Comfortable even without a car! Recommended sightseeing spots in Sendai to visit with the "Loople Sendai" bus
"Loople Sendai" is a bus that runs through the center of Sendai, catching the eye with its stylish retro exterior. It is a loop bus that departs from and arrives at Sendai Station, connecting major sightseeing spots such as "Sendai Mediatheque," "Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins)," and "Zuihoden." By using a one-day pass that allows unlimited boarding and alighting, you can tour the city even without a car. We recommend enjoying it at your own pace, such as by gazing at the Sendai cityscape from the bus window and getting off at places that catch your interest. In this article, we will introduce how to use Loople Sendai, key points, and popular sightseeing spots you can visit using Loople Sendai.
What is "Loople Sendai"?
A loop bus that visits major sightseeing spots in Sendai City
"Loople Sendai" is a loop bus that goes around major sightseeing spots in Sendai City. Starting from "Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal Platform 16," it operates from the first bus at 9:00 AM to the last bus at 4:00 PM, at 20-minute intervals on weekdays,and at 15-minute intervals on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. It takes about 70 minutes to visit 14 representative sightseeing spots in Sendai, including "Zuihoden," "Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins)," "Sendai Mediatheque," and "Jozenji-dori Avenue."
The "One-Day Pass" with unlimited rides is convenient and a great value!
The boarding method for Loople Sendai is to board from the middle and exit from the front. For boarding, in addition to single-ride tickets (using cash or a transportation IC card each time), there are also "One-Day Passes" that allow unlimited boarding and alighting, and "Subway Common One-Day Passes" that can also be used on the Namboku and Tozai subway lines. If you are visiting several places, using either one-day pass is definitely more convenient and economical.
| Single ride | Loople Sendai One-Day Pass | Loople Sendai & Subway One-Day Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | 260 yen | 630 yen | 920 yen |
| Child | 130 yen | 320 yen | 460 yen |
All one-day passes can be purchased at the Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal information desk or at facilities along the Loople Sendai route. To use them, present the part with the date stamped on it to station staff or bus crew members when exiting the bus or entering/exiting subway ticket gates. There are also delightful benefits such as discounts on admission fees or food and drinks when presented at sightseeing facilities and restaurants (please check the website for details).
Additionally, you can purchase web tickets online through the digital ticket service "Sendai MaaS." Using the tickets is simple, as you just need to show the screen of your smartphone.
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Special night services are operated for a limited time, such as the "Tanabata Night Bus," "Autumn Leaves Illumination Bus," and "Pageant of Starlight Bus." You can enjoy the illuminated Zuihoden, Sendai Castle Ruins, and the magical night view of Jozenji-dori Avenue from inside the bus. The special night-only features are also a highlight.
Recommended sightseeing spots to visit with "Loople Sendai"
1Zuihoden
A beautiful mausoleum where Date Masamune rests, conveying the majesty of its original construction
Where the spirit of Date Masamune is enshrinedA mausoleum.It was built in 1636 (the 13th year of the Kanei era) in accordance with the last wishesof Date Masamune.
The highlight is the magnificent and gorgeous beauty of the building, which is based on black lacquer and decorated with gold leaf and vivid colors. Zuihoden, consisting of the main hall, the worship hall, the offering hall, and the Nehanmon Gate, was designated as a National Treasure in 1931 (the 6th year of the Showa era) as a mausoleum architecture that conveys the style of the Momoyama period. The current building was reconstructed after being destroyed by war, and underwent major renovations in 2001, restoring decorations such as the lion head carvings on the pillars and the dragon head roof tiles, regaining its original brilliance.
There is also a museum exhibiting records of excavation surveys, burial accessories, and a facial reconstruction of Date Masamune
The area where Zuihoden is located is designated as a historic site by Sendai City as the "Kyogamine Date Family Cemetery." On the grounds, the Zuihoden Museum, the Kansen-den Mausoleum of the second lord Tadamune, the Zanno-den Mausoleum of the third lord Tsunamune, the Myounkai Mausoleum, and the mausoleums of the children are lined up.
