Image search results - "islands" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "islands"

Map of Matsushima near Matsushima Kaigan Station. Places of interest include Ojima island, Matsushima boat cruise, Godaido island, Fukuura island, and Zuiganji temple.

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.

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.

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.

Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.

As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.

The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.

They even sell bird food on the boat.

These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.

Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"

The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.

THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島

Kanejima

THe name "Matsushima" of course means "Pine Islands," so you may hear "Matsushima" in other places in Japan wherever there are pine-clad islands.

Another famous and unique island in Matsushima is Niojima, shaped like a Deva King found at the gate of Buddhist temples. 仁王島

Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.

Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.

This was my favorite island in Matsushima.

Back to Matsushima Port.

Matsushima Rest House is next to the pier, where you can buy cruise tickets or just rest on chairs. Tourist info counter also provided.

Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.

Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.

Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.

Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore.

Godaido is another famous and storied icon of Matsushima. In any painting or depiction of Matsushima, Godaido is always there.

Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.

Godaido 五大堂

Way to Godaido.

way to Godaido

The first bridge to Godaidojima island.

Second bridge to Godaido.

Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.

Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.

About Godaido

Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.

Monkey

Boar

Another noted building in Matsushima is Kanrantei, perched on a low hill. Now it is a rest place where they serve tea.

About Kanrantei

Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei.

Kanrantei

Entrance to Kanrantei.

Kanrantei

Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.

View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.

View of Matsushima from Kanrantei.

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

Matsushima Monument near Godaido

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

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.

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.

Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋

Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.

Fukuura island

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).

View from Fukuura island.

Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.

Lookout point on Fukuura island.

Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.

Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.

Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.

Ojima island at Matsushima

Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.

Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon.

Ojima caves

Monuments and stones

This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.

Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.

View from Ojima.

View from Ojima

Matsushima

Nice walking path on Ojima

Lookout point

Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima

Shrine on Ojima

Lake Toya is a caldera lake, or crater lake. The mountain blew its top forming a huge crater. Later, volcanos erupted at the center to form smaller mountains which are now islands in the water-filled crater.

The Nakajima islands in the center of Lake Toya. There are four islands. Most them have a conical shape.

On this side of the lake, the waters are quite still.

Nakajima islands as seen from Toyako Onsen.

Photos of my visit to the Nakajima islands here.

Lake Toya sign and the Nakajima islands.

Swan boat and a real swan.

Swan boats. You can pedal pretty far out in these things, but not to the Nakajima islands.

On the shore of Lake Toya is binoculars through which you can see the Summit venue, the Windsor Hotel.

Lake Toya and cherry blossoms blooming in early May.

Nakajima islands, Lake Toya

Cherry blossoms and the Nakajima islands, Lake Toya. Early May 2008.

Cherry blossoms (almost in full bloom) and the Nakajima islands, Lake Toya. More photos of cherry blossoms and Lake Toya here in eastern Toyako.

Quite a few islands in the Seto Inland Sea are scarred by cement makers.

Secluded beach on an island. So many islands in Seto Island Sea.

The road is too steep to ride a bicycle, but short enough to walk it. You will be sweating though.

During early to mid-May, the plum blossoms bloom.

Sobetsu Park gives great views of Lake Toya and the Nakajima islands.

When I went in early May, it was a little too soon for the plum blossoms which were just beginning to bloom.

Plum trees closer to the sun were blooming earlier.

Sobetsu Park and plum blossoms overlooking Lake Toya, Hokkaido.

Picture-taking point

At the top of the park's hill is a lookout deck. However, you can also walk on the slope and see the plum blossoms up close.

Cherry blossoms at the top of Sobetsu Park.

Destination: Nakajima islands

There are four Nakajima islands. Each one has a name. On the far right is the smallest island, named Manjujima island. Also nicknamed Snake Island since they say it has many vipers. 饅頭島

The island on the left is Kannonjima island which is connected to Bentenjima island on the right via a sandbar. The islands are not accessible during winter.

Kannon island, so called because there is a Kannon temple. 観音島

Ezo deer on Benten island.

Benten temple on Benten island

Kannon temple on Kannon island.

Ukimido as seen from Benten island

Transparent water

Heading to Oshima island.

Oshima is the largest Nakajima island.

Oshima island, Nakajima islands.

Boat dock at Oshima island. This island has a small nature museum.

Leaving Oshima.

Ukimido near Benten island

Leaving the Nakajima islands.

Sculpture: 奥山喜生「回峰」　

Cherry blossoms

Sculpture: 中井延也「シグナル」　　

Cherry blossoms and sculpture

It was pretty sunny, but I still used flash for this shot.

Sculpture: 秋山沙走武「薫風」

Cherry trees almost in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms and the Nakajima islands.

Swan boat too.

Love this transparent water. Makes you feel like canoeing or kayaking to the Nakajima islands.

Carp fish

Sculpture: 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」

Sculpture: Posing for a Photo in May, by 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」

One thing I like about photographing human-figure sculptures is that they are very good at keeping still for my camera.

More cherry blossoms...

Cherry blossoms and Lake Toya with the Nakajima islands.

Toyako Enchi Park, a lakeside picnic area.

Sculpture: Ripple Dance, by 関　正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」

Sculpture in Toyako Enchi Park: Ripple Dance, by 関　正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」

Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川　隆「肖像のある風景」

Aqua-blue water was almost like a tropical ocean...

Finally, cherry blossoms near the lake water...

Lake Toya and cherry blossoms. Shikotsu-Toya National Park

View of Nakajima islands from eastern Lake Toya.

After pushing my bicycle up the long slope from central Sobetsu, I went back on the lakeside road and again went uphill to Sobetsu Park, famous for ume plum trees.