mausoleums, descend to the same stop. If the stairs in both directions would be difficult, skip the mausoleums and rest in Sendai instead.
Zuihoden: individual admission, day-pass discount, closures and accessZuihoden English guide: stairs and individual visits
- Zuihoden-mae → Sendai Station
After your visit, descend the stairs and take Loople Sendai from Zuihoden-mae in the same loop direction. Have a meal after returning to Sendai Station.
If stairs or a closure lead you to skip the mausoleums, recalculate costs using the admission fee and your actual number of bus rides.
Day 5: the aquarium → return to Sendai → depart
Spend the day seeing Sanriku marine life up close. Explore marine life from Japan and around the world, centred on Umino-Mori Aquarium's large tank. From Sendai Station, take a Senseki Line train stopping at Nakanosakae for approximately 18 minutes, then walk approximately 15 minutes from the south exit to the facility. Follow the official access map's route via National Route 45 and the Debana intersection.
Allow about two to three hours for exhibits and breaks. Check opening and last admission in the calendar for your actual visit date. Afterwards, return to the same station and take a train towards Sendai. Adult admission ¥2,400 plus the ¥1,420 one-day area pass, if eligible, give a subtotal of ¥3,820. Using the station–aquarium bus both ways costs an additional ¥400.
On departure day, allow time to return to the station. Skip today's visit if there is too little time before your departure.
- Sendai Station → JR Nakanosakae Station
At Sendai Station, take a JR Senseki Line train stopping at Nakanosakae. The ride takes approximately 18 minutes; train waits and platform access take extra time.
Umino-Mori Aquarium: approximately 18 minutes by JR, walking route and ¥200 bus
- Nakanosakae Station south exit → Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
From the south exit, follow the official access map via National Route 45 and the Debana intersection for approximately 15 minutes on foot. If using the bus, check its timetable for your visit date and the separate ¥200 adult one-way fare.
Umino-Mori Aquarium: approximately 18 minutes by JR, walking route and ¥200 bus
- Aquarium → Nakanosakae Station → Sendai Station
Retrace the walking route to Nakanosakae Station and take the Senseki Line towards Sendai. Check aquarium closing and return trains together for your visit date.
Umino-Mori Aquarium: approximately 18 minutes by JR, walking route and ¥200 bus
If it rains or walking is difficult, check the connecting bus timetable for your visit date. The adult fare is ¥200 one way.
Included: Day 1 Bansuisodo/bus ¥600. Day 2 Loople day pass ¥700 + discounted museum admission ¥360 = ¥1,060. Day 3 temples/pass ¥2,920. Day 4 discounted Zuihoden admission ¥460 + Loople day pass ¥700 = ¥1,160. Day 5 aquarium/pass ¥3,820.
Extra or unconfirmed: Accommodation, meals, luggage storage, accommodation access, long-distance rail, airport transfers, special exhibitions and evening events. The return aquarium connecting bus ¥400 and additional visits not selected are separate.
Partial admission and sightseeing transport subtotal: ¥9,560 (¥600 + ¥1,060 + ¥2,920 + ¥1,160 + ¥3,820). Accommodation, meals, accommodation access, airport transfers and long-distance travel are separate. The ¥1,420 area pass is for holders of valid non-Japanese passports; it is not a claim of the lowest price compared with individual JR fares. The return aquarium connecting bus costs an additional ¥400. Museum costs assume a paid permanent exhibition visit. On free-entry dates such as 3 November 2026, or closure dates, reconsider the visit and recalculate costs. Special exhibitions cost extra.
Loople Sendai: every 20 minutes on weekdays outside August; every 15 minutes on weekends/public holidays and throughout August; ¥300/¥700Zuihoden: individual admission, day-pass discount, closures and accessSendai City Museum: admission, hours and closure datesZuiganji: admission, seasonal closing and walks from each stationEntsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each stationUmino-Mori Aquarium: admission and seasonal hoursMiyagi Tourism Federation: Bansuisodo free admission, hours and closuresSendai Area Pass: ¥1,420, passport eligibility and coverageTohoku Culture Day: Sendai City Museum permanent exhibition free for everyone on 2026-11-03 only
Two nights in Sendai and two in Naruko Onsen
Stay two nights in Sendai, then move to Naruko Onsen for two nights. This autumn trip combines city exhibits and Matsushima with time for Naruko Gorge and bathing. Choose the gorge bus route only within that year's seasonal operating period.
