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Did you know that even first-time visitors to Sendai can easily enjoy the whole city? The answer is to use the Loople Sendai. Loople Sendai is a circular bus that connects tourist spots in the center of Sendai. You can enjoy the view of one of Japan's most beautiful urban areas, get off at your favorite tourist spot, or discover new Sendai sights you've never known before. How you enjoy it is up to you!
This time, we will introduce how to enjoy Sendai using Loople Sendai
What is Loople Sendai?
Loople Sendai is a route bus that circulates around the city's tourist spots and began operation on May 13, 1999, as a joint venture between the Sendai City Economic Bureau and the Sendai City Transportation Bureau. Operated not on regular route buses but on special vehicles that look like retro streetcars, Loople Sendai also serves as an accent that enhances Sendai's beautiful cityscape. Many people seem to take photos of the vehicles and the special bus stops and upload them to social media. However, be aware that during busy periods such as August, the route operates on regular route buses with banners affixed to them.
The Loop Sendai starts from Sendai Station and travels clockwise for about 70 minutes, connecting the city center with tourist spots in the Aobayama area. During special runs such as Tanabata and the Sendai Pageant of Starry Sky, the train starts from Sendai Station and continues to the event venue.
The service departs from Sendai Station from 9:00 to 16:00. On weekdays, it operates every 20 minutes (22 buses per day), but on weekends, holidays, and during the summer vacation, it operates every 15 minutes (29 buses per day) throughout August, when it is busiest.
Great ways to enjoy Loople Sendai
The fare for each ride on the Loople Sendai is 260 yen (130 yen for children). If you go to your destination and return, it costs 520 yen. If you get off at two locations, it costs 780 yen, so the fare gets more expensive each time you visit.
In such cases, it's best to purchase a one-day pass. A one-day pass for the Loople Sendai is 620 yen (310 yen for children), so if you get off at two stations, you can make up for the cost. There is also a one-day pass that can be used with the subway, which costs 900 yen (450 yen for children).
What's more, when you purchase this one-day pass, you will receive the following benefits!
One-day pass purchase benefits
Sendai Station bus stop
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai: 5% discount on food and beverage charges
Hotel Monterey Sendai: 5% discount on food and beverage charges
Aoba-dori Ichibancho Station bus stop
DATE BIKE Service Station: 200 yen discount on a one-day bicycle rental pass
Westin Hotel Sendai: 5% off food and beverage charges
Bansui Sodo bus stop
Sendai City War Damage Reconstruction Memorial Hall: Exhibition room admission fee, group rate applies
Zuihoden-mae bus stop
Otama Chaya: Miyagi's local cuisine, a set of zunda mochi and okuzukake, 1,180 yen → 1,100 yen
Zuihoden: Admission fee: 100 yen discount for adults and university students, 50 yen discount for high school students, elementary school students and junior high school students
Museum/International Center bus stop
Sendai City Museum: Permanent exhibition admission fee, group rate applies
Sendai Castle Ruins Bus Stop
Japanese Cuisine Sendai: 100 yen off food and drink
Aoba Castle Museum: Admission fee: 200 yen discount for junior high school students and above, 100 yen discount for elementary school students
International Center Station/Miyagi Museum of Art bus stop, Second High School/Miyagi Museum of Art bus stop
Miyagi Museum of Art: Group admission fee for permanent exhibition or 100 yen discount on special exhibition admission fee
Osaki Hachimangu Shrine bus stop
Osaki Hachiman Shrine: Free postcard
Benefits of purchasing a one-day pass that can be used with the subway
If you purchase a one-day pass that can be used with the subway, you will receive additional purchase benefits in addition to the benefits of the Loople One-Day Pass
Facilities near the Tozai Subway Line
Selco Home Zoo Paradise Yagiyama: Admission fee and group rates apply
Sendai City History and Folklore Museum: Admission fee, group rate applies
Facilities near the Namboku Subway Line
Underground Forest Museum: Admission fee, group rate applies
Sendai Literature Museum: Admission fee and group rate apply
3M Sendai Science Museum: Admission fee, group rate applies
Facilities accessible by Sendai City Bus
Sendai City Wildflower Garden: Admission fee, group rate applies
Where can I buy a one-day pass?
Loople Sendai one-day passes can be purchased at various facilities, including the Sendai Station West Exit Bus Pool Information Center. In the worst case scenario, they may also be sold on board the Loople Sendai bus, but as numbers are limited, we recommend purchasing them at a sales facility whenever possible.
In addition, one-day passes that can be used with the subway are also sold at ticket counters at stations on the Tozai and Namboku subway lines, making them convenient for those using the subway.
A thin-haired writer who loves traveling and laughter. A nice guy who hides thinning hair by shaving his hair! I will run north and south to make Tohoku smile with my writing!
