During his tour of Tohoku, famed poet Matsuo Basho claimed Matsushima was one of the most beautiful places in Japan. I find myself inclined to agree. There simply isn’t a view quite like this anywhere else in the country! The bay is dotted with hundreds of little islands, each carefully shaped by the pounding waves and bracing sea-breezes.
However, Matsushima is more than simply a beautiful bay filled with stunning rock formations. The mainland town is also home to centuries of Buddhist culture, samurai history, and incredible seafood. This is a day trip from Sendai you won’t want to miss.
Matsushima and its bay have been a pilgrimage destination since at least the ninth century, when Tendai Buddhist monk Jikaku Daishi founded the original Zuiganji and Godaido temples. Today, this small hamlet is home to three major Buddhist temples: Godaido, Zuiganji, and Entsuin. All three temples owe their current appearance to Date Masamune, Sendai’s Warring States Period daimyo. He restored the two existing temples, 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, seen right, 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.
Given its proximity to Shiogama, the sushi capital of Japan, it should be no surprise that Matsushima serves some excellent seafood. Pacific Oysters in particular are a Matsushima specialty. They are at their most delicious from October to March, but are available all year. For braver gourmets, a local ice cream shop also offers seafood flavored ice creams.
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.
A 5-day, 4-night tour to experience the best of cuisine and craftsmanship in the Uetsu area of Japan. Observe and experience techniques for making outstanding kitchenware of the master craftsmen of Tsubame-Sanjo and enjoy cooking and dining experiences with chefs of Tsuruoka City, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
A four-day, three-night tour to experience the highlights of the Uetsu region of Japan, with a special focus on nature and its connections with the local spiritual and culinary cultures.
From Niigata to Yamagata, experience the charm and beauty of traditions of craftsmanship in the Uetsu region of Japan. Experience Japan’s “monozukuri” tradition for yourself while learning about the history and charm of creation in each area.
Experience an indispensable element of Japanese holidays: mochi-pounding! Using a traditional mallet and mortar, pound mochi rice into this staple chewy morsel, and then enjoy the result as part of a delicious local dish.
Rinnoji Temple, which has one of the best gardens in the Tohoku region, offers a private tour and immersion in Japanese culture as you learn about the history of Rinnoji Temple and Zen culture. After a prayer and zazen experience, enjoy a meal of shojinryori.
The Tohoku Kizuna Festival, a collaboration event combining the Tohoku region’s 6 most famous summer matsuri into one giant celebration!
In the Meiji (1868–1912) and Taisho (1912–1926) periods, the Wakayanagi area of Kurihara flourished thanks to the production of Wakayanagi jiori, a traditional cotton textile. Learn about the Wakayanagi jiori production process and the special characteristics of the Y-type loom, about dedication to craftsmanship and techniques passed down through generations, from third-generation owner Kojun Chiba.
Embrace the hobby sweeping the masses- bird-watching! The Izunuma-Uchinuma wetlands are one of the wintering grounds frequented by the migratory waterfowl that come to Japan each winter. Contemplate the relationship between man and nature as you observe waterfowl rising from their roosts in the early morning and returning at dusk.
While Tokyo’s fish markets may be famous, the actual sushi capital of Japan lies far to the north in Miyagi prefecture, in the port town of Shiogama.
Experience being a miko, a shrine maiden, for a day at a largely revered shrine. Wear traditional miko clothing, learn about shintoism, create your own lucky amulet and participate in a formal
ceremony, then enjoy a local lunch.
Around the end of May, rice fields of the Okitama region are filled with water. This hike aims to see the sunrise colors the surface of the rice fields and scattered villages below and travel to the summit of Mt. Kumano.
Info on access to and lodging in Ginzan Onsen in winter, how to make reservations for the popular Twilight Bus tour, and more!
