Sendai Airport to Sendai Station 2026: Train Fares and Transfers

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The easiest way to travel from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station is the Sendai Airport Access Line. The train runs directly from the airport terminal area to central Sendai, requires no change at Natori and normally takes around 25 minutes. For almost every solo traveller, couple and small family, this is the most practical choice.

You do not need to reserve an airport train or buy a special express ticket. Purchase an ordinary ticket or tap an accepted IC card at the gate. Travellers planning several long-distance Shinkansen journeys can compare the JR EAST PASS for a wider Tohoku itinerary, but it is poor value when used only for the short airport journey.

The most important current change is that the old rapid service no longer operates. From March 14 2026, all trains became local services, increasing the fastest scheduled journey from approximately 17 minutes to around 25 minutes. Articles still advertising a 17-minute rapid train are outdated.

The fare has also changed. A paper ticket from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station currently costs ¥680 for an adult or ¥340 for a child. The IC-card fares are ¥672 and ¥335. No reservation, seat supplement or airport surcharge is added.

A previous airport bus to Sendai Station is currently suspended and does not appear among the airport’s operating bus routes. Do not wait at the bus stop expecting a direct city service. Use the train unless you need a taxi, have mobility requirements that make door-to-door transport preferable, or arrive after the final departure.

Once you reach the city, the Sendai travel guide explains how to divide your time between central Sendai, Matsushima, local food and wider Tohoku excursions.

Sendai Airport to Sendai Station: Quick Answer

This is an airport transfer combined with Natori sightseeing, not an airport train ticket. The current product requires at least two participants and includes transport only, with attraction admission and meals extra. Multilingual customer support does not mean a multilingual guide travels with you. Allow time for immigration and baggage, and check flight, meeting time, hotel coverage and minimum-party conditions.

Is the Train Always the Best Choice?

The train is the best overall option because it avoids road traffic, reaches the city centre directly and costs far less than a taxi. The station is attached to the terminal, so there is no outdoor shuttle or long walk with luggage.

A taxi becomes more sensible when four or more people can divide the fare, when a traveller cannot comfortably handle luggage through Sendai Station, or when the hotel is outside the central station area. It is also the main fallback after the final train.

Latest Train Changes First-Time Visitors Should Know

The 17-Minute Rapid Train Has Ended

The previous timetable included a limited rapid service that skipped several stations and could complete the journey in approximately 17 minutes. From March 14 2026, every rapid train was converted into a local service.

All current airport trains stop at:

1. Sendai Airport
2. Mitazono
3. Morisekinoshita
4. Natori
5. Minami-Sendai
6. Taishido
7. Nagamachi
8. Sendai

There is still no need to change at Natori. The train continues from the Sendai Airport Transit section onto the JR network and terminates at Sendai Station.

The Current Fare Is No Longer ¥660

Older guides may show an adult fare of ¥660. The current adult paper-ticket fare is ¥680, while the IC-card fare is ¥672. The small difference is normal because paper and IC fares can be calculated differently.

The Previous Direct Bus Is Suspended

The current airport bus list covers Yamagata, Natori, Iwanuma and selected seasonal destinations, but not central Sendai. Search engines and older transport pages may still display an airport limousine bus to Sendai Station. Do not build your arrival plan around that information.

Exact Route from the Arrival Lobby to Sendai Airport Station

The airport station is directly connected to the passenger terminal. The route is indoors or covered and does not require a shuttle bus.

View photo: Exterior of Sendai Airport passenger terminal in Miyagi Prefecture Sendai Airport terminal | Photo provided by Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Strategy Division（写真提供：宮城県観光戦略課）

From Domestic Arrivals

1. Exit the domestic arrivals lobby on the first floor.
2. Walk towards the convenience store.
3. Turn right in front of the store.
4. Take the escalator or lift to the second floor.
5. Follow signs for the Sendai Airport Access Line.
6. Cross the connecting bridge.
7. Continue for approximately two minutes to the ticket gates.

From International Arrivals

1. Exit the international arrivals lobby on the first floor.
2. Proceed towards the bank and central plaza area.
3. Use the escalator or lift to reach the second floor.
4. Follow the signs towards the railway connecting bridge.
5. Cross the bridge and continue to the station ticket gates.

The total terminal-to-station walk is normally around three minutes, but international travellers should separately allow time for immigration, baggage reclaim, customs and any currency or SIM-card arrangements.

Installing maps and translation access before leaving the terminal makes the first transfer easier. The Japan eSIM guide compares connectivity options and explains when to install and activate a plan.

Open the official airport-station map and timetable before arrival. For onward rail travel, the Sendai Station transfer diagram is more useful than a general city map.

How to Buy the Train Ticket

Option 1: Buy a Paper Ticket

Use the ticket vending machines beside the station gates. Select Sendai as the destination and pay the displayed fare.

For children under six, up to two infants may travel free with one accompanying adult. A third infant requires a child ticket.

Option 2: Tap an IC Card

Accepted IC cards, including local icsca, include:

• Kitaca
• icsca
• Suica
• PASMO
• manaca
• TOICA
• ICOCA
• PiTaPa
• SUGOCA
• nimoca
• Hayakaken

PiTaPa must have stored value because post-pay operation is not supported on this route.

Can You Buy a Suica Card at Sendai Airport Station?

No. Sendai Airport Transit stations do not sell Suica cards. Travellers who do not already possess a compatible IC card should simply buy a paper ticket. There is no meaningful disadvantage apart from paying the slightly higher paper fare.

Is There a Return Ticket?

The airport railway does not sell a special round-trip or coupon ticket. Buy a normal ticket for each journey or use an IC card.

Do You Need a Reserved Seat?

No. These are ordinary commuter-style trains with unreserved seating. There is no airport-express seat fee, luggage reservation or advance-purchase requirement.

Sendai Airport Train Timetable and Frequency

The current timetable provides 44 round trips per day. During much of the daytime, departures are spaced at approximately 20-minute intervals. Early morning, evening and some transition periods have wider gaps.

Flight delays do not cause the final train to wait. International arrivals should not assume that a scheduled landing shortly before 23:00 leaves enough time for immigration, baggage collection and the walk to the station.

Check the live operating notice on the travel day when severe weather, earthquakes or railway disruption are possible.

What Are the Trains Like With Luggage?

The Sendai Airport Access Line is convenient, but it is not designed like the Narita Express or another luggage-focused airport train. Carriages use ordinary commuter-style layouts, and dedicated suitcase storage may be limited or absent.

A standard suitcase is manageable. Problems are more likely when:

• Each person carries several large bags.
• A group boards during a busy commuting period.
• Passengers block the doorway while arranging luggage.
• The hotel requires another crowded local train or subway after Sendai Station.

Keep suitcases close, avoid leaving bags in the aisle and move away from the doors when possible. Families should board calmly rather than rushing onto a carriage at the last moment.

Luggage Delivery and Temporary Storage at the Airport

Yamato Transport operates on the second floor of Sendai Airport from 08:00 to 18:00. Services include parcel delivery to hotels and addresses in Japan, airport luggage forwarding and temporary storage of suitcases, sports equipment and other bags. Temporary storage does not require a reservation.

This can be useful when:

• Your hotel will accept forwarded luggage.
• You want to begin sightseeing before hotel check-in.
• You are continuing directly to an onsen or regional destination.
• You are carrying ski or golf equipment.

Delivery is not instantaneous. Confirm the expected arrival day before sending anything needed that evening.

Arriving at Sendai Station: Platform, Exit and Transfers

Airport trains usually arrive at platform 3; some use platform 2 or 4. Check the arrival display rather than assuming a fixed platform. Take the escalator or lift to the second-floor concourse and then follow signs for your chosen exit, subway, local JR line or Shinkansen transfer.

View photo: Stained-glass meeting point inside Sendai Station Sendai Station stained-glass meeting point | Photo provided by Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Strategy Division（写真提供：宮城県観光戦略課）

Use the West Exit For

• Loople Sendai sightseeing bus
• Central shopping arcades
• Aoba-dori and Ichibancho
• Many city-centre hotels
• Gyutan restaurants and major shopping buildings
• Taxi access towards the western side of the city

Use the East Exit For

• East-side station hotels
• Yodobashi Camera and BiVi
• Hotels around Tsutsujigaoka
• Some tour and coach meeting points
• A quieter base that remains close to JR services

Transferring to the Shinkansen

The railway operator estimates approximately eight minutes from the usual airport-train platforms to the Shinkansen platforms. This is possible for a traveller who knows the station, walks briskly and has little luggage.

For a first visit, allow at least 15 to 20 minutes. Add more time when:

• You have a large suitcase.
• You need to collect a reserved ticket.
• You are travelling with children or older relatives.
• You need a lift rather than an escalator.
• The station is crowded.
• You want to buy food before boarding.

Do not schedule an eight-minute connection simply because eight minutes is the official walking estimate.

Transferring to the Subway

Follow the signs for the Sendai Subway. Allow around 10 to 15 minutes from the airport-train platform when carrying luggage. Sendai Station is large enough that platform-to-platform movement takes longer than the map suggests.

Transferring to Matsushima

For Matsushima’s waterfront, temples and sightseeing cruises, use the JR Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan Station. Do not use Matsushima Station unless your accommodation or specific itinerary requires it.

Is the Route Suitable for Families?

Yes. The terminal-to-station route is short and step-free, and the direct train removes the need to change platforms with children and luggage.

Families should still consider the following:

• The train has unreserved seating.
• A busy service may not provide adjacent seats immediately.
• Large strollers should be folded when the carriage is crowded.
• There may be little dedicated luggage storage.
• Children should remain clear of platform edges and carriage doors.
• Allow extra time for toilets before leaving the terminal.

A taxi is worth considering when two adults are managing several young children, a stroller and multiple suitcases. The train is cheaper, but door-to-door transport may reduce enough stress to justify the cost.

Is the Route Suitable for Older Travellers?

The physical route is relatively easy because the airport terminal and station are linked without steps. Sendai Station also has lifts and escalators, although the concourse is large and can involve several minutes of walking.

Older travellers may prefer a taxi when:

• Standing on the train would be difficult.
• The hotel is not close to Sendai Station.
• Several pieces of luggage must be handled.
• The group would otherwise need another transfer after reaching the city.

If the main concern is walking rather than cost, compare the complete door-to-door route instead of looking only at the 25-minute train journey.

Wheelchair Access and Boarding Assistance

Sendai Airport Station staff can arrange a boarding ramp and inform the destination station that assistance is required. Contact the station in advance and arrive at least 15 minutes before the intended departure.

The connecting walkway between the terminal and station is step-free. At Sendai Station, follow staff directions for the appropriate lift and accessible route.

Travellers using larger powered wheelchairs or carrying specialised equipment should confirm dimensions and assistance arrangements directly with the operator before travel.

Does the JR EAST PASS Cover the Airport Train?

Yes. The current JR EAST PASS includes the Sendai Airport Transit Line and combines travel across the wider eastern Japan network. Adult prices are ¥35,000 for five consecutive days or ¥50,000 for ten consecutive days. However, this does not mean the pass is automatically good value.

Do not buy the pass when your complete plan is limited to:

• Sendai Airport to Sendai Station
• Central Sendai sightseeing
• A Matsushima day trip
• Sendai Station back to the airport

The pass becomes more relevant when several expensive journeys are combined, such as:

• Tokyo to Sendai
• Sendai to Morioka or Aomori
• Sendai to Akita
• Additional Shinkansen or limited-express travel across Tohoku
• A return journey to Tokyo within the pass period

Calculate the cost of the actual long-distance trains first. The ¥672 or ¥680 airport fare contributes very little towards recovering the price of a regional rail pass.

Local passes: Sendai Area Pass and Sendai Marugoto Pass

For a compact Sendai, Matsushima or Yamadera trip, compare the smaller local passes before considering a regional JR pass. The official coverage map and purchase rules include the airport railway, specified JR lines, Sendai Subway and selected buses.

The Area Pass is sold at Sendai Station, so it is less convenient for someone who has just landed. Marugoto Pass is available at Sendai Airport Station ticket machines, but those machines sell only passes starting that day. Check the actual routes and total ordinary fares, rather than assuming a pass saves money.

Taxi from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station

Taxis depart from the official taxi stand outside the terminal. Fares are metered rather than a single airport-to-station tourist price, so the final cost depends on traffic, waiting time and the exact hotel entrance.

A taxi is most useful for:

• Arrival after the final train
• Groups dividing the fare
• Families carrying several suitcases
• Travellers with mobility limitations
• Hotels away from Sendai Station
• Direct travel to a business, hospital or residential address

During ordinary conditions, the road journey is often around 30 to 45 minutes, but traffic or weather can make it longer. The train is usually more predictable during busy periods.

Private Transfer and Natori Sightseeing Option

A bookable product currently combines a private journey between Sendai Airport and a Sendai city hotel with sightseeing in Natori. The airport-to-city version includes a stop around the Yuriage waterfront area rather than travelling straight to the hotel.

This option can work for a group that:

• Wants a private vehicle.
• Has at least two participants.
• Arrives early enough for sightseeing.
• Does not need to reach the hotel immediately.
• Is comfortable with the product’s meeting-time and itinerary conditions.

It is not the correct choice for travellers who simply want the quickest private transfer. Admission, food and some activity costs may also be separate.

What to Do If Your Flight Arrives Late

The final train currently leaves Sendai Airport at 23:23. A flight landing before that time does not guarantee that passengers will catch it.

You still need time for:

• Taxiing to the aircraft stand
• Leaving the aircraft
• Immigration for international flights
• Baggage reclaim
• Customs
• Walking to the second-floor station bridge
• Buying a ticket

Practical Late-Arrival Plan

1. Check the final train time again on the travel date.
2. Keep your hotel name and address in Japanese.
3. Inform the hotel when check-in may be after its normal reception hours.
4. Use the official taxi stand when the train is no longer realistic.
5. Do not accept an unofficial ride offered inside the terminal.
6. Choose a hotel near Sendai Station for the first night when onward travel begins early the next morning.

A very late arrival is not the right time to continue directly to Matsushima, Akiu Onsen or a rural hotel unless a confirmed private vehicle or hotel pickup has been arranged.

Arrival-Day Half-Day Itinerary

Travellers landing by late morning can still have a useful first afternoon without rushing into a long regional excursion.

Choose either Zuihoden or the Sendai Castle site when the flight is delayed. Trying to complete every historical stop on arrival day creates unnecessary pressure.

Easy First-Morning Plan Near Sendai Station

View photo: Fresh produce and local food stalls at Sendai Morning Market Sendai Morning Market near Sendai Station | Photo provided by Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Strategy Division（写真提供：宮城県観光戦略課）

Sendai Morning Market is a short walk from the station and works well before a full sightseeing day. Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for produce, seafood, takeaway food and a light breakfast.

It is not a large wholesale market requiring half a day. Its value comes from being close to the station and easy to combine with hotel checkout, Loople Sendai or a regional train.

Best Full-Day Trip After Arriving in Sendai

Matsushima is the strongest first full-day excursion for most visitors. Use the JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station to Matsushima-Kaigan Station, then explore Zuiganji, Godaido, the waterfront and local seafood.

A Matsushima Bay sightseeing cruise can be reserved when a particular sailing time matters. A simple round-trip cruise from Matsushima is the easiest arrangement for a first visit because it returns to the main sightseeing area.

Travellers who prefer an organised vehicle itinerary can compare a small-group tour combining Matsushima with Kanahebisui Shrine. Check the selected date, language arrangements, meeting point, luggage allowance and mobility limitations carefully before booking.

What to Eat After Reaching Sendai Station

Gyutan

Grilled beef tongue is Sendai’s signature meal. The station contains several convenient restaurants, although popular branches can have queues around lunch and dinner.

Zunda

Zunda is a sweet edamame paste used in mochi, shakes, parfaits and cakes. A drink or small dessert is an easy arrival-day snack.

Sasa-Kamaboko

This bamboo-leaf-shaped fish cake is convenient as a snack or souvenir. Some shops sell freshly grilled versions, while packaged products travel well.

Miyagi Seafood

Sendai Station and the morning market provide easy access to seafood without travelling immediately to the coast. Save a larger oyster meal for Matsushima when it is already part of the itinerary.

When to Eat

Travellers landing around lunchtime should eat near Sendai Station before beginning sightseeing. Carrying luggage through restaurant queues and historical attractions is inconvenient, so leave bags at the hotel first whenever possible.

Where to Stay After Arriving at Sendai Airport

Sendai Station West Exit

The West Exit is best for first-time sightseeing, restaurants, shopping arcades and Loople Sendai. It is the strongest all-round location when the itinerary includes central historical attractions.

Sendai Station East Exit

The East Exit is quieter but remains close to JR services, the Shinkansen and airport trains. It works particularly well for travellers prioritising day trips or an uncomplicated departure.

Ichibancho and Aoba-dori

These areas suit travellers who value shopping, cafés and evening walks more than immediate JR access. Reaching the hotel may require a subway ride, taxi or longer walk after the airport train.

Kokubuncho

Kokubuncho has a stronger nightlife and restaurant focus. It is better for adults and couples than families wanting a quiet first night.

Is an Airport Hotel Necessary?

An airport-area hotel is usually unnecessary when the flight arrives before the final train. Staying near Sendai Station is more useful for sightseeing, food and onward JR travel.

Consider an airport-area stay only when:

• Your flight arrives too late to reach central Sendai comfortably.
• You have an unusually early departure.
• Severe weather creates uncertainty.
• You need to collect a rental car the following morning.

First-Time Mistakes to Avoid

1. Looking for the 17-Minute Rapid Train

It has been discontinued. All current services are local trains taking around 25 minutes.

2. Budgeting the Old ¥660 Fare

The current adult fare is ¥680 with a paper ticket or ¥672 with an IC card.

3. Waiting for a Direct Sendai Station Bus

The former route is suspended. Use the railway or a taxi.

4. Thinking a Transfer Is Required at Natori

The train stops at Natori but continues directly to Sendai.

5. Expecting to Buy a Suica Card at the Airport Station

Suica is accepted but not sold by Sendai Airport Transit. Buy a normal ticket when you do not already have a compatible card.

6. Buying a JR EAST PASS Only for the Airport Ride

The local fare is far too low to justify a regional pass. Calculate the wider Shinkansen itinerary first.

7. Expecting Reserved Airport-Express Seating

The line uses unreserved commuter-style trains. Seating is not guaranteed during busy periods.

8. Creating an Eight-Minute Shinkansen Connection

Eight minutes is an official walking estimate, not a comfortable connection for first-time visitors with luggage.

9. Choosing the Wrong Sendai Station Exit

Confirm whether the hotel is on the West Exit or East Exit side before leaving the concourse.

10. Carrying Every Suitcase Through Arrival-Day Sightseeing

Leave bags at the hotel, use lockers or arrange luggage delivery before beginning the itinerary.

11. Assuming a Scheduled Landing Before 23:23 Guarantees the Final Train

Immigration, baggage claim and customs can easily consume the remaining time.

12. Using Matsushima Station for the Main Waterfront

Matsushima-Kaigan Station is normally the correct stop for the temples, cruise pier and visitor area.

Sendai Airport to Sendai Station FAQ

Is there a direct train from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station?

Yes. The Sendai Airport Access Line runs directly to Sendai Station without a transfer.

Do I need to change trains at Natori?

No. The train stops at Natori and then continues to Sendai.

How long does the airport train take?

Allow around 25 minutes. Individual services may take approximately 24 to 33 minutes.

Does the 17-minute rapid train still operate?

No. All rapid services were converted into local trains from March 14 2026.

How much is the train?

The adult paper-ticket fare is ¥680 and the IC-card fare is ¥672. Child fares are ¥340 and ¥335.

Can I use Suica or PASMO?

Yes. Suica, PASMO, local icsca and the other IC cards listed above are accepted.

Can I buy a Suica card at Sendai Airport Station?

No. Buy a paper ticket when you do not already have a compatible IC card.

Is a train reservation required?

No. The service uses ordinary unreserved seating.

Is there an airport-express surcharge?

No. Pay only the standard fare.

What time is the first train?

The first current departure from Sendai Airport is 05:31, arriving at Sendai at 05:55.

What time is the final train?

The final current departure is 23:23, arriving at Sendai at 23:51.

Is there a direct bus to Sendai Station?

No current direct service is listed. The former Sendai Station airport bus is suspended.

How far is the station from the terminal?

The walk normally takes approximately three minutes through the second-floor connecting bridge.

Is the route step-free?

Yes. The airport terminal and railway station are directly connected by a step-free route using lifts when required.

Can I take a stroller?

Yes. A stroller is manageable, although folding it may be considerate on a crowded train.

Is wheelchair assistance available?

Yes. Contact station staff in advance and arrive at least 15 minutes before departure so a ramp and arrival assistance can be arranged.

