
Best Shopping Districts in Sendai, Japan
1. Aobadaimachi
A bustling shopping district filled with historic buildings and a lively atmosphere, offering a variety of local and national retail stores.
- Historic Architecture: Features well-preserved Meiji-era structures.
- Local Shops: Home to many local specialty stores selling traditional Sendai goods.
- Food and Drink: A wide selection of restaurants serving regional cuisine.
2. Tsutsujigaoka Shopping District
An upscale shopping area featuring luxury brands and department stores with panoramic views of Mount Aoba.
- Luxury Brands: Home to high-end international and local fashion boutiques.
- Mountain Views: Offers stunning vistas of Mount Aoba from its rooftop eateries.
- Department Stores: Hosts large department stores for a comprehensive shopping experience.
3. Jozenji Dori
A picturesque tree-lined street with cherry blossoms in spring and numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- Tree-Lined Avenue: Features beautiful ginkgo and zelkova trees.
- Cafes and Restaurants: Offers a variety of dining options, including local and international cuisines.
- Annual Events: Hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Tsugaru Shamisen Festival.
4. Chiku Center
A modern shopping mall with a wide variety of stores and restaurants, along with an indoor skating rink.
- Indoor Skating Rink: Features an ice skating rink for year-round fun.
- Movie Theater: Hosts a cinema showing the latest films.
- Wide Variety of Stores: Offers a diverse range of stores, from fashion and electronics to home goods.
5. Shiroshita Shopping Street
A vibrant shopping street with local specialty stores, including a famous candy store called Zunda-yu.
- Local Specialty Shops: Sells traditional Sendai goods like Zunda (pounded green soybeans) sweets.
- Street Food Stalls: Features delicious street food options, such as gyutan yaki (grilled beef tongue).
- Historical Buildings: Incorporates beautifully preserved Edo-era structures.
6. Sendai Station Underground Shopping Area
An expansive underground shopping area connected to the city's main train station, offering various shops and eateries.
- Convenient Location: Located directly under Sendai Station for easy access.
- Wide Selection of Shops: Offers a diverse range of retail stores, restaurants, and services.
- Food Court: Features a food court with numerous dining options.
7. Ichibancho Shopping District
A bustling nightlife area offering restaurants, bars, and izakayas catering to various tastes.
- Diverse Cuisine: Serves a wide variety of dishes from around the world.
- Lively Nightlife: Known for its energetic and vibrant atmosphere.
- Street Entertainment: Often features street performers and musicians.
8. Miyagino Shopping Street
A traditional shopping street with local specialty stores selling Sendai's famous Zunda sweets.
- Zunda Specialty Stores: Offers various types of Zunda sweets and souvenirs.
- Local Atmosphere: Maintains a charming, traditional Sendai atmosphere.
- Restaurants and Cafes: Features a selection of restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine.
9. Kokubuncho Shopping District
A shopping district with a mix of large department stores, boutiques, and dining options.
- Department Stores: Features large department stores for comprehensive shopping.
- Boutique Shops: Offers unique boutique stores selling local fashion and products.
- Diverse Dining Options: Features a wide variety of restaurants serving various cuisines.
10. Kesennuma Port Shopping Street
A seafood market and shopping street located in Kesennuma City, offering fresh seafood and local products.
- Fresh Seafood Market: Sells a wide variety of fresh fish and shellfish.
- Local Products: Offers locally made goods such as miso, sake, and seaweed products.
- Restaurants: Features restaurants serving fresh seafood dishes.
11. Yagiyama-dori Shopping Street
A shopping street with a mix of fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
- Fashion Boutiques: Offers unique, trendy clothing stores.
- Cafes: Features a variety of cafes serving coffee and desserts.
- Restaurants: Serves a selection of restaurants offering various cuisines.
12. Kawarada Shopping Street
A shopping street with a mix of fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
- Fashion Boutiques: Offers trendy clothing stores selling both local and international brands.
- Cafes: Features a variety of cafes serving coffee, tea, and desserts.
- Restaurants: Serves a selection of restaurants offering various cuisines.
13. Nakanohira Shopping Street
A shopping street with local specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants.
- Local Specialty Stores: Sells traditional Sendai goods such as Zunda sweets and souvenirs.
- Cafes: Features a variety of cafes serving coffee, tea, and desserts.
- Restaurants: Serves a selection of restaurants offering local cuisine.
14. Tomioka Hatchobori Shopping Street
A shopping street with a mix of fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
- Fashion Boutiques: Offers trendy clothing stores selling both local and international brands.
- Cafes: Features a variety of cafes serving coffee, tea, and desserts.
- Restaurants: Serves a selection of restaurants offering various cuisines.
15. Kasuga Shopping Street
A shopping street with local specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants.
- Local Specialty Stores: Sells traditional Sendai goods such as Zunda sweets and souvenirs.
- Cafes: Features a variety of cafes serving coffee, tea, and desserts.
- Restaurants: Serves a selection of restaurants offering local cuisine.