Most viewed - Matsushima 松島 |
Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.476 views
|
|
Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.256 views
|
|
Matsushima Kaigan Station247 views
|
|
227 views
|
|
I show you photos of the boat cruise first. There are many boats coming and going in Matsushima Bay. You have to decide which cruise to go on.174 views
|
|
Map of Matsushima near Matsushima Kaigan Station. Places of interest include Ojima island, Matsushima boat cruise, Godaido island, Fukuura island, and Zuiganji temple.171 views
|
|
Shrine on Ojima144 views
|
|
Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima142 views
|
|
140 views
|
|
140 views
|
|
Matsushima Pier. There are boats which go around the Matsushima islands and return to Matsushima. Others go to Shiogama (toward Sendai) or a longer route toward Oku Matsushima.137 views
|
|
Kanejima137 views
|
|
The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.135 views
|
|
Another famous and unique island in Matsushima is Niojima, shaped like a Deva King found at the gate of Buddhist temples. 仁王島132 views
|
|
THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島129 views
|
|
THe Nio Maru boat which I rode for the cruise. For an extra 600 yen, you can go on the first-class upper deck. I waited until it got sunny later in the day, then went on the cruise. The islands look better when it's sunny.128 views
|
|
Way to Godaido.127 views
|
|
From Matsushima Kaigan Station, almost everything is within walking distance. If it were cherry blossom season, you could proceed first to Saigyo Modoshi-no-Matsu Park on a hilltop behind the station.126 views
|
|
Inside Nio Maru's lower deck. Comfortable and air-conditioned. The places of interest are explained in Japanese and English during the cruise.126 views
|
|
Most boat cruises cost 1400 yen, taking about 50 min. Boats leave almost every 30 min. The boat cruise is the main and most popular activity at Matsushima.125 views
|
|
Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.125 views
|
|
The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.125 views
|
|
Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore. 125 views
|
|
Next to the boat pier is this building selling cruise tickets. No reservations required. You can buy a ticket even 5 min. before departure. 124 views
|
|
These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.124 views
|
|
Godaido is another famous and storied icon of Matsushima. In any painting or depiction of Matsushima, Godaido is always there.124 views
|
|
Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.124 views
|
|
Godaido 五大堂123 views
|
|
Sankeiden hall at Entsuin temple is an Important Cultural Property. This is a mausoleum for Date Mitsumine. 三慧殿123 views
|
|
THe name "Matsushima" of course means "Pine Islands," so you may hear "Matsushima" in other places in Japan wherever there are pine-clad islands. 122 views
|
|
121 views
|
|
Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.120 views
|
|
The first bridge to Godaidojima island.120 views
|
|
Map of Fukuura island. Points 3 and 5 are worth seeing. You have to leave the island by 5 pm or (4:30 pm during winter months).120 views
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.120 views
|
|
They even sell bird food on the boat.119 views
|
|
Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.119 views
|
|
Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.119 views
|
|
Boar119 views
|
|
Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.118 views
|
|
As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.118 views
|
|
118 views
|
|
118 views
|
|
Monkey118 views
|
|
This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.118 views
|
|
Matsushima Kaigan Station117 views
|
|
Matsushima Rest House is next to the pier, where you can buy cruise tickets or just rest on chairs. Tourist info counter also provided.117 views
|
|
Godaido 五大堂117 views
|
|
117 views
|
|
Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.117 views
|
|
Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.117 views
|
|
First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.116 views
|
|
This was my favorite island in Matsushima.116 views
|
|
Another noted building in Matsushima is Kanrantei, perched on a low hill. Now it is a rest place where they serve tea.116 views
|
|
On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.116 views
|
|
Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.116 views
|
|
Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.115 views
|
|
Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.115 views
|
|
Second bridge to Godaido.115 views
|
|
Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.115 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.114 views
|
|
Matsushima Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line. This is the closest to Matsushima's main attractions. Note that there is also a Matsushima Station. Don't get off there.113 views
|
|
Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.113 views
|
|
About Zuiganji temple caves.113 views
|
|
Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"112 views
|
|
Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.112 views
|
|
Nice walking path on Ojima112 views
|
|
110 views
|
|
Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.110 views
|
|
Fukuura island is larger than the other islands, and can take a good 30 min. to walk around it. If you don't feel like walking anymore, you may want to skip Fukuura. Most tourists don't go there, but I thought it was worth a visit.109 views
|
|
109 views
|
|
About Kanrantei108 views
|
|
Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋108 views
|
|
Cave of graves.108 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.108 views
|
|
Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.107 views
