Image search results - "miyagi"
mt050-20090805_0016.jpg
Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.
mt051-20090805_0023.jpg
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.
mt052-20090805_0024.jpg
First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.
mt053-20090805_0030.jpg
Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.
mt054-20090805_0037.jpg
Matsushima Kaigan Station
mt055-20090805_0038.jpg
Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.
mt056-20090805_0040.jpg
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.
mt057-20090805_0042.jpg
Map of Matsushima near Matsushima Kaigan Station. Places of interest include Ojima island, Matsushima boat cruise, Godaido island, Fukuura island, and Zuiganji temple.
mt100-20090805_0207.jpg
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.
mt101-20090805_0133.jpg
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.
mt102-20090805_0249.jpg
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.
mt103-20090805_0302.jpg
Next to the boat pier is this building selling cruise tickets. No reservations required. You can buy a ticket even 5 min. before departure.
mt104-20090805_0525.jpg
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.
mt105-20090805_0839.jpg
Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.
mt106-20090805_0527.jpg
Inside Nio Maru's lower deck. Comfortable and air-conditioned. The places of interest are explained in Japanese and English during the cruise.
mt107-20090805_0163.jpg
As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.
mt108-20090805_0556.jpg
The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.
mt109-20090805_0566.jpg
They even sell bird food on the boat.
mt110-20090805_0569.jpg
These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.
mt111-20090805_0596.jpg
Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"
mt112-20090805_0605.jpg
The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.
mt113-20090805_0623.jpg
THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島
mt114-20090805_0625.jpg
Kanejima
mt115-20090805_0634.jpg
mt116-20090805_0640.jpg
THe name "Matsushima" of course means "Pine Islands," so you may hear "Matsushima" in other places in Japan wherever there are pine-clad islands.
mt117-20090805_0644.jpg
mt118-20090805_0650.jpg
Another famous and unique island in Matsushima is Niojima, shaped like a Deva King found at the gate of Buddhist temples. 仁王島
mt119-20090805_0662.jpg
mt120-20090805_0669.jpg
Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.
mt121-20090805_0672.jpg
Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.
mt122-20090805_0677.jpg
mt123-20090805_0686.jpg
mt124-20090805_0709.jpg
mt125-20090805_0712.jpg
mt126-20090805_0721.jpg
This was my favorite island in Matsushima.
mt127-20090805_0743.jpg
Back to Matsushima Port.
mt128-20090805_0283.jpg
Matsushima Rest House is next to the pier, where you can buy cruise tickets or just rest on chairs. Tourist info counter also provided.
mt129-28_Matsushima_Mutsu.jpg
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.
mt150-20090805_0459.jpg
Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.
mt151-20090805_0460.jpg
Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.
mt152-20090805_0303.jpg
Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.
mt153-20090805_0463.jpg
Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore.
mt154-20090805_0293.jpg
Godaido is another famous and storied icon of Matsushima. In any painting or depiction of Matsushima, Godaido is always there.
mt155-20090805_0758.jpg
Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.
mt156-20090805_0747.jpg
Godaido 五大堂
mt157-20090805_0750.jpg
Godaido 五大堂
mt158-20090805_0475.jpg
Way to Godaido.
mt159-20090805_0480.jpg
mt160-20090805_0476.jpg
way to Godaido
mt161-20090805_0485.jpg
The first bridge to Godaidojima island.
mt162-20090805_0488.jpg
Second bridge to Godaido.
mt163-20090805_0499.jpg
Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.
mt164-20090805_0503.jpg
Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.
mt165-20090805_0501.jpg
About Godaido
mt166-20090805_0510.jpg
Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.
mt167-20090805_0511.jpg
Monkey
mt168-20090805_0513.jpg
Boar
mt200-20090805_0290.jpg
Another noted building in Matsushima is Kanrantei, perched on a low hill. Now it is a rest place where they serve tea.
mt201-20090805_0265.jpg
About Kanrantei
mt202-20090805_0263.jpg
Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei.
mt203-20090805_0270.jpg
Kanrantei
mt204-20090805_0264.jpg
Entrance to Kanrantei.
mt205-20090805_0214.jpg
Kanrantei
mt206-20090805_0215.jpg
Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.
mt207-20090805_0254.jpg
View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.
mt208-20090805_0244.jpg
View of Matsushima from Kanrantei.
mt209-20090805_0221.jpg
Matsushima Museum at Kanrantei.
mt210-20090805_0225.jpg
Inside Matsushima Museum
mt211-20090805_0226.jpg
Samurai armor and the Date crest
mt212-20090805_0232.jpg
Folding screens
mt213-20090805_0238.jpg
Folding screen with a painting of Matsushima.
