Sendai Airport Access Guide: Getting to Tohoku’s Tourist Attractions By Train, Bus, and More

What is Sendai Airport Like?

Sendai Airport is located in Miyagi Prefecture, straddling Natori City and Iwanuma City. It stands as the largest airport in the area, and acts as an indispensable tourist base for the entire region. As such, it offers a full range of convenient services for both domestic and international travelers alike.

The number of international flights is increasing by the year. The Taipei route runs daily, the Seoul route runs on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and the Dalian and Beijing routes run on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Getting from Sendai Airport to Sendai City

Below is a list of transportation options to get you from Sendai Airport to Sendai City, the primary tourist hub of Miyagi Prefecture. JR Sendai Station, located in the heart of the city, serves as a key point of access for Miyagi Prefecture and other areas of the Tohoku Region.

1. By Train from Sendai Airport to Sendai

The easiest way to get to Sendai City is by train. It’s more punctual than other modes of transportation, and with a direct route from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station (via the Sendai Airport Access Line), you don’t even have to worry about transfers.

Getting there:
First, ride the Sendai Airport Access Line to Sendai Airport Station, which is directly connected to the Sendai Airport Terminal Building 2F. Use the ticket vending machine and purchase a ticket to JR Sendai Station. Ticket machines are available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.

Time required:
25 minutes by regular train; 17 minutes by rapid train

Cost:
A one-way trip to JR Sendai Station costs 660 yen for adults and 330 yen for children (6-12 years). Children under 6 ride (up to two per adult; third child requires a child ticket).

2. By Bus from Sendai Airport to Sendai

If you have a large amount of luggage, one convenient option is the Sendai Airport Limousine Bus. Currently, limousine buses to JR Sendai Station operate four days a week (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays) at a frequency of four times a day.

However, note that delays may arise due to traffic conditions. Also, with no reservation system in place, passengers are boarded on in a first-come-first-serve basis at the bus stop, so you may be unable to ride once it reaches capacity. For that reason, we recommend this option for those who have time to spare.

Getting there:
First, purchase a ticket at the Tohoku Tourist Information Center on Sendai Airport 1F. Head to local Bus Stop No. 2, located past Exits 3 and 4 on the first floor, and make sure to give yourself plenty of time to spare before departure time.

Time required:
Approximately 35 minutes to Sendai Station East Exit, or 45 minutes to Sendai Station West Exit.

Cost:
One-way trip to both Sendai Station East Exit and West Exit: 660 yen for adults / 330 yen for children (under 6-12 years).

3. By Rental Car

For those who wish for hassle-free sightseeing, not bound by time restrictions, we recommend renting a car. Reservations can be made in advance for an even smoother process.

Getting there:
Complete the necessary procedures at the rental car service counter on the first floor of Sendai Airport. After this, ride the courtesy car from the airport to the rental shop.

Cost:
A 4-5 passenger car averages about 8,000-13,000 yen for 24 hours of use.
Minivans and wagons with 6-8 passenger seating average about 13,000-22,000 yen per 24-hour period.

Special Discount（Nippon Rent-A-Car）

Get 10% off when you book via the special site. （Coupon code：iUzM2RfVlJ）

Getting to Popular Sendai Attractions

1. Matsushima

Matsushima is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, and a popular attraction visited by tourists from Japan and abroad. Access from Sendai Airport is as follows:

Getting there:
First, ride Sendai Airport Access Line from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station. From there, transfer to the JR Senseki Line and ride to JR Matsushima-kaigan Station.

Time required:
Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
25 minutes regular train / 17 minutes rapid

From JR Sendai Station to JR Matsushima-kaigan Station:
Approx. 40 minutes.

Cost:
One-Way: 1,010 yen

2. Sendai Castle Ruins

The Sendai Castle Ruins is the former site of the Sendai Clan’s castle, known for its statue of Lord Date Masamune mounted on his horse. Access is as follows:

Take the Sendai Airport Access Line from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station. Go to Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal, Platform 16, and board the Loople Sendai Sightseeing Bus. Get off at Sendai Castle Ruins bus stop.

When riding the Loople Sendai, be aware that the fare is paid after you arrive (as you get off the bus). It’s advisable to purchase an IC card or exchange money in exact fare in advance, as fares can only be paid in either of those two options. You can also purchase a special one-day Loople Sendai ticket at the information desk at the Sendai Station West Exit bus terminal or at the Michinoku Tourist Information section on the first floor of Sendai Airport.

Time required:
From Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
25 minutes regular train / 17 minutes rapid

From Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal 16 to Sendai Castle Ruins Bus Stop:
26 minutes

Cost:
One-way trip to JR Sendai Station: 660 yen for adults / 330 yen for children (6-12 years).
Loople Sendai fare: 260 yen for adults /130 yen for children (1-12 years)

3. Akiu Onsen

Akiu Onsen is a hot spring resort in Sendai. Access is as follows:

Getting there:
First, take Sendai Airport Access Line from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station. Once there, head to Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal No. 8 and board Miyagi Kotsu Bus bound for Akiu Onsen. Get off at Akiu Onsen Yumoto bus stop.

Time required:
From Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
25 min / 17 min rapid
From Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal 8 to Akiu Onsen Yumoto Bus Stop:
56 min

Cost:
To JR Sendai Station (one-way):
660 yen for adults / 330 yen for children (6-12 years)

Miyagi Kotsu Bus fare: 860 yen

4. Zuihouden

Zuihouden is said to enshrine Date Masamune, the first lord of Sendai. Access is as follows:

Getting there:
Take the Sendai Airport Access Line from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station. From there, head to Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal, Platform 16, and board the Loople Sendai sightseeing bus. Ride to Zuihouden-mae bus stop, and walk for 7 minutes.

