How to Board the Shinkansen at Sendai Station: Step-by-Step Guide

Sendai Station is a major Shinkansen stop in the Tohoku region and a gateway for travelers arriving from Tokyo or Sendai Airport.

If you’ve used the Shinkansen at large stations like Tokyo Station, you may find Sendai Station easier to navigate, with fewer gates and a simpler layout.

This guide shows you how to board the Shinkansen at Sendai Station step by step, helping you move through the station smoothly and with confidence.

Layout, Exits, and Shinkansen Areas at Sendai Station

Before boarding, it helps to understand how Sendai Station is laid out. This section covers the main exits, Shinkansen gates, and platform directions to make your route clear and stress-free.

West and East Exits

Sendai Station has two main exits on the second floor. Both exits lead to the same station inside.

Exit	Main Features	Best For
West Exit	Main entrance with large open area, stained glass window	Hotels, taxis, first-time visitors
East Exit	Shopping areas, station building (S-PAL)	Shopping, dining, some hotels

Shinkansen Ticket Gates

The Shinkansen ticket gates are on the third floor. There are two main gates:

Shinkansen Central Gate: This gate is above the West Exit. It is the easiest gate to find.
Shinkansen South Gate: This gate is near the station building (S-PAL). It is smaller than the Central Gate.

There are also two transfer gates. These gates connect local trains to the Shinkansen. Use the transfer gates if you arrive on a local train:

JR Line Central Transfer Gate: This connects to the Shinkansen Central Gate.
Shinkansen South Transfer Gate: This connects to the Shinkansen South Gate.

Shinkansen Platforms and Directions

The Shinkansen has two platform areas:

Platforms 11-12: These are for northbound trains. Use these platforms to go to Morioka, Shin-Aomori, Akita, or Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
Platforms 13-14: These are for southbound trains. Use these platforms to go to Fukushima or Tokyo.

Platform numbers may change based on train operations. Always check your ticket and station displays to find the correct platform.

Step-by-Step: Boarding the Shinkansen at Sendai Station

Follow these steps to board the Shinkansen. This is the easiest way for first-time visitors.

Step 1 – Enter the Station from the West Exit

Start at the West Exit on the second floor. This is where most people enter the station. You will see a large open area with shops and signs.

West Exit central concourse at Sendai Station with many passengers, overhead displays, and clear walking routes.

Step 2 – Go Up to the Third Floor

Look for the escalator or elevator to the third floor.

Route from the West Exit at Sendai Station leading from the second floor up to the third floor Shinkansen area.

Do not enter the local train gate on the second floor. That gate is for local trains only. Go straight to the escalator and go up to the third floor.

Escalator at Sendai Station West Exit guiding passengers from the second floor up to the Shinkansen boarding level.

Step 3 – Buy or Receive Your Shinkansen Ticket

On the third floor, you will see the Shinkansen ticket gates.

Third floor concourse at Sendai Station where travelers arrive after taking the escalator toward the Shinkansen area.

Before you pass through the gate, you need a ticket. Here are your options:

If you already have a ticket: Go to Step 4.
If you need to buy a ticket: Go to the ticket machines or the Midori-no-madoguchi office. The staff can help you in English.
If you booked with Japan Bullet Train: Use the ticket machines to get your paper ticket. Follow the instructions on the screen and scan your QR code.

Optional Tip: Eat Gyutan Before Entering the Shinkansen Gates

Sendai is famous for grilled beef tongue, called gyutan. There is a popular restaurant area called Gyutan Street on the third floor. It is outside the ticket gate.

Gyutan Street entrance on the third floor at Sendai Station near the Shinkansen area, with shops and passing travelers.

If you want to eat gyutan before your trip, do it now. After you pass through the ticket gate, you cannot go back to this area.

Step 4 – Pass Through the Shinkansen Ticket Gate

Put your ticket into the ticket gate machine.

Shinkansen ticket gates on the third floor of Sendai Station used by travelers heading to the platforms.

The machine will stamp it and return it. Take your ticket and keep it. You will need it again when you leave the train.

Step 5 – Wait at Your Car Number on the Platform

After you pass the gate, go up to the platform.

Escalator inside the Shinkansen gates at Sendai Station leading passengers toward platforms 13 and 14.

Look at your ticket. It shows your car number and seat number. Each car has a number painted on the platform floor. Wait at your car number.

Shinkansen platform at Sendai Station displaying next departure information above passengers waiting to board.

The Shinkansen stops at the same place every time. If you wait at the correct car number, the door will open right in front of you. This makes boarding very easy.

Transfer Routes at Sendai Station

Some travelers arrive at Sendai Station from other places in the city. Here are the best routes for common transfer points.

From the Airport or Matsushima

If you arrive on the Sendai Airport Access Line or from Matsushima, your train stops at the local train platform.

