Traveling to Sendai

June 27, 2025

Information for Nationals Requiring a VISA
Visa-exempt Countries and Regions
Online Immigration Procedures
Getting to Sendai
Accommodation in Sendai
Shuttle Bus Between Sendai Station and the Venue
Contact Information

1.Information for Nationals Requiring a VISA

A short-term visa is required for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals attending the 2025 PRRLA Annual Meeting. Please refer to the following links for visa application procedures. General information for visas HERE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
Tohoku University will prepare the 'Letter of Reason for Invitation' and 'Schedule of Stay' for your visa application. Please inform us of this when you register for the annual meeting.

For Chinese nationals

for short-term business affairs/短期商务等签证（单次）（from"日本国驻华大使馆")

For Vietnamese nationals

nhập cảnh Nhật Bản（from “Đại sứ quán Nhật Bản tại Việt Nam”）

For Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Taiwan and Thailand nationals

VISA may be required depending on the passport you have. Please click HEREfor details.

2.Visa-exempt Countries and Regions

Countries / Regions	Visa Information from Japanese embassies
Australia	https://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/consular.html
Canada	https://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html
Hong Kong *	https://www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html
Indonesia*	https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_id/visa.html
Macau(Macao)*	https://www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html
Republic of Korea	https://www.kr.emb-japan.go.jp/visa/visa_doc.html
Singapore	https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visit.html
Taiwan *	https://www.koryu.or.jp/tw/visa/taipei/
Thailand*	https://www.th.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html
United Kingdom	https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/index_000025.html
United States	https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/travel_and_visa.html

*Countries and regions with some conditions for visa exemption. For more information, click here

3.Online Immigration Procedures

Visit Japan Web is a service that allows you to complete arrival procedures(immigration, customs) online.

Visit Japan Web
https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/

4.Getting to Sendai

Getting to Sendai typically involves flying into Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, then taking the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Sendai. There are also direct flights to Sendai from some countries.

How to Get to Sendai
https://discoversendai.travel/travel-info/getting-to-sendai/(City of Sendai)
https://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/en/pre-arrival-e/access-e/(International Support Center, Tohoku University)

Various JR (Japan Rail) Passes

There are several convenient passes available for traveling in Japan by train.
If you want to travel around the Tohoku region, the JR East Pass is a good option. If you're only going to be in Sendai, it's cheaper to buy a train ticket just for Sendai.

Access to Sendai from Narita or Haneda Airport(ISC Support)

JR Passes / One-way ticket
Pass Name	Validity	Price	Coverage Area
JR EAST PASS(Tohoku Area)5-DAY	5 consecutive days	￥30,000	The Tohoku region(including Sendai), Tokyo and its surrounding areas(including Narita and Haneda Airports)
JR EAST PASS(Tohoku Area)10-DAY	10 consecutive days	￥48,000	Same as above
JAPAN RAIL PASS	7 consecutive days	￥50,000	Nationwide JR trains, Shinkansen(An additional ticket is required to board Nozomi and Mizuho)
One-way ticket from Narita/Haneda Airport to Sendai		approximately ￥14,000	Including the Shinkansen express fare

Note: Shinkansen seat reservations open 30 days before departure and cannot be made earlier.

How to Search Train Routes
For searching train routes and schedules, you can use Japan Transit Planner, a helpful tool available in English, Chinese, and other languages.
When you enter "Sendai" as your destination, you will see multiple options. Please select "Sendai(Miyagi)".

5.Accommodation in Sendai

For those who wish to stay overnight, Tohoku University can arrange accommodation at Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East, located right next to Sendai Station.
If you would like us to make the arrangements, please apply in the registration form. Tohoku University will handle the reservation, so you do not need to book on your own. However, please note that payment must be made by the guest upon check-in.

Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
Access to the hotel
(MAP)Click here and check the 'getting off Shinkansen' section
(VIDEO)Click here

Accommodation Rates(Single Room)
Stay Date	Price(JPY)/per night	Includes
Until October 31	￥16,900	Breakfast, Tax
November 1-2	￥25,200	Breakfast, Tax

For twin room requests, please contact us.

6.Shuttle Bus Between Sendai Station and the Venue

The shuttle buses will run between Sendai Station East Exit bus stop (near Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East) and the venue, Kawauchi Hagi Hall.

Service is available on 29th and 30th Oct.
The shuttle is available to all attendees, not limited to guests of Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East.
If you plan to come to the venue on your own, please refer to the following TU Support video for directions: How to Get to the Aobayama, Kawauchi, and Katahira Campuses from Sendai Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKmhACaYbz8&t=358s

7.Contact Information

If you have any questions about this travel information, please contact the library.

Tohoku University Library　lib-prrla-2025[atSign]grp.tohoku.ac.jp
About us: https://www.library.tohoku.ac.jp/en/