Are there luggage racks?

Do not depend on large dedicated airport-train racks. The trains use commuter-style interiors with limited luggage space.

Can I send luggage from the airport to my hotel?

Yes. Yamato Transport on the second floor accepts luggage delivery and also provides temporary storage during its operating hours.

Which platform does the airport train use at Sendai Station?

It normally arrives at platform 3 or 4, although passengers should follow the display and announcements on the day.

How long should I allow for a Shinkansen connection?

Allow at least 15 to 20 minutes on a first visit. Add more time for ticket collection, children, mobility needs or large luggage.

Which Sendai Station exit is best?

Use the West Exit for Loople Sendai, the shopping arcades and much of the city centre. Use the East Exit for east-side hotels, Yodobashi Camera and some tour meeting points.

Does the JR EAST PASS cover the airport train?

Yes, but the pass is worthwhile only when the itinerary includes several expensive regional JR journeys.

Should I take a taxi instead?

Take a taxi when arriving after the final train, carrying several suitcases, travelling in a group or requiring door-to-door mobility support. Otherwise, the train is usually better.

Can I go directly from the airport to Matsushima?

Public transport is simplest via Sendai Station. Transfer to the Senseki Line and travel to Matsushima-Kaigan Station. A very late arrival should stay in Sendai first.

Going Beyond Sendai: Yamagata, Matsushima and Rural Tohoku

Direct airport bus to Yamagata

If your first hotel is in Yamagata, a direct bus can save the detour through Sendai. The currently linked airport timetable has departures at 10:00 and 17:00 from airport bus stop 2, taking about 80 minutes to Yamagata Station. Adult tickets are ¥2,000 and child tickets ¥1,000. Some seats can be reserved online; unreserved travel is also possible. Check the official airport bus routes, boarding map and timetable against your flight, because only two departures leave a substantial wait if you miss one.

When the direct bus does not fit, take the airport train to Sendai and change to the JR Senzan Line for Yamagata. Allow for the connection, rather than comparing only each vehicle’s running time.

Matsushima and hotel districts

For the Matsushima waterfront, change at Sendai to the Senseki Line for Matsushima-Kaigan. A practical airport-to-waterfront allowance is around 80–110 minutes including the transfer, with extra time for luggage storage. See the detailed Sendai–Matsushima route guide (Traditional Chinese). An early arrival with light luggage can work; an afternoon landing usually makes an overnight stay in Sendai the calmer option.

Stay near Sendai Station for the easiest arrival and later JR journeys. Aoba-dori and Ichibancho work well for shopping, while Kokubuncho and Kotodai-koen normally involve a final walk, subway ride or short taxi journey. Nagamachi is a stop before Sendai, so use it directly when your hotel is in the southern part of the city.

When airport car rental is worthwhile

A car is useful for dispersed rural Miyagi or Yamagata destinations, but less helpful for a first few days limited to central Sendai, Matsushima and Yamadera. Consider collecting it only when the rural section begins, avoiding city parking costs. The existing Sendai car-rental comparison can help compare vehicle and luggage capacity. Winter mountain roads require appropriate equipment and experience; a shorter map route does not make unfamiliar snow driving a sensible choice.

Final Verdict

The Sendai Airport Access Line is the clear default for travelling from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station. It is direct, inexpensive, attached to the terminal and unaffected by normal road congestion.

Allow about three minutes from the terminal to the station and roughly 25 minutes on the train. No transfer, seat reservation or express surcharge is required.

The most important correction is that the former 17-minute rapid service no longer operates. Use the current ¥680 paper fare or ¥672 IC fare when planning your budget.

Families, stroller users and older travellers will generally find the step-free airport connection manageable. The main limitation is the commuter-style carriage rather than the physical station route.

Use a taxi for late arrivals, several large suitcases or accommodation away from the central station. The current private-transfer product is better treated as a transfer-and-sightseeing experience rather than a basic airport ride.

Do not purchase a JR EAST PASS solely for this journey. Consider it only when Sendai is one stop in a larger Tohoku rail itinerary involving several Shinkansen or limited-express journeys.

For a smooth first visit, take the direct train, leave luggage near Sendai Station and use the remaining day for gyutan, the shopping arcades or one historical stop. Save Matsushima for a proper full-day trip.