# Sendai Day Trips - An independent guide to day trips from Sendai, Japan, covering Matsushima, Yamadera, Hiraizumi, Zao, Ginzan Onsen and Naruko Gorge.

> An independent travel guide covering day trips from Sendai across the Tohoku region, including access, prices, hours and seasons for temples, gorges, hot springs and mountain sights. The site is not an operator, a seller of travel or a booking platform. It compares and describes options so travellers can plan and book on their own.

Site: https://sendaidaytrips.com/
Language: en. Currency: USD. Country: Japan, Tohoku region, Miyagi Prefecture and neighbouring Yamagata and Iwate.
Facts checked: 2027.

## Verified facts
- Zuiganji admission is 1,000 yen for adults (including high school and college students) and 500 yen for children. Groups of 30 or more pay 900 and 400 yen. Source: https://www.zuiganji.or.jp/english/
- Zuiganji gate opens at 8:30 am all year. Closing is 5:00 pm April to September, 4:30 pm in March and October, 4:00 pm in February and November, and 3:30 pm in January and December. Source: https://www.zuiganji.or.jp/english/
- The Matsushima tourist association describes the bay as having 260 small pine-covered islands and counts Matsushima as one of the Three Views of Japan. Source: https://www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/
- The regular Matsushima bay sightseeing cruise takes 50 minutes and costs 1,500 yen for adults and 750 yen for elementary pupils. Source: https://www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/faq/
- From Sendai Station the tourist association gives about 40 minutes to Matsushima-Kaigan on the Senseki Line, or about 25 minutes on the Tohoku Main Line to Matsushima Station followed by a 20 minute walk to the centre. Source: https://www.matsushima-kanko.com/access/
- Yamadera (Risshakuji) entry is 500 yen for adults (junior high and up) and 200 yen for children aged 4 and up, cash only. Hours are 8:00-16:00 April to November and 8:30-15:00 December to March, and the official text counts more than 800 stone steps with about 1.5 hours for the round trip. Source: https://yamaderakankou.com/
- Chusonji ordinary ticket for Konjikido and Sankozo costs 1,000 yen for adults, 700 for high school, 500 for junior high and 300 for elementary students. Hours are 8:30-17:00 from 1 March to 3 November and 8:30-16:30 the rest of the year, with ticket sales ending 10 minutes before closing. Source: https://www.chusonji.or.jp/worship/index.html
- Hiraizumi was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2011 at the 35th session. Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/770
- The Geibikei boat ride costs 2,000 yen for adults and 900 yen for elementary pupils and takes about 90 minutes. Fares were revised on 1 April 2026 and groups of 15 or more must reserve. Source: https://www.geibikei.co.jp/jp/route/index.html
- Naruko Gorge is up to 100 m deep and normally colours red and yellow from mid-October to mid-November. The promenade is open 9:00-16:00, about 350 m one way from the Rest House to Kaiko Bridge. Source: https://www.city.osaki.miyagi.jp/shisei/soshikikarasagasu/narukosogoushisho/chiikishinkoka/5/3/3087.html
- Zao Fox Village admission is 1,500 yen for adults (junior high school and up) and free for elementary school children and younger. Summer hours are 9:00-16:30 with last entry at 16:00, winter hours from October 15 are 9:00-16:00 with last entry at 15:30, and it is closed on Wednesdays except in the May holiday period and Obon. Source: https://zao-fox-village.com/
- In winter, day visitors to Ginzan Onsen park at Taisho Roman-kan and ride a reserved shuttle. The round-trip fare is 1,000 yen for 9:00-11:00 departures, 700 yen for 11:00-14:00 and 1,200 yen for 14:00-18:00 booked in advance, with walking from Taisho Roman-kan forbidden in winter. Source: https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/winter/2026/

