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Food & drink · Sendai

Top 10 food & drink things to do in Sendai

Sendai on a fork. Walking food tours through the markets, cooking classes with local chefs, tasting flights at the bars worth your time, and a couple of long lunches that double as the day's plan.

  1. Miyagi Sendai Private Tour: Lacquering Experience & Sake Brewery, Sendai1

    1. Miyagi Sendai Private Tour: Lacquering Experience & Sake Brewery

    · 7 hours

    Discover the spirit of Sendai on an immersive afternoon journey blending craft, culture, and tradition. Begin at Jogi Nyorai Saiho‑ji Temple, a serene mountainside sanctuary known for blessings of harmony and good fortune. Enjoy free time to explore and try local favorites such as sankaku‑age or miso‑grilled rice balls. Continue to Kumanodo, where artisans guide you in lacquering your own chopsticks using techniques rooted in Sendai’s historic tansu craftsmanship—your finished piece will be delivered within Japan. Conclude with a rare insider visit to Nakayu Sake Brewery, operating since 1906, to learn the art of sake making and taste distinctive brews not usually accessible to the public. With private transport and an English‑speaking guide throughout, this tour offers a deeper connection to Miyagi’s traditions and the people who preserve them.

  2. Enjoy the sake and food! “Terrorism” Akiu Course, Sendai2

    2. Enjoy the sake and food! “Terrorism” Akiu Course

    · 3 hours

    A delicious and exhilarating course that traces the richness of Akio's food culture with the theme of “terroir”, which combines terroir (climate, climate, and people's activities) and mariage (pairing of food and alcohol). At the end of the tour is a special course lunch of the chef ♪

  3. Matsushima Private Guided Tour, Sendai3

    3. Matsushima Private Guided Tour

    5.0· 19 reviews

    I'm Mai, a national licensed tour guide who grew up this region. Let’s enjoy the beauty of Matsushima, see historical places, enjoy local food with a knowledgeable guide!!!! Matsushima is one of Japan's three best scenic places! The bay is famous for about 260 small island covered with pine trees. Matsushima also has been a place of worship, holy and spiritual place. Many temples there has hundreds of years history. You can discover Matsushima more and get recommendation from your guide. the bay around this area is know for having the best seafood in Japan. and Matsushima has many street food. so you can enjoy local food in this tour! this tour stars from sendai and we take a local train to Matsushima (if you stay in Matsushima, we can start the tour Matsushima). Matsushima is a small city so we visit all attractions on foot. in the end we take a local train and go back to Sendai. this tour is private so i can arrange it according to your preferences,

  1. Private Bar-hop tour at back alleys in Sendai, Sendai4

    4. Private Bar-hop tour at back alleys in Sendai

    5.0· 10 reviews· 4 hours

    Experience nightlife places like locals! I'm Mai, a national licensed guide. who is friendly and knowledgeable about this region. I will show you Japanese drinking culture! It’s authentic local experience. There are small bars and izakaya only locals visit in back alleys in Sendai. I will take you to three bars at unique back alleys. I can choose bars depend on your preference like best place for sake, whiskey, local food, meeting locals.. Let’s see how Japanese people enjoy in the night. And I will provide some great conversation and company! It would be nice to discuss many topics over a cup of sake!

  2. Tour of Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery & Tasting by Taxi, Sendai5

    5. Tour of Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery & Tasting by Taxi

    5.0· 2 reviews· 5 hours

    Enjoy a whisky tasting at Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distiller and great experience to get up close with the entire whisky production process. This tour is you can truly enjoy the full of whisky. Enjoy shopping at Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Museum Conveniently depart from Sendai Station. On the way to the distillery, stop by Osaki Hachimangu, a national treasure.

  3. Sendai Private Vehicle Service with Restaurant Reservation, Sendai6

    6. Sendai Private Vehicle Service with Restaurant Reservation

    5.0· 2 reviews· 8 hours

    Discover Sendai (located in Miyagi Prefecture) in comfort and style with a private chartered vehicle tour designed just for you. Whether you’re interested in exploring cultural landmarks, browsing vibrant local markets, or venturing off the beaten path, you can create a fully customized itinerary that suits your pace and interests. For added convenience, take advantage of our optional restaurant reservation service (securing a table at a locally recommended dining spot) tailored to your taste.

  4. Making Zunda-mochi Experience, Japanese's mother cooking class, Sendai7

    7. Making Zunda-mochi Experience, Japanese's mother cooking class

    5.0· 1 reviews· 3 hours

    In Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku region. This tour provided the experience of cooking Zenda-mochi class at local mother's home.

  5. Matsushima Sightseeing Tour with Guided Tour, Sendai8

    8. Matsushima Sightseeing Tour with Guided Tour

    5.0· 1 reviews· 7 hours

    In this tour, you can take a tour around Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. Matsushima is easily accessible from Sendai and Ishinomaki areas, and is a popular cruise port of call tour. In Matsushima, there are many spots where you can enjoy the rich natural scenery as well as history and culture at a leisurely pace, such as Fukuurajima Island, where you can cross a bridge along the sea to enjoy a stroll, and Entsuji Temple, famous for its Japanese garden. The area is also famous for its abundance of gourmet foods, especially oysters. Please enjoy the scenery that has been popular in Japan for a long time with a local guide!

  6. Local Foodie Tour in Sendai, wander around the gourmet town, Sendai9

    9. Local Foodie Tour in Sendai, wander around the gourmet town

    5.0· 1 reviews· 3 hours

    Join us on a walking foodie tour in Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), the largest city in Tohoku region. Sendai is renowned for its diverse culinary offerings, featuring a wide variety of delicious local dishes such as Gyutan (grilled beef tongue), Zunda (sweetened edamame paste), and fresh seafood from the nearby coast. Let's take a stroll around Sendai and savor the delicious local cuisine! Be sure to skip the breakfast, we'll stop at least 5 shops or restaurants to full your belly. We have several lunch options to cater to your preferences.

  7. Yamadera Private Guided Tour from Sendai, Sendai10

    10. Yamadera Private Guided Tour from Sendai

    5.0· 1 reviews· 5.5 hours

    I’m Mai, a nationally licensed tour guide with lots of experience in the Tohoku region. Yamadera is a beautiful temple complex on a mountainside, famous for its breathtaking views from the top. But Yamadera is not only about climbing steps and enjoying the scenery. When you explore Yamadera with me, you’ll discover the hidden stories, long history, and spiritual meanings behind each place. This makes the temple more attractive and your trip much more memorable. The tour starts from Sendai, taking a local train ride to Yamadera. After climbing to the temple, you’ll also get to enjoy delicious local food. If you like hiking, I can also introduce you to longer trails around Yamadera that many tourists don’t know. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to know depth of Japanese culture with a local expert.

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