Day 1: Sendai museum → station → accommodation
For Date Masamune and Sendai history, explore Date family historical material at the museum. Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station, get off at Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan, and walk approximately three minutes. After the permanent exhibition, return to the same stop.
Continue on Loople in the same loop direction to Sendai Station. Two single rides at ¥300 plus adult/university student permanent exhibition admission ¥460 give a subtotal of ¥1,060. Special exhibitions cost extra. These are regular fares without a day-pass discount.
Hours are 09:00–16:45, with last admission at 16:15. Monday and post-public-holiday closure rules have exceptions; check the official calendar. Recalculate the admission subtotal on free-entry days or closure dates.
- Sendai Station west exit, bay 16 → Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan
Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station and get off at Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan. The bus runs only in the loop direction.
- Museum bus stop → Sendai City Museum
Walk approximately three minutes from the stop to enter the museum. Permanent and special exhibitions have different admission fees; choose the exhibition you want first.
Sendai City Museum: access from the subway exit and Loople stop
- Museum, International Center and Ryokusaikan → Sendai Station
Return to the same stop and continue on Loople Sendai in the same loop direction to Sendai Station.
If the museum is closed, swap the visit with another day's sightseeing. If the exhibits take longer, reduce additional sightseeing and leave time to return to Sendai Station.
Day 2: Matsushima temples and gardens → Sendai accommodation
In Matsushima, explore Zuiganji's ornate main hall and Entsuin's gardens. Take the Senseki Line for approximately 40 minutes to Matsushimakaigan Station, which differs from Matsushima Station on the Tohoku Main Line. Walk approximately 10 minutes to Zuiganji, see the architecture and exhibits, then visit nearby Entsuin. Allow separate time for entering and buying tickets at both facilities and for a meal.
Entsuin closes at 16:00 in April–November and 15:30 in December–March. If lunch would run late, visit the gardens first. In strong wind, shorten the coastal walk and take a train towards Sendai from Matsushimakaigan Station. The two temples' ¥1,500 admission plus the ¥1,420 area pass give a subtotal of ¥2,920.
- Sendai Station → JR Matsushimakaigan Station
From Sendai Station, take a JR Senseki Line train stopping at Matsushimakaigan; the ride takes approximately 40 minutes. Check your arrival station: it differs from Matsushima Station on the Tohoku Main Line.
Matsushima Tourism Association: Senseki Line direction and approximately 40-minute ride
- Matsushimakaigan Station → Zuiganji Temple
Walk approximately 10 minutes from Matsushimakaigan Station to Zuiganji. Allow about an hour to see the temple architecture and exhibits and leave the grounds.
Zuiganji: admission, seasonal closing and walks from each station
- Zuiganji Temple → Entsuin gardens
The tourism association's model route gives an approximately one-minute walk between Zuiganji and Entsuin. Entry and ticket procedures at the two facilities take separate time. If Entsuin is nearing closing time, visit the gardens before lunch.
Entsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each stationMatsushima Tourism Association model route: approximately one minute between temples
- Entsuin gardens → Matsushimakaigan Station → Sendai Station
Return from Entsuin to Matsushimakaigan Station and take the Senseki Line towards Sendai. Search return trains for your travel date. In strong wind or rain, shorten the coastal walk first.
Matsushima Tourism Association: Senseki Line direction and approximately 40-minute rideEntsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each station
Choose one temple if visiting both is difficult. If you are ineligible for the pass, recalculate costs using individual JR tickets for your actual journeys.
