Translate
Sendai Airport
Natori, Japan
Sendai Airport
Tohoku's gateway airport serving northeastern Japan.
- ›Severely damaged by the March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, with floodwaters reaching the terminal building.
- ›Became the first fully privatized airport in Japan in 2016 under a 30-year concession agreement.
- ›Located approximately 13 km south of central Sendai in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture.
- ›The Sendai Airport Access Line, opened in 2007, provides direct rail links to Sendai Station.
- ›Serves as the main gateway to the Tohoku region, supporting tourism to areas such as Matsushima and Yamadera.
Sendai Airport, officially known as Sendai International Airport, is located in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, serving as the primary air gateway to the Tohoku region of Japan. Opened in 1940 and expanded over subsequent decades, the airport was severely damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami but was rebuilt and reopened within months, demonstrating remarkable resilience. It handles domestic routes primarily to Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo, along with select international connections to Asia.
- Domestic Terminal — Handles all domestic flights with standard check-in, retail, and dining facilities across a compact but efficient layout.
- International Terminal — A smaller, adjacent wing processing international departures and arrivals primarily to destinations in China, South Korea, and Taiwan.
- Sendai Airport Access Line (rail) connecting to Sendai Station in approximately 17 minutes
- Highway buses to Sendai city centre and surrounding Tohoku cities
- Taxis and ride services available at the arrivals exit
- Car rental counters from major agencies including Toyota Rent a Car and Nippon Rent-A-Car
- Limousine bus services to select Sendai hotels
- Candeo Hotels Sendai
- Hotel Monterey Sendai
- Dormy Inn Sendai Ekimae
- Richmond Hotel Sendai Ekimae
- Westin Sendai
Inside the terminal, travellers can find several Japanese dining options including ramen, soba, and Sendai's famous gyutan (grilled beef tongue) at dedicated specialty restaurants. Convenience stores such as Lawson are available airside for quick snacks and beverages. Outside the airport in Natori and central Sendai, a wide range of izakayas, seafood restaurants, and regional Tohoku cuisine awaits visitors.
- Purchase an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) at Sendai Station for seamless use on trains and buses throughout Tohoku.
- The Sendai Airport Access Line is the fastest and most cost-effective way to reach central Sendai; trains run frequently throughout the day.
- Arrive early for international departures as immigration and security queues can extend during peak travel seasons.
- Gyutan (beef tongue) is Sendai's signature dish — try it at the airport's dedicated restaurant before or after your flight.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (14 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via SDJ? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Japan from official government sources.
Sendai Airport is an international airport located in Natori of Miyagi Prefecture, 13.6 km (8.5 mi) south-southeast of Sendai, Japan. The airport is the largest in Tōhoku region. The airport's annual passenger numbers have been around 3.6 million in recent years, competing with Kobe Airport for 10th place in Japan. The airport sustained serious damage in 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Read full article on Wikipedia