mt214-20090805_0234.jpg
Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.
mt215-20090805_0266.jpg
mt216-20090805_0762.jpg
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
mt217-20090805_0768.jpg
Matsushima Monument near Godaido
mt218-20090805_0770.jpg
mt219-20090805_0473.jpg
This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.
mt250-20090805_0781.jpg
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
mt251-20090805_0784.jpg
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.
mt252-20090805_0786.jpg
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.
mt253-20090805_0787.jpg
Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋
mt254-20090805_0789.jpg
Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.
mt255-20090805_0795.jpg
Fukuura island
mt256-20090805_0797.jpg
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).
mt257-20090805_0800.jpg
mt258-20090805_0804.jpg
mt259-20090805_0806.jpg
mt260-20090805_0810.jpg
View from Fukuura island.
mt261-20090805_0815.jpg
mt262-20090805_0805.jpg
Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.
mt263-20090805_0722.jpg
Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.
mt264-20090805_0818.jpg
Lookout point on Fukuura island.
mt265-20090805_0837.jpg
Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.
mt300-20090805_0306.jpg
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.
mt301-20090805_0307.jpg
Gate to Zuiganji temple.
mt302-20090805_0308.jpg
Wooded path to Zuiganji.
mt303-20090805_0310.jpg
On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.
mt304-20090805_0317.jpg
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.
mt305-20090805_0329.jpg
About Zuiganji temple caves.
mt306-20090805_0328.jpg
mt307-20090805_0316.jpg
mt308-20090805_0331.jpg
mt309-20090805_0333.jpg
mt310-20090805_0335.jpg
mt311-20090805_0323.jpg
mt312-20090805_0338.jpg
mt313-20090805_0339.jpg
mt314-20090805_0340.jpg
This cave is marred by graffiti. Hope the offenders get cursed by the deceased.
mt315-20090805_0343.jpg
mt316-20090805_0347.jpg
mt317-20090805_0350.jpg
Notice the steps on the left.
mt318-20090805_0353.jpg
Monument for railroad workers.
mt319-20090805_0354.jpg
Entrnce to Zuiganji temple.
mt320-20090805_0399.jpg
At the Zuiganji temple entrance is a statue of Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.
mt321-20090805_0400.jpg
About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.
mt322-20090805_0391.jpg
Cave of graves.
mt323-20090805_0390.jpg
Graves inside a cave near the temple entrance.
mt324-20090805_0392.jpg
mt325-20090805_0355.jpg
Path to Zuiganji's main hall. Admission charged.
mt326-20090805_0388.jpg
From Sept. 2009, Zuiganji's Hondo main hall will be closed for major renovation. The construction offices are on the left.
mt327-20090805_0387.jpg
Zuiganji lantern
mt328-20090805_0363.jpg
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.
mt329-20090805_0368.jpg
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.
mt330-20090805_0366.jpg
The building will be disassembled and reassembled. They expect to find some hidden historical artifacts during the process.
mt331-20090805_0374.jpg
Renovations have already begun with adjacent buildings. I visited in Aug. 2009.
mt332-20090805_0375.jpg
Kawara roof tiles.
mt333-20090805_0369.jpg
mt334-20090805_0358.jpg
Near the Hondo hall is this building called the Kuri.
mt335-20090805_0378.jpg
Kuri was the Zen kitchen. You can go inside, but only in the entrance way. Nothing much to see.
mt336-20090805_0383.jpg
Zuiganji Art Museum is right acros the Kuri.
mt337-20090805_0382.jpg
Room built into the rock.
mt338-20090805_0386.jpg
mt339-20090805_0365.jpg
mt400-20090805_0401.jpg
mt401-20090805_0402.jpg
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.
mt402-20090805_0454.jpg
Map of Entsuin built in 1646 by Date Tadamune, second lord of Sendai (after Masamune). He built it for his deceased son Mitsumune.
mt403-20090805_0404.jpg
Date Mitsumune died at age 19 in Edo Castle, rumored to have been poisoned. His talents and abilities were feared by the Tokugawa.
mt404-20090805_0403.jpg
mt405-20090805_0406.jpg
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.
mt406-20090805_0408.jpg
mt407-20090805_0414.jpg
mt408-20090805_0448.jpg
Way to Sankeiden at Entsuin temple.
mt409-20090805_0433.jpg
Sankeiden hall at Entsuin temple is an Important Cultural Property. This is a mausoleum for Date Mitsumine. 三慧殿
mt410-20090805_0436.jpg
Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.