Sendai Airport Access Line train at Sendai Station platform connecting the city center with Sendai Airport.

Escalator at the Sendai Airport Line platform guiding passengers up toward the Shinkansen transfer area at Sendai Station.

Do not exit through the local train gate. Instead, look for signs that say "Shinkansen Transfer" or "のりかえ".

Concourse inside Sendai Station after passing the local train gates, with travelers moving toward transfer routes.

Go straight up to the third floor.

Escalator inside Sendai Station guiding passengers from the local line area on the second floor up to the Shinkansen level.

Pass through the transfer gate. This gate will check your ticket and let you into the Shinkansen area.

Shinkansen transfer gate area at Sendai Station where passengers change from local trains to the Shinkansen.

If you need to buy a Shinkansen ticket, ticket machines are available at the transfer gate area. This route is faster than exiting and re-entering.

From the Sendai Subway Lines

Sendai has two subway lines: the Nanboku Line and the Tozai Line. The subway station is located underground, below the first floor of Sendai Station.

Sendai City Subway platform at Sendai Station with a train arriving and passengers standing nearby.

If you arrive by subway, the clearest route is to head straight to the JR station.

Exit the subway ticket gates.

Sendai City Subway ticket gates at Sendai Station where passengers pass through to enter and exit the subway area.

Do not use the underground JR gate. This gate is for local JR trains, not for the Shinkansen, and can be confusing for first-time visitors.

Go up the escalator toward ground level.

Sendai Subway Station area with an elevator and escalator near the ticket gates for moving between exits and platforms.

Follow the underground passage toward the JR Station, heading up to ground level.

Sendai Station West Exit underground walkway where passengers walk between the station area and nearby exits.

Escalator at Sendai Station leading from the underground walkway up to street level near station exits.

Ground level west exit at Sendai Station with station name signs and people arriving with luggage.

After reaching ground level, continue straight toward the West Exit on the second floor.

Escalator at the west exit of Sendai Station connecting the 1F and 2F levels with passengers moving upward.

You are now in the JR station concourse.

West exit area of Sendai Station on the 2F level where passengers arrive by escalator and gather near information signs.

To board the Shinkansen, take the escalator up to the third floor. When you reach the third floor, you will see the Shinkansen Central Gate.

If You Arrive Early at Sendai Station

Many travelers arrive at the station early. Here are some things you can do while you wait.

Shops and Food Near the Shinkansen Gates

There are shops and restaurants on the third floor, outside the ticket gate.

The most popular areas are Gyutan Street and Sushi Street. Gyutan Street has several restaurants that serve grilled beef tongue. Sushi Street offers fresh sushi and seafood.

Indoor walkway at Sendai Station Gyutan Street lined with beef tongue restaurants and passengers moving through the area.

Inside the gate, you will find ekiben (station bento) shops, coffee shops, and convenience stores.

Souvenir shop inside the Shinkansen gate at Sendai Station, selling ekiben boxes and local sweets to travelers.

Cafe inside the Shinkansen gates at Sendai Station, where travelers buy coffee and snacks before boarding trains.

Remember: Once you pass through the ticket gate, you cannot go back to Gyutan Street or Sushi Street. If you want to eat there, do it before you enter the gate.

Waiting Areas

Inside the ticket gates on the third floor, there is a dedicated waiting room where passengers can sit and relax before boarding.

Waiting room inside the Shinkansen gates at Sendai Station, where passengers sit and rest before boarding trains.

In addition, the Shinkansen area offers spacious open seating areas with plenty of chairs.

Spacious open seating area inside the Shinkansen zone at Sendai Station, where many passengers sit and wait.

Vending Machines and Convenience Stores at the Platforms

On the platform, you will find vending machines. They sell drinks, ice cream, and snacks.

Vending machines on the Shinkansen platform at Sendai Station, allowing passengers to buy drinks before boarding.

Some platforms also have small shops. You can buy light meals for last-minute needs.

Convenience kiosk on the Sendai Station Shinkansen platform providing ekiben and snacks for travelers.

If you have extra time at the station, our Sendai Station guide also covers shops, dining, and other facilities in more detail.

Ready for Departure

Boarding the Shinkansen at Sendai Station is straightforward, even for first-time visitors. Compared with major hubs like Tokyo Station, the layout is simpler and signage is easy to follow.

Planning your Shinkansen journey in advance makes the experience even smoother. Services like Japan Bullet Train allow you to reserve tickets online and receive a QR code, which you can exchange for a paper ticket at the station before boarding.

With this guide, you’re ready to board the Shinkansen at Sendai Station and enjoy a smooth journey across Japan. Safe travels, and enjoy the comfort and efficiency of Japan’s bullet train.