Most viewed - Matsushima-machi 松島町 |
Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.468 views
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Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.248 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station239 views
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221 views
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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.166 views
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Map of Matsushima near Matsushima Kaigan Station. Places of interest include Ojima island, Matsushima boat cruise, Godaido island, Fukuura island, and Zuiganji temple.163 views
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Shrine on Ojima136 views
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Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima135 views
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Kanejima133 views
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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.131 views
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130 views
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128 views
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The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.127 views
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Another famous and unique island in Matsushima is Niojima, shaped like a Deva King found at the gate of Buddhist temples. 仁王島125 views
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THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島122 views
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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.121 views
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Next to the boat pier is this building selling cruise tickets. No reservations required. You can buy a ticket even 5 min. before departure. 119 views
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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.118 views
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Inside Nio Maru's lower deck. Comfortable and air-conditioned. The places of interest are explained in Japanese and English during the cruise.118 views
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The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.118 views
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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.117 views
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Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.117 views
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These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.117 views
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Way to Godaido.117 views
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Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.116 views
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115 views
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Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore. 115 views
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Godaido is another famous and storied icon of Matsushima. In any painting or depiction of Matsushima, Godaido is always there.115 views
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Godaido 五大堂115 views
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As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.114 views
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Sankeiden hall at Entsuin temple is an Important Cultural Property. This is a mausoleum for Date Mitsumine. 三慧殿114 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.113 views
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They even sell bird food on the boat.112 views
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THe name "Matsushima" of course means "Pine Islands," so you may hear "Matsushima" in other places in Japan wherever there are pine-clad islands. 112 views
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The first bridge to Godaidojima island.112 views
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First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.111 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station111 views
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Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.111 views
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Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.110 views
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Boar110 views
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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).110 views
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Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.110 views
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109 views
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This was my favorite island in Matsushima.109 views
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Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.109 views
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Godaido 五大堂109 views
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Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.109 views
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This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.109 views
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Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.109 views
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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.108 views
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108 views
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Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.108 views
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Monkey108 views
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Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.108 views
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Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.108 views
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Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.107 views
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107 views
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Matsushima Rest House is next to the pier, where you can buy cruise tickets or just rest on chairs. Tourist info counter also provided.107 views
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107 views
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Second bridge to Godaido.107 views
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Another noted building in Matsushima is Kanrantei, perched on a low hill. Now it is a rest place where they serve tea.107 views
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About Zuiganji temple caves.107 views
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About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.107 views
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Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.106 views
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Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.106 views
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106 views
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Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"105 views
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On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.105 views
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Nice walking path on Ojima105 views
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103 views
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Cave of graves.103 views
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Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.102 views
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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.102 views
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About Kanrantei101 views
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way to Godaido100 views
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Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.100 views
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Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂100 views
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Folding screen with a painting of Matsushima.99 views
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Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.99 views
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99 views
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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.99 views
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99 views
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Samurai armor and the Date crest98 views
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98 views
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Matsushima Monument near Godaido98 views
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Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋98 views
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98 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.98 views
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Notice the steps on the left.98 views
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At the Zuiganji temple entrance is a statue of Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.98 views
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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.98 views
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Entsuin"s caves98 views
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98 views
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Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.98 views
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97 views
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Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.97 views
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Entrance to Kanrantei.97 views
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Gate to Zuiganji temple.97 views
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97 views
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97 views
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Zuiganji Art Museum is right acros the Kuri.97 views
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97 views
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97 views
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About Godaido96 views
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Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei. 96 views
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96 views
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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.96 views
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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.96 views
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Entrnce to Zuiganji temple.96 views
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Graves inside a cave near the temple entrance.96 views
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Zuiganji lantern96 views
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Date Mitsumune died at age 19 in Edo Castle, rumored to have been poisoned. His talents and abilities were feared by the Tokugawa.96 views
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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.96 views
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Kanrantei95 views
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Inside Matsushima Museum95 views
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View from Fukuura island.95 views
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95 views
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95 views
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Monument for railroad workers.95 views
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Kuri was the Zen kitchen. You can go inside, but only in the entrance way. Nothing much to see.95 views
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Near the Hondo hall is this building called the Kuri.95 views
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Map of Entsuin built in 1646 by Date Tadamune, second lord of Sendai (after Masamune). He built it for his deceased son Mitsumune.95 views
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95 views
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95 views
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Inside Entsuin's Hondo hall called Daihitei. It used to be the summer home of Mitsumune. Dedicated to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy.95 views
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Ojima island at Matsushima95 views
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Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon. 95 views
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Ojima caves95 views
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95 views
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Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.94 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. 94 views
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Wooded path to Zuiganji.94 views
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This cave is marred by graffiti. Hope the offenders get cursed by the deceased.94 views
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Renovations have already begun with adjacent buildings. I visited in Aug. 2009.94 views
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The building will be disassembled and reassembled. They expect to find some hidden historical artifacts during the process.94 views
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94 views
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This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.94 views
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94 views
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94 views
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Folding screens93 views
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93 views
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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.93 views
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Lookout point on Fukuura island.93 views
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93 views
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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.93 views
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Daihitei hondo main hall of Entsuin. 大悲亭93 views
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Rose Garden and Daihitei.93 views
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93 views
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Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.93 views
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93 views
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93 views
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View from Ojima93 views
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Matsushima93 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.92 views
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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92 views
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Fukuura island92 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.92 views
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92 views
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Path to Zuiganji's main hall. Admission charged.92 views
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Room built into the rock.92 views
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Way to Sankeiden at Entsuin temple.92 views
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Monuments and stones92 views
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View from Ojima.92 views
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Kanrantei91 views
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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91 views
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It was early AUg. and hydrangea was still in bloom in Entsuin.91 views
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91 views
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Back to Matsushima Port.90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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From Sept. 2009, Zuiganji's Hondo main hall will be closed for major renovation. The construction offices are on the left.90 views
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Kawara roof tiles.90 views
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90 views
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Entsuin's Rose Garden バラの庭90 views
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Entsuin90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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Matsushima Museum at Kanrantei. 89 views
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89 views
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89 views
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Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.89 views
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Lookout point89 views
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Matsushima Green Hiroba is a waterfront park.88 views
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