mt411-20090805_0437.jpg
Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.
mt412-20090805_0441.jpg
Entsuin"s caves
mt413-20090805_0443.jpg
mt414-20090805_0418.jpg
Daihitei hondo main hall of Entsuin. 大悲亭
mt415-20090805_0420.jpg
Inside Entsuin's Hondo hall called Daihitei. It used to be the summer home of Mitsumune. Dedicated to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy.
mt416-20090805_0425.jpg
Entsuin's Rose Garden バラの庭
mt417-20090805_0428.jpg
Rose Garden and Daihitei.
mt418-20090805_0430.jpg
It was early AUg. and hydrangea was still in bloom in Entsuin.
mt419-20090805_0415.jpg
Entsuin
mt420-20090805_0457.jpg
Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂
mt450-20090805_0300.jpg
mt451-20090805_0043.jpg
Matsushima Green Hiroba is a waterfront park.
mt452-20090805_0277.jpg
Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.
mt453-20090805_0062.jpg
Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.
mt454-20090805_0067.jpg
Ojima island at Matsushima
mt455-20090805_0204.jpg
mt456-20090805_0079.jpg
Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.
mt457-20090805_0088.jpg
Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon.
mt458-20090805_0094.jpg
mt459-20090805_0090.jpg
mt460-20090805_0084.jpg
mt461-20090805_0099.jpg
mt462-20090805_0104.jpg
Ojima caves
mt463-20090805_0114.jpg
Monuments and stones
mt464-20090805_0115.jpg
mt465-20090805_0116.jpg
mt466-20090805_0120.jpg
This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.
mt467-20090805_0141.jpg
mt468-20090805_0143.jpg
mt469-20090805_0151.jpg
mt470-20090805_0147.jpg
Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.
mt471-20090805_0153.jpg
mt472-20090805_0123.jpg
View from Ojima.
mt473-20090805_0168.jpg
mt474-20090805_0173.jpg
mt475-20090805_0177.jpg
View from Ojima
mt476-20090805_0181.jpg
Matsushima
mt477-20090805_0182.jpg
Nice walking path on Ojima
mt478-20090805_0187.jpg
Lookout point
mt479-20090805_0183.jpg
mt480-20090805_0190.jpg
mt481-20090805_0192.jpg
Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima
mt482-20090805_0194.jpg
Shrine on Ojima
mt483-20090805_0195.jpg
mt484-20090805_0197.jpg
mt485-20090805_0842.jpg
Matsushima Kaigan Station
mt486-20090805_0843.jpg
Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.
se050-20090804_9174.jpg
JR Sendai Station on the west side (Nishi-guchi). This is the main side. There is a tourist information office inside the station where you can pick up maps and pamphlets, maybe in English too.
se051-20090807_2461.jpg
Inside Sendai Station, heading to train platforms.
se052-20090805_0846.jpg
se053-20090805_0022.jpg
Trains in Tohoku have a door open/close button to save on air-conditioning or heating.
se054-20090805_0013.jpg
Morning rush hour at Sendai Station. People heading for the exit inside Sendai Station.
se055-20090804_9232.jpg
Outside Sendai Station, they are constructing the Tozai subway line due to open in 2015.
se056-20090807_3083.jpg
Poster for the new Tozai subway line in Sendai to open in 2015.
se057-20090805_0006.jpg
Subway stations on the existing subway line in Sendai.
se058-20090805_0007.jpg
Kotodai Koen subway station in Sendai. Modern and clean subway.
se059-20090805_0009.jpg
Subway train in Sendai.
se060-20090808_3088.jpg
Inside Sendai subway train.
se061-20090805_0010.jpg
Sendai subway station
se062-20090808_3089.jpg
On escalators in Sendai, they stand on the right side. (Not on the left side as in Tokyo.)
se063-20090805_0012.jpg
Bus stop outside Sendai Station.
se064-20090806_1228.jpg
Sendai City Loop bus goes to the major tourist spots in Sendai. Most convenient to get to Sendai Castle. 250 yen per ride or 600 yen for a day pass.
se065-20090806_1229.jpg
Route of the Sendai Loop bus. Get off at Sendai-joshi to see Sendai Castle. The bus will take you all the way to the top of the hill where the castle is. Much easier than walking up.
se200-20090806_1348.jpg
Map of Sendai Castle site. It's quite a large site, with museums and other facilities occupying the former castle site. The Honmaru (partially hidden) is on the right of the map.
se201-20090806_1383.jpg
Site of Nenomon Gate. This leads to Sendai City Museum in the castle area called Sannomaru. 子門
se202-20090806_1375.jpg
Goshikunuma Swamp is a moat of Sannomaru.