Day 3: Bansuisodo → Sendai Station → Naruko Onsen
Bansuisodo · 晩翠草堂
Before moving to Naruko, make a short visit to exhibits in Bansuisodo, poet Doi Bansui's former home. Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station, get off at Bansuisodo-mae and use the entrance with the stone marker on the Aoba-dori side. Ordinary visits are free; hours are 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday) and 29 December–3 January.
Afterwards, take Loople in the same direction back to Sendai Station. Even if you allow only 20–30 minutes in the house, the return loop takes approximately an hour; this is not a quick return trip. Two single bus rides cost ¥600.
Have lunch near the station, then move to accommodation in Naruko Onsen. Take the Tohoku Main Line from Sendai to Kogota, then transfer to the Rikuu East Line towards Naruko Onsen. Search connections and the full JR fare for your travel date, and choose accommodation where arrival leaves time for check-in and dinner.
- Sendai Station west exit, bay 16 → Bansuisodo-mae
Take Loople Sendai from west-exit bay 16 at Sendai Station and get off at Bansuisodo-mae. The return continues in the same loop direction.
- Bansuisodo-mae → Bansuisodo
From the Loople stop, use the entrance with the 天地有情 stone marker on the Aoba-dori side. This plan allows about 20–30 minutes for the former home's exhibits. Distinguish the Loople stop from the regular city bus stop with the same name.
Miyagi Tourism Federation: Bansuisodo free admission, hours and closuresSendai Tourism Association: Bansuisodo entrance and Loople stop
- Bansuisodo-mae → Sendai Station
At Bansuisodo-mae, take Loople Sendai in the same loop direction. Even after a short visit, the loop to Sendai Station takes approximately an hour, so allow plenty of return time.
- Sendai Station → Kogota Station
At Sendai Station, take a JR Tohoku Main Line train towards Kogota. In the Sendai–Naruko Onsen search for your travel date, check the Kogota transfer and full journey fare together.
- Kogota Station → Naruko Onsen Station → your booked accommodation
At Kogota, transfer to the Rikuu East Line towards Naruko Onsen. Stay inside the ticket gates and follow platform signs that day. Get off at Naruko Onsen and travel to your booked accommodation.
Skip the former home if the Bansuisodo return trip would leave too little time to travel to Naruko.
Day 4: seasonal return bus to the gorge entrance → Naruko accommodation
Give the gorge walk time during your Naruko Onsen stay. Take Momiji-go to Nakayamadaira-guchi, then go to the trail entrance by the rest house. Walk down 350 m one way to Kaiko Bridge and return to the same entrance; this is not a through-route to the opposite side.
Follow the trail's listed 09:00–16:00 opening hours and restrictions that day. Choose your return bus first, leaving time for the visit and stairs both ways. For Momiji-go from 26 October to 8 November 2026, the adult fare is ¥450 one way or ¥900 return. Payment is cash and boarding is first come, first served; full buses or service changes may prevent the planned return trip. Check separate access arrangements in other seasons.
- Naruko Onsen Station → Narukokyo Nakayamadaira-guchi
Take the autumn seasonal Momiji-go bus to Narukokyo Nakayamadaira-guchi. The guidance for 26 October–8 November 2026 lists an adult one-way fare of ¥450, cash payment and first-come boarding. Do not assume the same bus runs outside this period.
Miyako Bus: 2026 gorge bus dates and boarding conditionsMiyako Bus PDF: 2026 return gorge bus times and section fares
- Nakayamadaira-guchi bus stop → Entrance to the permitted gorge trail
From the Nakayamadaira entrance by the rest house, walk down 350 m one way to Kaiko Bridge and return along the same path. Do not continue through to the 230 m section on the opposite side. Allow time for stairs and reaching the entrance, and follow Osaki City's opening notices and on-site restrictions.
Osaki City: 2026 gorge entrances, one-way distances and opening hours
- Nakayamadaira-guchi bus stop → Naruko Onsen Station
Choose your return Momiji-go service for the visit date first, then return to the same stop. Get off at Naruko Onsen Station, have a meal and return to the same accommodation. If a bus is full or delayed, ask the operator about remaining services.