The museum is a reconstruction of the offering hall that was part of the Zuihoden facilities, and in addition to records of excavations and burial goods, it exhibits items such as a facial reconstructionof Date Masamune, which was restored using cutting-edge scientific research and facial reconstruction techniques.On Saturdays and Sundays, free guided tours are provided by volunteer guides wearing purple jinbaori (surcoats) who are stationed on the grounds.
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It is a perfect spot for strolling, where you can enjoy beautiful seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and snow. Keep an eye out for seasonal events, such as special public viewings held a few times a year and the autumn foliage illumination.
- Zuihoden
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23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba-ku, Sendai City MAP 
Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 13 minutes from JR Sendai Station via the Loople Sendai loop bus; get off at "Zuihoden-mae" and walk for about 7 minutes
9:00–16:50 (Last admission 16:30) *December and January: until 16:20 (Last admission 16:00)
December 31 (Closed), January 1 (Only Zuihoden is open; Kansen-den, Zanno-den, and the museum are closed)
General/University students 570 yen, High school students 410 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students 210 yen
022-262-6250
Free
Show your Loople Sendai one-day pass for a discount on admission: 110 yen off for general/university students, 100 yen off for high school students, and 50 yen off for elementary/junior high school students
2Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Site)
Learn about the history of Date Masamune and Sendai Castle at the museum
Sendai Castle, also known by its nickname "Aoba Castle," was the residence built by Date Masamune. Although the castle was lost due to the Abolition of Castles Ordinance in the Meiji era and air raids, the site now houses the "Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan," a facility with a museum and shops.
When you arrive at the Sendai Castle ruins, it is recommended to first visit the exhibition hall within the facility. It displays authentic materials that explain the history of the Date family and Sendai Castle, as well as models that recreate the area around Sendai Castle at that time. The CG theater screens videos of Sendai Castle using restored CG, clearly introducing what it looked like at the time of its construction and the history related to Lord Date Masamune.
Stroll through the Honmaru ruins, where the equestrian statue of Date Masamune stands, in a VR world
We recommend the "Sendai Castle VR Go" program, which allows you to experience a 360-degree virtual tour of the castle as it was when Date Masamune was alive.Borrow a dedicated scope at the reception desk and look through it at eight different points scattered around the Sendai Castle Honmaru site to see the appearance of Sendai Castle, built by Lord Date Masamune about 400 years ago, brought back to life in video.The glittering Great Hall, the turrets and stone walls, and the kake-zukuri (stilt-style architecture) that is the symbol of the castleare displayed, and each spot also features audio guidance commentary. You can immerse yourself in the world of history with a great sense of realism.
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Located at an altitude of about 100 meters, this is a superb viewpoint offering a panoramic view of Sendai City. In addition, the Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan features shops selling exclusive Date Masamune merchandise and famous Sendai sweets, as well as a food court where you can enjoy Sendai gourmet dishes like harako-meshi (salmon and roe rice bowl), beef tongue, and zunda mochi.
- Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins)
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- 1 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 15 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
- Approx. 26 minutes from JR Sendai Station via the "Loople Sendai" loop bus; get off at "Sendai Castle Ruins"
- Aoba Castle Museum: April–October 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:40), November–March 9:00–16:00 (last admission 15:40)
- Every Wednesday from the last Wednesday of November to the first Wednesday of March (see the official website for details)
- Adults 770 yen, junior high and high school students 550 yen, elementary school students 330 yen (Aoba Castle Museum)
*Sendai Castle VR Go is charged separately - 022-222-0218 (Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan)
- Paid
- 110 yen discount on Aoba Castle Museum admission with presentation of a Loople Sendai one-day pass
3Sendai Mediatheque
A complex cultural facility where architectural beauty and art fuse together
Opened in 2001, this is a complex cultural facility that integrates a library, gallery, workshop space, and more. "Mediatheque" is a coined word combining "media" with "theque," which means a shelf or container in French, representing an open space where information and culture intersect.
