This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Do you know an easy way for even first-time visitors to Sendai to fully enjoy the city?
It's by using "Loople Sendai."
Loople Sendai is a circular bus that connects tourist spots in the heart of Sendai.
You can enjoy the scenery of one of Japan's most beautiful cityscapes, get off at your favorite tourist spots, or discover Sendai's hidden gems you never knew existed—the possibilities are endless!
This time, we will introduce how to enjoy Sendai using Loople Sendai
What is Loople Sendai?
Loople Sendai is a bus service that circulates around tourist spots in Sendai City, and began operation on May 13, 1999, as a joint project between the Sendai City Economic Affairs Bureau and the Sendai City Transportation Bureau.
Unlike regular route buses, Loople Sendai operates in special retro-style streetcar-like vehicles, adding a touch of elegance to Sendai's beautiful cityscape.
Many people take photos of the vehicles and dedicated bus stops and upload them to social media.
However, be aware that during peak seasons such as August, regular route buses with banners attached are used for the service.
The Loople Sendai bus starts at Sendai Station and takes approximately 70 minutes to travel clockwise through the city center and connect to tourist spots in the Aobayama area.
During special runs such as the Tanabata Festival and the Sendai Pageant of Light, the bus departs from Sendai Station and connects to the event venue.
The bus service operates from 9:00 to 16:00, departing from Sendai Station.
On weekdays, it runs every 20 minutes (22 trips/day), and on weekends, holidays, and throughout August when it gets crowded during summer vacation, it runs every 15 minutes (29 trips/day).
Great ways to enjoy Loople Sendai
The Loople Sendai bus costs 260 yen per ride (130 yen for children). A round
trip to your destination would cost 520 yen.
Getting off at two different stops would cost 780 yen, making it increasingly expensive each time you do some sightseeing.
In such cases, you should buy a one-day pass.
A one-day pass for Loople Sendai costs 620 yen (310 yen for children), so you'll break even if you get off at just two places.
There is also a combined one-day pass for the subway and Loople Sendai, 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 locations, including the Sendai Station West Exit Bus Pool Information Center.
In the worst-case scenario, they are also sold on board the Loople Sendai bus, but since the number of passes is limited, it is recommended to purchase them at a designated sales location whenever possible.
Additionally, the combined one-day pass for the subway is also sold at the ticket windows of each station on the Tozai and Namboku subway lines.
This is convenient for those who use the subway.
A balding writer who loves travel and laughter.
A nice guy who hides his thinning hair by shaving his head!
He travels north and south to bring smiles to Tohoku through his writing!