Miyako Bus PDF: 2026 return gorge bus times and section fares
Skip the gorge if wind, rain, on-site restrictions or full buses prevent you from securing a return journey.
Day 5: Taki-no-Yu → Naruko Onsen Station → return to Sendai and depart
On the day you leave Naruko, you can visit Taki-no-Yu near the station. Walk approximately five minutes from the station and buy a ¥300 adult bathing ticket at the entrance machine. Listed hours are 07:30–21:00, with last reception at 20:30.
After bathing and changing, retrace your route to the station, take the Rikuu East Line to Kogota and transfer to the Tohoku Main Line towards Sendai. If there is too little time to connect to the airport or a long-distance train, skip bathing on the last day and return to Sendai first. Return JR travel to Naruko is excluded from the partial subtotal.
- Naruko Onsen Station → Taki-no-Yu
Taki-no-Yu is approximately five minutes on foot from Naruko Onsen Station. Buy a ¥300 adult bathing ticket at the entrance machine.
Osaki Tourism Corporation: approximately five-minute walk to Taki-no-Yu
- Taki-no-Yu → Naruko Onsen Station
After bathing, retrace your route to Naruko Onsen Station. On departure day, allow time for changing and returning to the station; skip bathing if time is short.
Osaki Tourism Corporation: approximately five-minute walk to Taki-no-Yu
- Naruko Onsen Station → Kogota Station
At Naruko Onsen Station, take the JR Rikuu East Line towards Kogota. Search connections to Sendai for your travel date and follow platform signs that day.
- Kogota Station → Sendai Station
At Kogota, transfer to the Tohoku Main Line towards Sendai. After reaching Sendai Station, allow separate time to travel to the airport or connect to a long-distance train.
Search connections to Sendai for your travel date. Your onward departure takes priority over bathing.
Included: Museum permanent exhibition ¥460 + return Loople rides ¥600 + temples/area pass ¥2,920 + Bansuisodo/return Loople rides ¥600 + return gorge bus ¥900 + Taki-no-Yu ¥300 = ¥5,780.
Extra or unconfirmed: Required return JR travel between Sendai, Kogota and Naruko Onsen, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, accommodation access, airport and long-distance travel, special exhibitions, evening events and additional visits are excluded. Search JR fares for your travel date.
¥5,780 is a partial subtotal assuming a paid museum permanent exhibition visit and the gorge bus within its operating period. It does not include return JR travel to Naruko. Adjust costs and the route on museum free-entry dates or outside the gorge bus period. The Sendai Area Pass is for holders of valid non-Japanese passports; it is not applied to the Naruko return journey here.
Loople Sendai: every 20 minutes on weekdays outside August; every 15 minutes on weekends/public holidays and throughout August; ¥300/¥700Zuiganji: admission, seasonal closing and walks from each stationEntsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each stationSendai Area Pass: ¥1,420, passport eligibility and coverageMiyagi Tourism Federation: Bansuisodo free admission, hours and closuresMiyako Bus PDF: 2026 return gorge bus times and section faresOsaki City: Taki-no-Yu ¥300, last reception and address
Frequently asked questions
Does the two-night Naruko route cost include return JR travel?
No. It is a partial admission and sightseeing transport subtotal assuming a paid museum permanent exhibition visit and gorge bus use within its operating period. Required return JR travel between Sendai, Kogota and Naruko Onsen is separate; search fares for your travel date. Accommodation, meals, accommodation access, luggage storage, airport transfers and long-distance travel are also excluded.
Sendai City Museum: admission, hours and closure datesLoople Sendai: every 20 minutes on weekdays outside August; every 15 minutes on weekends/public holidays and throughout August; ¥300/¥700Sendai Area Pass: ¥1,420, passport eligibility and coverageMiyako Bus PDF: 2026 return gorge bus times and section faresOsaki City: Taki-no-Yu ¥300, last reception and addressJR date-specific fare search entry point: conditions must be entered again
Can I take the Naruko Gorge bus in other seasons?