|
|
Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.107 views
|
|
Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.107 views
|
|
107 views
|
|
At the Zuiganji temple entrance is a statue of Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.107 views
|
|
Zuiganji temple's Hondo main hall. This building is a National Treasure. No photography allowed inside. Zuiganji is a Zen temple built in 828. This building was rebuilt in 1609 by Date Masamune.107 views
|
|
Next to Zuiganji is Entsuin, another noted temple in Matsushima even though it is not a National Treasure. A Zen (Rinzai school) Buddhist temple. Small admission charged.107 views
|
|
Entsuin"s caves107 views
|
|
Samurai armor and the Date crest106 views
|
|
106 views
|
|
Zuiganji Art Museum is right acros the Kuri.106 views
|
|
Entsuin is most noted for its Japanese-style garden designed by Kobori Enshu. The garden is said to have been moved here from Date's Edo residence.106 views
|
|
Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂106 views
|
|
106 views
|
|
way to Godaido105 views
|
|
Folding screen with a painting of Matsushima.105 views
|
|
105 views
|
|
105 views
|
|
Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.105 views
|
|
These Zuiganji temple caves were used to store the ashes of the deceased. THere are numerous Kannon statues and carvings. You see these caves, large and small, all over Matsushima.105 views
|
|
105 views
|
|
105 views
|
|
Map of Entsuin built in 1646 by Date Tadamune, second lord of Sendai (after Masamune). He built it for his deceased son Mitsumune.105 views
|
|
105 views
|
|
104 views
|
|
About Godaido104 views
|
|
Kanrantei104 views
|
|
Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei. 104 views
|
|
Entrance to Kanrantei.104 views
|
|
Folding screens104 views
|
|
Matsushima Monument near Godaido104 views
|
|
104 views
|
|
Graves inside a cave near the temple entrance.104 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
View from Fukuura island.103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
Notice the steps on the left.103 views
|
|
Entrnce to Zuiganji temple.103 views
|
|
Zuiganji lantern103 views
|
|
Near the Hondo hall is this building called the Kuri.103 views
|
|
This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
Matsushima103 views
|
|
Inside Matsushima Museum102 views
|
|
Lookout point on Fukuura island.102 views
|
|
This cave is marred by graffiti. Hope the offenders get cursed by the deceased.102 views
|
|
Monument for railroad workers.102 views
|
|
Kuri was the Zen kitchen. You can go inside, but only in the entrance way. Nothing much to see.102 views
|
|
102 views
|
|
102 views
|
|
View from Ojima.102 views
|
|
102 views
|
|
View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.101 views
|
|
View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. 101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
Gate to Zuiganji temple.101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
Date Mitsumune died at age 19 in Edo Castle, rumored to have been poisoned. His talents and abilities were feared by the Tokugawa.101 views
|
|
Daihitei hondo main hall of Entsuin. 大悲亭101 views
|
|
Rose Garden and Daihitei.101 views
|
|
Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon. 101 views
|
|
Ojima caves101 views
|
|
Monuments and stones101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
View from Ojima101 views
|
|
Fukuura island100 views
|
|
Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.100 views
|
|
Way to Zuiganji temple. Matsushima also has a number of notable temples, and Zuiganji is the most famous, being a National Treasure. A short walk from the boat pier.100 views
|
|
Wooded path to Zuiganji.100 views
|
|
From Sept. 2009, Zuiganji's Hondo main hall will be closed for major renovation. The construction offices are on the left.100 views
|
|
I got to see the main hall before it was to be closed for several years for renovation. The Hondo will be renovated for the first time since it was built 400 years ago.100 views
|
|
The building will be disassembled and reassembled. They expect to find some hidden historical artifacts during the process.100 views
|
|
Kawara roof tiles.100 views
|
|
Room built into the rock.100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
Way to Sankeiden at Entsuin temple.100 views
|
|
Inside Entsuin's Hondo hall called Daihitei. It used to be the summer home of Mitsumune. Dedicated to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy.100 views
|
|
It was early AUg. and hydrangea was still in bloom in Entsuin.100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
Unless you want to swim to the island, you have to pay 200 yen to cross the bridge to Fukuura. Walk through the gift shop/restaurant and pay the toll to access the bridge.99 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
Renovations have already begun with adjacent buildings. I visited in Aug. 2009.99 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
Kanrantei98 views
|
|
The second island to visit is Fukuurajima, a short walk from the boat pier. The island with the long red bridge is Fukuura island. You can't miss it. 福浦島98 views
|
|
Path to Zuiganji's main hall. Admission charged.98 views
|
|
Entsuin98 views
|
|
Ojima island at Matsushima98 views
|
|
98 views
|
|
Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.98 views
|
|
Back to Matsushima Port.97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
Matsushima Museum at Kanrantei. 96 views
|
|
Near Godaido is this onument for Japan's Scenic Trio (Nihon Sankei) which are Matsushima, Amanohashidate (northern Kyoto), and Miyajima (Hiroshima). 日本三景96 views
|
|
96 views
|
|
96 views
|
|
96 views
|
|
Lookout point96 views
|
|
Entsuin's Rose Garden バラの庭95 views
|
|
Matsushima Green Hiroba is a waterfront park.95 views
|
|
95 views
|
|
|
|