Matsushima Bay, located in Miyagi Prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region, is widely celebrated as one of Japan’s “Three Most Scenic Views” (Nihon Sankei). Dotted with more than 260 small pine-clad islands, the bay has inspired poets, monks, and travelers for centuries. Its quiet beauty is often described as a perfect blend of nature and spirituality: steep rock formations shaped by the tides, wind-twisted pines clinging to cliffs, and expansive views that change dramatically with the seasons.
Beyond its visual charm, Matsushima is a culturally rich destination. The nearby town hosts historic temples, waterfront promenades, and a unique blend of local seafood traditions influenced by centuries of maritime life. Visitors come not only to admire the scenery but also to experience the depth of history, craftsmanship, and calm that surround the bay.
Today, Matsushima Bay remains highly accessible from Sendai City, making it a popular but still peaceful escape for both domestic and international travelers. Whether you cruise among the islands, explore ancient temples, or enjoy sunset from an observation point, Matsushima offers one of Japan’s most atmospheric coastal landscapes—an area where natural beauty and cultural heritage meet in harmonious balance.
The islands of Matsushima Bay were formed over millennia through natural erosion, and by the Heian period the area was already renowned for its scenery. Poets such as Matsuo Bashō famously praised the bay, solidifying its place in Japan’s cultural imagination.
In the ninth century, Tendai Buddhist monk Jikaku Daishi founded the original Zuiganji and Godaido temples. Date Masamune, Sendai’s Warring States Period daimyo, restored the Zuiganji and Godaido, and founded the third, Entsuin, in the early seventeenth century. All three temples are designated Nationally Important Cultural Properties, and all are within easy walking distance of the port. Godaido is located on a promontory, and is known as the symbol of Matsushima. Be careful crossing the sukashibashi red bridges to the temple itself! The boards are purposefully placed to compel would-be worshippers to pay attention to their surroundings.
A breed of Pacific Oysters called Miyagi Oysters are the prized product of Matsushima. The islands and rich ocean current makes this bay the perfect place for aquaculture and raising oysters. The fishermen of Matsushima organize special tours to see the oysters growing in the bay where guests can see them at different stages of their growth and then to enjoy them for lunch at the Matsushima Fish Market. You can reach out to us about these tours on our contact form.
This tour also offers guests a way to see the islands of Matsushima away from the crowded tourist boats which can have hundreds of foreign tourists riding during the busy fall and summer months.
For travellers looking for an afternoon break from temple viewing, Kanrantei tea house offers a traditional Japanese matcha and wagashi set with a view of the bay. This former samurai tea house once hosted officials from the imperial court and other high-ranking visitors in its stunning gold-leafed inner sanctum.
There is also a cafe located in Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park which offers spectacular views and more western fare, though it is something of a hike from the rest of the sights in town.
You can find more traditional Buddhist fare at Ungai, a shojin ryori restaurant located on the grounds of Entsuin temple. Enjoy a delectable vegetarian kaiseki spread for lunch or dinner. Reservations must be made at least five days in advance, so be sure to secure your booking ahead of time.
Matsushima’s mineral-rich alkaline hot spring waters can be experienced at several onsen ryokan, ranging from mid-range to luxury. You can enjoy the view that so captivated Basho while relaxing in the slightly opaque mineral waters of an outdoor onsen bath. These waters are good for soothing muscle pains and neuralgia. Some of the ryokan also offer day-trip passes, so even if you only have time for a day-trip you can still reap the benefits of the local onsen!
Matsushima is home to roughly half the islands dotting the famous Matsushima Bay. From the port you can take a sightseeing boat in a loop around some of the most popular islands or on to Shiogama.
Entsuin temple offers a Buddhist bead bracelet making experience for a very reasonable extra fee, depending on the materials you want to use. Just ask if you can take part when you pay the entrance fee!
Matsushima can easily be accessed from Sendai via two public transport routes; the train and sightseeing boats.
By train, you can take a JR Senseki to Matsushima-kaigen from Sendai in under an hour.
By boat, take a JR Senseki to Shiogama. From Shiogama, take one of the hourly sightseeing boats from the Marine Gate to Matsushima. This is more expensive and time consuming, but turns the commute in sightseeing as well!
Either of these travel methods can be used to return to Sendai, although you should note that the last sightseeing boat leaves Matsushima at 5:00 pm.
Matsushima can also be accessed via car.
Although the floats can usually not be seen until the day of the festival, this year is different. From the end of the festival in July through the float dismantling in November, visitors can view the floats up close. This is a valuable cultural experience in which visitors can view the elaborate structure of the floats and brought to life through the passion of local residents, and hear directly from the local people themselves.
This hands-on experience offers the rare opportunity to help construct the floats which are paraded up and down the streets during the summer Kurikoma Festival.
Swordsmith Norizane Miyagi has been making swords for 45 years, continuing to refine his skills even to this day. At the workshop of Norizane Miyagi, receive a demonstration and explanation of the steps involved in sword making, try your hand at some smithing yourself, and view some genuine samurai swords in a private showing.
Immerse yourself in all things Samurai on this 4 day, 3 night tour. Start in the Samurai town of Shiroishi, enjoy private tours of Date Samurai history hotspots in Sendai and Matsushima, and get in on the action in Tome with a Yagyu Shingan-ryu experience. Wind down your trip with a stay in a luxurious traditional onsen ryokan
As a means of purifying spaces and preventing evil from entering, shimenawa ropes are hung to welcome the god Toshigami into one’s home. This experience offers visitors the chance to make a shimenawa decoration using green wara.
On this private sea-to-table culinary adventure tour, experience the bounty of the Sanriku fishing grounds just off the coast of Ishinomaki for yourself! Fish, fry, flambe, and feast your way through this all-day immersive experience.
Rising over 1,800 meters along the border between Yamagata and Miyagi, Mount Zao is a popular ski, hiking, and hot springs destination.
History and nature, art and stillness—all interweave at Kazenosawa, a hidden retreat where you can reset your priorities and spend quality time with those precious to you.
The kokeshi doll, born in the Tohoku region first as a toy, took on new life as an item travelers visiting the hot springs of the region would take back with them as a souvenir. In this experience, paint their own original kokeshi doll using the same kind of brushes and electric lathe the artisans themselves do.
Immerse yourself in the spirituality of the Dewa Sanzan Mountains in this active 3 day and 2 night experience.
Learn Japan’s beloved traditional game of kendama alongside the locals of Nagai City.
Ginzan Onsen is a picture perfect hot spring town nestled in the mountains in the deep countryside of Yamagata Prefecture.
