About Matsushima
Matsushima Island is located in Matsushima Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and is the collective name of about 260 islands of various sizes in the bay, so named because of the many Japanese black and red pines growing on these islands. The blue water, green pine trees, and beautiful rocks have been used in waka and haiku since the Nara period, and it is one of the three scenic spots in Japan, along with Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture.
Matsushima Island has not only spectacular scenery but also fascinating cultural landscape. Because of the many reefs in Matsushima Bay, Date Masamune, the lord of Sendai in the early Edo period, considered this area as a military port and built many buildings, so there are still many famous historical buildings in the vicinity, such as Suiyanji Temple, Godaido, Kanrantei, and Wondongin. The combination of beautiful natural scenery and ancient cultural scenery makes up the flawless scenery of Matsushima.
Matsushima is one of the most famous scenic spots in Japan, with different colors in different seasons, and various cultural events are held from time to time to match the changing seasons. In particular, at the annual Matsushima Lantern Release Fireworks Festival held in August, when 8,000 fireworks are shot into the night sky and countless lanterns sway on the water in the bay, the entire Matsushima Island becomes a fantastic world.
How to get there
(1)5 minutes on foot from Matsushima-kaigan Station on the Senseki Line
(2)10 minutes by car from the Matsushima-kaigan IC of Sanriku Expressway
(3)50 minutes by boat from Marine Gate Shiogama (sightseeing boat)
Tips
This is my second visit to Matsushima. Matsushima is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. Matsushima Bay has more than 260 islands of various sizes. The contrast between the islands scattered in the bay and the full moon (or the morning sun) shining in the sky is a tasteful contrast worthy of the “Three Great Views of Japan.
There are many things to see and do in Matsushima, including the “Four Great Views of Matsushima” from the east, west, south, north, and west, sightseeing boats, gourmet food, tours of historical sites, and sightseeing spots.
Website
https://www.matsushima-kanko.com/
