Bay cruise
Among the islands.
663highland — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Suicasmo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Suicasmo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 663highland — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ippukucho — CC BY 3.0
Matsushima Bay is a bay scattered with small pine-covered islands on the Pacific coast of Miyagi Prefecture in northeast Japan, about 20 km northeast of Sendai and 320 km northeast of Tokyo in a straight line. It is counted among the «Three Views of Japan», together with Miyajima and Amanohashidate. There are about 260 islands, and the name means «pine islands». A famous verse, long credited to the poet Basho but first printed more than a century after his death, says the view left its writer lost for words. Four classic lookouts on the surrounding hills are known as the Magnificent, Beautiful, Enchanting and Grand Views. Small islands of pale, wave-carved rock rise from calm water, each topped with twisted pines, and some are pierced by sea arches. Fishing boats and oyster rafts sit between them, and from the hills the bay looks like a scattered garden of green dots on blue. Sightseeing cruises leave from the pier near Matsushima-Kaigan Station, about 40 minutes from Sendai by train. A long red footbridge leads to Fukuurajima island, and Zuigan-ji, a Zen temple, stands near the shore. Oysters are the local speciality and are best in winter.
Among the islands.
A long red bridge.
Best in winter.
Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, northeast Japan
By train from Sendai to Matsushima-Kaigan Station.
Autumn for the leaves; winter for oysters.