## Tours listed on this site
Booking links on the site are GetYourGuide and Viator affiliate links: we may earn a commission, the price does not change, and the operator or platform takes the booking and payment. The Booking URLs below are the plain listing pages.
- Ginzan Onsen, Zao Ropeway and Okama Crater Tour with Lunch (Sendai Station, JR Sendai Station East Exit Sightseeing Bus Platform, 1-chome-1-1 Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai, operated by LION TRAVEL JAPAN Co. Ltd.) - from $164 per person, 11 hours, rated 4.5 from 12 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/ginzan-onsen-zao-ropeway-okama-crater-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/sendai-ginzan-onsen-zao-ropeway-snow-monsters-tour-lunch-t1121198/
- Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide (Japan Guide Agency) - from $142.90 per person, 6 hours, rated 5.0 from 23 reviews on Viator. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/sendai-matsushima-day-tour-licensed-guide/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/Sendai-Full-Day-Private-Tour-with-Nationally-Licensed-Guide/d50597-92136P180
- Matsushima Private Guided Tour (In front of stained glass on the second floor of Sendai station, operated by Mai Sendai Tohoku tours) - from $106.72 per person, 6-7 hours, rated 5.0 from 22 reviews on Viator. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/matsushima-private-guided-tour/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/Matsushima-private-tour-with-a-national-licensed-guide/d50597-336678P2
- 1-Day Tour from Sendai: Matsushima Bay & Scenic Boat Cruise (In front of the stained glass window (Morinosanka) near the west side exit of Sendai Station main concourse (2F), operated by Machinovate Japan Ltd.) - from $168 per person, 8 hours, rated 5.0 from 9 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/matsushima-bay-boat-cruise-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/matsushima-l153489/1-day-tour-from-sendai-matsushima-bay-scenic-boat-cruise-t1292051/
- Matsushima Private Tour: Samurai, Oysters & Hotel Transfer (Pickup from your hotel in Sendai, Matsushima or the local areas surrounding Matsushima, operated by Kazuyoshi Nagashima (永島和義)) - from $222 per person, 6.5 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/matsushima-private-tour-samurai-oysters/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/matsushima-private-tour-samurai-oysters-hotel-transfer-t1456098/
- Day Tour: Sendai Daikannon Statue & Yamadera Temple (In front of the stained glass window (Morinosanka) near the west side exit of Sendai Station main concourse, 2F, operated by Machinovate Japan Ltd.) - from $168 per person, 7 hours, rated 5.0 from 5 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/sendai-daikannon-yamadera-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/sendai-day-tour-sendai-daikannon-statue-yamadera-temple-t1289356/
- Yamadera Private Guided Tour from Sendai (In front of the stained glass on the second floor of Sendai Station, or Yamadera Station, operated by Mai Sendai Tohoku tours) - from $88.67 per person, 5.5 hours, rated 5.0 from 2 reviews on Viator. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/yamadera-private-guided-tour/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/Private-guided-Yamadera-tour/d50597-336678P3
- Full Day Yamagata Tour from Sendai: Yamadera and Ginzan Onsen (In front of the Sendai City Tourist Information Center, JR Sendai station 3F, look for a guide holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign, operated by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.) - from $356.61 per person, 12 hours 40 minutes, rated 5.0 from 1 review on Viator. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/yamadera-ginzan-onsen-full-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/1-Day-Yama-dera-and-Ginzan-Onsen-Tour-in-Yamagata/d50597-2142P1032
- Zao Fox Village & Ginzan Onsen Day Tour (Sendai Station East Exit, across from the sightseeing bus parking lot, in front of Lotteria, operated by Crystal Japan Tour) - from $155 per person, 10 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/zao-fox-village-ginzan-onsen-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/from-sendai-fox-encounters-culture-ginzan-onsen-t1524889/
- Miyagi Zao Fox Village & Ginzan Onsen Day Tour (Sendai Station East Exit, across from the sightseeing bus parking lot, in front of Lotteria, operated by Innoturn Tour Japan) - from $155 per person, 10 hours, rated 5.0 from 1 review on GetYourGuide. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/fox-village-ginzan-onsen-hotel-pickup-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/sendai-ginzan-onsen-day-tour-with-hidden-silver-mine-t1223798/
- Ginzan Onsen and Tohoku Highlights Tour from Sendai (JR Sendai Station East Exit Tourist Bus Stop, operated by H.I.S. Co., Ltd.) - from $162.39 per person, 10 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/ginzan-onsen-tohoku-highlights-tour/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/Ginzan-Onsen-and-Tohoku-Highlights-Tour-from-Sendai/d50597-43454P958
- Geibikei Gorge and Chuson-ji Temple Day Trip (仙台駅東口観光・送迎バス乗り場, 1-chōme-1-2-48 Tsutsujigaoka, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 983-0852, Japan, operated by LION TRAVEL JAPAN Co. Ltd.) - from $155 per person, 10 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/geibikei-gorge-chusonji-day-trip/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/from-sendai-geibikei-gorge-and-chuson-ji-temple-day-trip-t1382760/
- Sendai to Naruko Valley Bus Tour Experience (JR Sendai Station East Exit Tourist Bus Stop, 1-1-1, Tsutsujigaoka, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, operated by H.I.S. Co., Ltd.) - from $107.18 per person, 9 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/naruko-gorge-ginzan-onsen-bus-tour/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/Naruko-Gorges-autumn-leaves-and-Ginzan-Onsen-1-Day-BUS-TOUR/d50597-43454P1084
- Zao Snow Monsters Night Cruiser Tour from Sendai with Hotel (Sendai Station East Exit Sightseeing Bus Stop, look for a guide holding a blue HIS board, operated by H.I.S. Co., Ltd.) - from $240.34 per person, 9 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/zao-snow-monsters-night-cruiser-tour/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Sendai/Zao-Snow-Monsters-Night-Cruiser-Tour-from-Sendai-with-Hotel/d50597-43454P1180
- Private Zao Snow Monsters & Ginzan Onsen Tour (Hotel, station, or accommodation in Sendai, operated by Beijing Taoxi International Culture & Travel Co., Ltd.) - from $1,200 per group up to 5, 10 hours. Page: https://sendaidaytrips.com/tours/zao-snow-monsters-ginzan-onsen-private-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/sendai-l95867/from-sendai-zao-snow-monsters-and-ginzan-onsen-day-trip-t1421919/