It was designed by the world-renowned architect Toyo Ito. A major feature of the building is the structure called "tubes," which are exposed, screw-shaped white steel frames. Thirteen tubes of various sizes wind through each floor, serving as pillars. The highly flexible design is also highly acclaimed by architecture fans.
A relaxing spot in the city to enjoy the charm of Tohoku with all five senses
The first floor, which is an open public space, also houses a cafe and shop. At "Crepuscule Cafe," you can enjoy lunch and cafe menus, as well as authentic Belgian craft beer. "Kaneiri Museum Shop 6" is lined with items related to local culture and craft works created by Tohoku creators, making it a recommended spot for choosing souvenirs.The 3rd and 4th floors are the library, the 5th and 6th floors are galleries,and the 7th floor also has an open studio space and a theater.
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Be sure to also visit the "Wasuren! Archive Room," an exhibition by the "Center for Remembering 3.11," which independently shares the process of recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
- Sendai Mediatheque
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- 2-1 Kasuga-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station, approx. 7 minutes on foot from Kotodai-Koen Subway Station
- Approx. 10 minutes by Sendai City Bus from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Mediatheque-mae" stop
Approx. 55 minutes by Loople Sendai from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Mediatheque-mae" stop - The 4th Thursday of every month from January to November, December 29th to January 3rd
- Free
- 022-713-3171
- Paid (200 yen for up to 1 hour, 400 yen for up to 2 hours, 150 yen per 30 minutes thereafter)
4Jozenji-dori Avenue
Lined with zelkova trees where you can enjoy the scenery of each season
A symbolic road that seems to represent Sendai City, which is rich in nature and known as the "City of Trees." Along the approximately 700-meter road connecting the street in front of Sendai Station to Nishikoen-dori, there are about 160 trees in four rows.A row of zelkova trees continues along the street. In spring and summer, the fresh green leaves are lush and vibrant; in autumn, the leaves turn brilliant colors; and in December, the "SENDAI Pageant of Starlight" is held, attracting many visitors as the trees are illuminated in a warm orange glow by approximately 450,000 LEDs. There are also restaurants nearby where you can enjoy Sendai specialties, so it is highly recommended to stop by while admiring the beautiful scenery of the changing seasons.
A festival is also held where the entire city is enveloped in music
Along the promenade where the zelkova trees form a tunnel, there are three bronze statues by Italian sculptors, including "Summer Memories" by Emilio Greco. The scenery, where art and nature blend together, is so beautiful that you will find yourself reaching for your camera.
Every September, the "Jozenji Street Jazz Festival" is held. Street corners throughout Sendai, including Jozenji-dori Avenue, become stages where musicians from all over gather to play lively rhythms. Why not enjoy a stroll through Sendai while listening to the diverse music flowing from the street corners?
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Along Jozenji-dori Avenue, there are tourist spots like the "Sendai Mediatheque" and entrances to shopping arcades lined with various shops, making it easy to stop by while walking around the city or shopping.
- Jozenji-dori Avenue
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- Near Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City MAP
- Approx. 5 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 2 minutes on foot from Kotodai-Koen Subway Station - Approx. 13 minutes by Sendai City Bus from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Jozenji-dori Shiyakusho-mae"
Approx. 58 minutes by "Loople Sendai" loop bus from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Jozenji-dori Shiyakusho-mae"
- 022-222-2256 (Sendai City Transportation Bureau Information Center)
- None
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Kaoru YoshidaAlways full of smiles!
KAI Akiu
Akiu Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture
An inn nestled in Akiu Onsen, the inner parlor of Sendai. All rooms offer views of the mountain stream, which is particularly beautiful depending on the season.
Access 1-minute walk from the "KAI Akiu-mae" bus stop, accessible by local bus from JR Sendai Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥16,819