se203-20090806_1384.jpg
Sculpture in Sannomaru.
se204-20090806_1372.jpg
Stone wall at the site of Otemon Gate.
se205-20090806_1368.jpg
Waki-yagura turret at the site of Otemon Gate.
se206-20090806_1366.jpg
Sendai Castle's Waki-yagura turret at the site of Otemon Gate. Reconstructed in 1965. We cannot enter it. 脇櫓
se207-20090806_1349.jpg
About the Waki-yagura turret.
se208-20090806_1357.jpg
The original Otemon Gate was here, between the Waki-yagura on the right and stone wall on the left.
se209-20090806_1360.jpg
About the Otemon Gate.
se210-20090806_1356.jpg
se211-20090806_1346.jpg
Waki-yagura turret at Sendai Castle.
se212-20090806_1352.jpg
Statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga acros the road from the Waki-yagura.
se213-20090806_1363.jpg
Statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga, a samurai retainer of Date Masamune who sent him to the Vatican in 1613. 支倉常長
se214-20090806_1343.jpg
As you climb up the Aobayama, you pass through the sites of former gates. This one was Nakanomon Gate. 中門
se215-20090806_1328.jpg
Climb further and you'll reach large stone walls, called the Honmaru northern stone wall.
se216-20090806_1330.jpg
Corner of Honmaru northern stone wall.
se217-20090806_1329.jpg
se218-20090806_1336.jpg
The area has these nice multi-lingual plaques explaining the points of interest with a map included.
se219-20090806_1337.jpg
About the Honmaru northern stone wall.
se220-20090806_1234.jpg
Honmaru northern stone wall.
se221-20090806_1235.jpg
Next to the Honmaru northern stone wall is this large torii gate and steps going up to the Honmaru, the castle's central keep. This place in front of the torii was a parking lot before. Glad that parking is no longer allowed here.
se222-20090806_1238.jpg
Sendai Castle site's torii. The torii is here because there's a Shinto shrine in Honmaru.
se223-20090806_1308.jpg
Map of the original Sendai Castle also called Aobajo or Aoba Castle since the castle is on Aobayama or Mt. Aoba. Sumo fans might know the name Aobajo, a sumo wrestler from Sendai active in the 1980s.
se224-20090806_1246.jpg
Honmaru is a large flat area overlooking central Sendai. This was where the castle palace was, the castle lord's actual residence.
se225-20090806_1292.jpg
Lookout point on Sendai Castle's Honmaru.
se226-20090806_1249.jpg
View from Sendai Castle's Honmaru. Sendai has over a million people. On clear days, you can also see the Pacific Ocean.
se227-20090806_1251.jpg
View from Sendai Castle's Honmaru.
se228-20090806_1258.jpg
Sendai Castle's Honmaru.
se229-20090806_1252.jpg
View from Sendai Castle's Honmaru.
se230-8179-3.jpg
From the city, this is what the castle site looks like on Aobayama. You can see the lookout deck.
se231-8179-2.jpg
Waki-yagura as seen from afar.
se232-20090806_1280.jpg
Statue of Lord Date Masamune at Sendai Castle's Honmaru. Very popular for picture-taking.
se233-20090806_1260.jpg
Statue of Lord Date Masamune at Sendai Castle's Honmaru. One of the most popular and famous samurai of all time.
se234-20090806_1283.jpg
Statue of Lord Date Masamune at Sendai Castle's Honmaru.
se235-20090806_1276.jpg
If you look closely, you can that see one of his eyes is blind.
se236-20090806_1242.jpg
Sample stone work on a castle wall.
se237-20090806_1248.jpg
These are original Edo Period stones removed when the stone wall was renovated. These stones could not be reused.
se238-20090806_1303.jpg
Sample stone work on a castle wall.
se239-20090806_1307.jpg
Triangular stones are used.
se240-20090806_1306.jpg
About the sample stone walls.
se241-20090806_1265.jpg
Sendai Castle marker
se242-20090806_1295.jpg
Monument for the war dead.
se243-20090806_1297.jpg
Monument for Doi (Tsuchii) Bansui who created the song, "Kōjō no tsuki" (荒城の月 lit. "Moonlit castle ruins") which is about Sendai Castle. 土井 晩翠
se244-20090806_1312.jpg
Also in the Honmaru area is Gokoku Shrine decorated here during the Tanabata Star Festival in early Aug. 宮城縣護國神社
537 files on 3 page(s) 1