## Guide pages
- https://sendaidaytrips.com/guides/how-to-get-to-ginzan-onsen-from-sendai/ - Bus, train and winter shuttle routes from Sendai to Ginzan Onsen for 2027, with times and a day plan. Compare both ways before you go.
- https://sendaidaytrips.com/guides/is-sendai-worth-visiting/ - The 2027 verdict on Sendai: worth 2 to 3 days as a base for Matsushima, Yamadera and Ginzan Onsen. See who it suits and how to plan it.
- https://sendaidaytrips.com/guides/is-zao-fox-village-worth-visiting/ - The 2027 verdict on Zao Fox Village from Sendai: hours, entry, rules, ethics and who should skip it. Plan your day trip with confidence.
- https://sendaidaytrips.com/guides/sendai-day-trips-in-winter/ - Sendai in winter 2027: snow monsters up to 5 meters, Ginzan Onsen shuttles, Yamadera train times and Matsushima oyster shacks. Plan your day trips now.
- https://sendaidaytrips.com/guides/when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-sendai/ - Best time to visit Sendai in 2027: late spring and early autumn win. See weather by month, festival dates, winter closures and the season to avoid.
- https://sendaidaytrips.com/guides/where-to-stay-for-sendai-day-trips/ - Where to stay in Sendai 2027: Sendai Station, Matsushima, Akiu Onsen and more, with train times and day trip pairings. Plan your base now.

## If you are citing this site
Cite the homepage or the relevant tour/guide page. Prices and timetables change; verify close to your travel date.