Japan has a treasure trove of beautiful natural landscapes, but three of them have notably been declared to the the top three by the government. One is natural sandbar bridge called “Ama-no-Hashidate” in northern Kyoto prefecture, another is Miyajima, a famous island off the coast near Hiroshima, and the third one is none other than Sendai’s own Matsushima area.
Get offshore to get a glimpse at what’s in store
Some of the islands are quite close to the short, so a walk down the coast opens up some impressive scenery. One of the bigger islands has a long pedestrian bridge (200 JPY / 1.50 USD) connecting it to the mainland. The island itself, known as “Fukuura-shima” in Japanese, has lots of uncrowded paths to explore, and views galore.
Islands large and small, virtually all uninhabited
PIctured above is actually one of the bigger islands. The shapes, wave-worn cliffs, and thickets of trees combine to form a scene right out of a painting. Of course there have been countless paintings produced over the centuries, but other signs of a long history are scattered about, including temples and old shopping streets. Some islands look like animals, other have had portions dramatically hollowed out by wave forces over the millennium.
Before heading out to sea, check out Japan from the 1960s and 1970s
For Japanese, it’s a walk down memory lane, but for foreigners it is equally interesting to see how the (roughly) 1960s and 1970s pop culture expressed itself in Japan. The “Showa Retro House” is a pop cultural repository of imposing heights, and costs only 350 JPY (3 USD) to peruse. See old transistor radios, movie posters, even cigarette boxes over the years. Downstairs is a gift shop selling decided more modern treats to take back to friends and family.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Finally, it’s time to head out to sea
Cruise ships leave every thirty to sixty minutes, and reservations are rarely needed. Just look for the crowds on the waterfront to find the ticket office (or ask the very helpful tourist desk at Matsushima Kaigan Station, where you will alight when coming from central Sendai). The boat rides are around 45 minutes, give or take.
Find some solace, and breathe deep
Arrrrggh, it sure feels good be seafaring! The fresh air, open skies, and 360 degree scenery makes the boat the indisputable best way to view the island up close. The boat tour guides explain some key islands’ names and legends in both Japanese and English, enabling you to get an even better sense of place.
A stroll along a coast and also back in time, plus a great jaunt into the open waters
With history and beauty like this, it’s no wonder why Matsushima is one of Japan’s three top scenery spots. Add in the on-shore spectacle, including the retro museum, and a great seafood meal, and before you know it you’ve got the better part of a full day of fun and wonderment.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to