What to do in Sendai when it rains
The weather needn't spoil Sendai. Its galleries, museums and indoor markets are at their best on a grey day, with cafés on every corner.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Japan, 〒983-0817 Miyagi, Sendai, Miyagino Ward, Odawarayamamotochō, １０１−１４
- Sendai City Museum 26 Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan
- HOKUSHU Sendai City Science Museum 4-1 Dainoharashinrinkōen, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-0903, Japan
- Aoba Castle Honmaru Hall (Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine Event Venue) 1 Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan
- War Reconstruction and Memorial Hall 2-chōme-12-1 Ōmachi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0804, Japan
- Museum of Natural History, Tohoku University Aoba-6-3 Aramaki, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Satomi Kiln 6-chōme-13-5 Dainohara, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-0911, Japan
- TFU Gallery 2-chōme-5-26 Tsutsujigaoka, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 983-8511, Japan
- SARP 仙台アーティストランプレイス Japan, 〒980-0012 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Nishikichō, 1-chōme−12−７ 門脇ビル
- ｇａｌｅｒｉｅ ａｒｂｒｅ 1-chōme-11-27 Ichibanchō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0811, Japan
- TURNAROUND Japan, 〒980-0805 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Ōtemachi, 6−２２ ｃａｆｅ＆ｇａｌｌｅｒｙ ＨＡＮＧＡＲＯＵＮＤ 久光ビル１階
- Bansui Gallery 1-chōme-8-14 Kokubunchō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0803, Japan
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Zuihōden (Mausoleum of Date Masamune) 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0814, Japan
- Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins) Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan
- Equestrian Statue of Date Masamune Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan
- Sendai Castle Honmaru Ruins Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan
- Bansuisodo 1-chōme-2-2 Ōmachi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0804, Japan
- Sendai Castle Otemon Side Turret Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0862, Japan
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Sendai Asaichi Japan, 〒980-0021 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Chūō, 3-chōme−8−５ 3F318号室
- Don Quijote Sendaieki Nishiguchi Honten 1-chōme-8-20 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan
- Don Quijote Bansui-dori 15-17 Tachimachi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0822, Japan
- MEGA Don Quijote Sendai Dainohara 1-chōme-7-40 Dainohara, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-0911, Japan
- ORIHICA イオンモール仙台上杉店 Japan, 〒981-0914 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Tsutsumidōriamamiyamachi, 1−１ イオンモール仙台上杉 2F
- HYSTERIC GLAMOUR 2-chōme-7-11 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- TOHO Cinemas Sendai Japan, 〒980-8450 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Chūō, 3-chōme−7−５ 仙台パルコ２ ６Ｆ
- Cafe Aoyama Bunko Japan, 〒980-0021 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Chūō, 2-chōme−1−２７ Ｅｖｅｒ－ｉ中央 5F
- HEY Japan, 〒980-0812 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Katahira, 1-chōme−1−１１ 1F
- McDonald's Sendai Station East Exit Branch Japan, 〒983-0852 Miyagi, Sendai, Miyagino Ward, Tsutsujigaoka, 2-chōme−1−２５ ＢｉＶｉ仙台駅東口 １階
- Itagaki Main Shop (Fruit and Sweets) Japan, 〒983-0862 Miyagi, Sendai, Miyagino Ward, Nijūninmachi, ３００−１
- ベーカリー＆カフェ BABEL858 Japan, 〒980-0814 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Otamayashita, 10−２７ ロジェあいはら
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- AEONMALL SENDAI KAMISUGI 1-1 Tsutsumidōriamamiyamachi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-0914, Japan
- PARCO Sendai 1-chōme-2-3 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8484, Japan
- AER 1-chōme-3-1 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan
- TOHO Cinemas Sendai Japan, 〒980-8450 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Chūō, 3-chōme−7−５ 仙台パルコ２ ６Ｆ
- S-PAL Sendai - Main Building 1-chōme-1-1 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan
- EBeanS 4-chōme-1-1 Chūō, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021, Japan
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.