Time required:
From Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
25 min / 17 min rapid
From Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal 16 to Zuihouden-mae Bus Stop:
13 minutes

Cost:
To JR Sendai Station (one-way):
660 yen for adults / 330 yen for children (6-12 years)
Loople Sendai train fare:
260 yen for adults / 130 yen for children (1-12 years)

5. Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port

The smoothest way to get to Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port, a shopping facility where you can buy clothes and miscellaneous goods at great prices, is by car. Here are two ways to access the park, by car and by train.

Getting there:
By Railway:
First, ride Sendai Airport Access Line from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station. From there, transfer to the JR Senseki Line and ride to JR Nakanosakae Station. It’s about 8 minutes on foot.

By Car:
Take the Sendai-Tobu Road Natori IC to Sendai Port IC. As an alternative, take Prefectural Route 129 to Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port.

Time required:
By Railway:
From Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
25 min / 17 min rapid
From Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal 50 to Outlet Sendai Port Bus Stop:
Approx. 40 min.

By Car:
Approx. 22 min. via Sendai-Tobu Road; 30 min. otherwise.

Cost:
Railway (One-Way): 840 yen

Car:
Via Sendai-Tobu Road
(Highway fare: 420 yen)

Access to other prefectures in Tohoku

1. From Sendai Airport to Aomori

By Rail:
By regular train (Sendai Airport Access Line) from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
Approx. 25 min
By JR Tohoku Shinkansen from JR Sendai Station to JR Shin-Aomori Station:
Approx. 1 hr 35 min
(Approx. cost: 11,880 yen)

By Bus:
By Highway Bus from Sendai Station to Aomori Station:
Approx. 5 hrs
Approx. cost: 6,200 yen

By Car:
By expressway between Natori IC and Aomori IC:
Approx. 4 hr 25 min
(Expressway fare: 8,370 yen)

2. From Sendai Airport to Akita

By Rail:
By regular train (Sendai Airport Access Line) from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
Approx. 25 min
By JR Tohoku Shinkansen from JR Sendai Station to JR Akita Station:
Approx. 2 hr 15 min
(Approx. cost: 10,920 yen)

By Bus:
By Highway Bus from Sendai Station to Akita Station (East Exit):
Approx. 3 hrs 35 min
(Approx: cost: 4,500 yen)

By car:
Via expressway between Natori IC and Akita Chuo IC:
Approx. 3 hrs 15 min
(Expressway fare: 6,400 yen)

3. From Sendai Airport to Iwate

By rail:
By regular train (Sendai Airport Access Line) from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
Approx. 25 min
By JR Tohoku Shinkansen from JR Sendai Station to JR Morioka Station:
39 min
(Approx. cost: 7,250 yen)

By bus:
By Highway Bus from Sendai Station to Morioka Station (West Exit):
Approx. 2 hrs and 20 min
(Approx. cost: 3,300 yen)

By car:
By expressway between Natori IC and Morioka Minami IC:
Approx. 2 hrs 26 min
(Expressway fare: 5,040 yen)

4. From Sendai Airport to Yamagata

By rail:
By regular train (Sendai Airport Access Line) from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
Approx. 25 min
By JR Senzan Line from JR Sendai Station to JR Yamagata Station:
Approx. 1 hr and 30 min
(Approx. cost: 1,760 yen)

By bus:
By Highway Bus Sendai Ekimae to Yamagata Ekimae:
Approx. 1 hr 7 min
(Approx. cost: 1,000 yen)

By car:
By expressway between Natori IC and Yamagata Zao IC:
Approx. 1 hr 9 min
(Expressway fare: 2,090 yen)

4. From Sendai Airport to Fukushima

By rail:
By regular train (Sendai Airport Access Line) from Sendai Airport Station to JR Sendai Station:
Approx. 25 min
By JR Tohoku Shinkansen from JR Sendai Station to JR Fukushima Station:
Approx. 25 min
(Approx. cost: 3,810 yen)

By bus:
By Highway Bus from Sendai Station to Fukushima Station (East Exit):
Approx. 1 hr 22 min
(Approx. 1,300 yen)

By car:
By expressway between Natori IC and Fukushima-Iizaka IC:
Approx. 1 hr 20 min
(Expressway fare: 2,420 yen)

Types of Transport Available at Sendai Airport

1. Taking the Train

As you exit the International Arrivals gate, you’ll see Exit 4 straight ahead. Continue to the right through the airport until you come to the escalator on the left side. Head to the second floor.

On the second floor, continue straight ahead until you reach the connecting bridge to Sendai Airport Station on your left.

Go through the connecting bridge, and turn right at the end. There you’ll find the Sendai Airport Station ticket gate.

2. Taking the Bus

The bus stops are located just past Exit 4 in front of the International Arrivals Gate. Platforms 1-3 are on your right.

For the Sendai Airport Limousine Bus, you can purchase advance tickets at the Michinoku Tourist Information on Sendai Airport 1F. The Michinoku Tourist Information area is located just past the International Arrivals Gate on the right side of the building.

3. Taking a Cab

As with the buses, the taxi stand is located just past Exit 4 to the right. Some cabs also accept credit cards and electronic money. So if you have money to spare and prefer a more convenient mode of transportation, you may want to take a cab.

4. Renting a Car

Car rental shops are scattered throughout the vicinity of the airport, with the rental car service counter on the first floor as the main contact point. It’s located just to the right past the international arrival gate. For information on the services and fees, please refer to the section on Rental Cars above.

Easy transportation is essential for a smooth trip. So be sure to check the information carefully in advance, and have a wonderful time on your Japan journey!

Text by: Shoe Press

*Information in article as of July 2023. Please see official websites for the latest updates & information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki