How to go from Tokyo to Sendai ?

Hayabusa, Hayate, Yamabiko, Komachi shinkansen

along the tohoku shinkansen

02.26.2018

The Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train boasts the fastest operating speed of any of the lines in Japan. If you are going to Sendai, you can take the Hayabusa, which as well as having a very distinctive shaped nose, is the fastest of them all. Destinations from Tokyo to Sendai are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, the JR East Tohoku Pass, The JR East Hokkaido Pass.

0 km - TOKYO STATIONIn Tokyo Station the shinkansen departure tracks are from 20 to 23.
4 km - 0h05 - UENO StationLocated on the Yamanote Line, this station is very useful for people staying in the north of Tokyo to board the shinkansen without the crowds of Tokyo Station. Almost all of the trains stop here.
30 km - 0H25 - OMIYA (SAITAMA) stationThe Railway Museum is a short shuttle service away from this station. There are many real train carriages and engines to see here.

81 km - 0H41 - OYAMA (TOCHIGI) stationOnly some Yamabiko services stop here, where you can change for the JR Mito Line.

110 km - 0h49 - UTSUNOMIYA stationUtsunomiya is a major train hub served by the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, JR Tohoku Main Line, Tobu Nikko Line and JR Utsunomiya Line. Change here for Nikko and take the JR Nikko Line (41 min, a train every hour).

158 km - 1h09 - NasuShiobara stationNaru Shiobara is the area around Mt. Nasudake, an active volcano in Nikko National Park, with forested highlands and home to several hot springs including Nasu Onsen on the volcano’s slopes and Shiobara Onsen, as well as various hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and suspension bridges along the mountain’s slopes. The Nasu Ropeway climbs about 800 meters up the side of Mt. Nasudake. From the upper station it is a further 30-45 minute hike to the peak.

185 KM -1H20 - SHIN-SHIRAKAWA STATIONWith a castle and a park, there is little else of note to deserve a special visit here.

227 km -1H20 - KORIYAMA station
Change here to head to Aizu-Wakamatsu, famous for sake and one of the last strongholds of the samurai.
273 km - 1H32 - FUKUSHIMA stationIf you climb Mt. Shinobu, in the center of town, you can find Iwaya-Kannon with 60 Buddhas carved into the rock and you can get a good view of the city.

307 km - 1H49 - SHIORISHI ZAO stationNot far from the station you can find a traditional merchant house, a doll museum, a samurai house and a traditionally restored castle.

352 km - 1H32 - SENDAI stationLearn more about Sendai with our Japan Experience Travel Guide.
Take the JR Tohoku Line (track n°2 at the station) for a 20-minute ride to Matsushima.

discover matsushima

What to see ?

MATSUSHIMA ISLANDS
Located half an hour outside of Sendai, the city is famous for its bay dotted with over 200 small islands covered by pine trees. For centuries, it has been ranked one of Japan’s three most scenic views, along side Miyajima and Amanohashidate. A good way to enjoy the bay is to get on a cruise boat. Operated by multiple sightseeing cruise companies, there are round trips starting and ending at Matsushima and boats from Matsushima to the nearby city of Shiogama. Longer cruises will get you to the more remote areas of Oku-Matsushima, which are less spoiled by industrial and urban development.

Where to stay ?

MATSUSHIMA CENTURY HOTEL 松島センチュリーホテル
Senzui 8, Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi, 981-0213
Tel : 02-2354-4111/www.centuryhotel.co.jp/gaikokugo/en
A great hotel for sightseeing. Located a 5-minute walk to the ferry port to Fukuura Island. Close to the ocean you will have a great view of the neighboring islands from the balcony.

HOTEL UBUDO ホテル海風土
5-3 Higashihama, Matsushima, Miyagi-gun, 981-0213
Tel : 02-2355-0022/www.ubudo.jp
A new type of ryokan, combining Japanese and Western style, with an excellent location. From Matsushima Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line, take the Matsushima Loop Bus for about 10 minutes to the Hotel Ubudo Mae stop.

Where to eat ?

SHOBIAN 松美庵
Shobian is across the main road from Matsushima National Park, about a 6-minute walk east down route 45 from Matsushima Kaigan Station.
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m./www.matsukama.jp/shop/shobian.html
This sweets café is perfect for a nice break along Matsushima Bay, with its clean and modern interior and spectacular view of the bay.

KAKIGOYA かき小屋
If you’re strolling alongside the picturesque Matsushima Bay, naturally seafood is your best choice of cuisine! This highly-rated restaurant is where the locals come for 50 minutes of all-you-can-eat fresh oysters at a reasonable price. From the eastern end of Matsushima National Park, continue towalk along the bayside beach. When the path ends, turn left,and Kakigoya is a little shack on your right.
Open daily during oyster season (October through March), with their hour-long all-you-can-eat rounds starting at 11 a.m.,12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Tel : 02-2354-2618

more Travel tips

the hikari/nozomi/kodama shinkansen

The new hokuriku shinkansen

the toreiyu TSUBASA

Shinagawa Station with your Japan Rail Pass

Tokyo station guide and map

shinagawa station guide and map

Discover Ueno Station with your Japan Rail Pass

ueno station guide and Map

Your Pass at the best price

National JR Pass	From	$ 262
JR Kansai Pass	From	$ 20
JR Kyushu Pass	From	$ 136
JR Shikoku Pass	From	$ 81
JR West Pass	From	$ 172
JR Hokkaido Pass	From	$ 149
JR Central Pass	From	$ 126
JR East Pass	From	$ 235