Momiji-go is an autumn seasonal bus. The checked 2026 guidance lists operation from 26 October to 8 November. Do not assume the same bus runs in other seasons; check return access separately. Payment is cash and boarding is first come, first served. A full bus or delay can prevent boarding your preferred service.
Can I use the Sendai Area Pass to travel from Sendai to Naruko Onsen?
Official JR coverage of the Sendai Area Pass consists of designated sections between Sendai, Matsushima, Matsushimakaigan, Yamadera and Shiroishi. Return JR travel from Sendai via Kogota to Naruko Onsen and accommodation are separate from the area pass costs shown in the route. It differs from the wider JR EAST PASS; distinguish names and coverage.
Can one Sendai Area Pass take me to Yamagata when changing accommodation?
The pass boundary on the Senzan Line is Yamadera Station, so one pass does not cover the full journey to Yamagata Station. Calculate the full journey with ordinary tickets or check the validity of a JR East Pass you already hold. The option with three Sendai nights and one Yamagata night returns to Sendai by Senzan Line on the last day. Accommodation and extra rail fares are excluded from the original A/B partial subtotals.
Official Sendai area pass map: Yamadera boundaryJR East Pass: five or ten consecutive days and covered linesJR Senzan Line: stop order Sendai → Yamadera → YamagataJR Senzan Line: stop order Yamagata → Yamadera → Sendai
Official sources and check dates
- Zuihoden: individual admission, day-pass discount, closures and access ·
- Matsushima Tourism Association: Senseki Line direction and approximately 40-minute ride ·
- Matsushima Tourism Association model route: approximately one minute between temples ·
- Zuiganji: admission, seasonal closing and walks from each station ·
- Entsuin: admission, seasonal hours and walks from each station ·
- Sendai Area Pass: ¥1,420, passport eligibility and coverage ·
- Umino-Mori Aquarium: approximately 18 minutes by JR, walking route and ¥200 bus ·
- Umino-Mori Aquarium: admission and seasonal hours ·
- Sendai City Museum: admission, hours and closure dates ·
- Loople Sendai: every 20 minutes on weekdays outside August; every 15 minutes on weekends/public holidays and throughout August; ¥300/¥700 ·
- Zuihoden English guide: stairs and individual visits ·
- Miyako Bus: 2026 gorge bus dates and boarding conditions ·
- Miyako Bus PDF: 2026 return gorge bus times and section fares ·
- Osaki Tourism Corporation: approximately five-minute walk to Taki-no-Yu ·
- Osaki City: Taki-no-Yu ¥300, last reception and address ·
- Miyagi Tourism Federation: Bansuisodo free admission, hours and closures ·
- Sendai City Museum: access from the subway exit and Loople stop ·
- Sendai Tourism Association: castle-site admission, Loople stop and main enclosure stairs ·
- Sendai Tourism Association: Bansuisodo entrance and Loople stop ·
- Osaki City: 2026 gorge entrances, one-way distances and opening hours ·
- JR date-specific fare search entry point: conditions must be entered again ·
- Official JR timetable: Sendai → Kogota ·
- Official JR timetable: Kogota → Naruko Onsen ·
- Official JR timetable: Naruko Onsen → Kogota ·
- Official JR timetable: Kogota → Sendai ·
- Tohoku Culture Day: Sendai City Museum permanent exhibition free for everyone on 2026-11-03 only ·
- Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B set ticket ¥6,600, validity period and sales counters ·
- JR East Pass: five or ten consecutive days and covered lines ·
- JR Senzan Line: stop order Yamagata → Yamadera → Sendai ·
- JR Senzan Line: stop order Sendai → Yamadera → Yamagata ·
- Official Sendai area pass map: Yamadera boundary ·
- Official Risshakuji guidance: ¥500 mountain admission at the Sanmon gate, cash payment ·
- Official Bunshokan information: free admission, hours and closures ·
- Yamagata City: Kajo Park free admission, seasonal hours and south-gate access ·