 Most viewed - Matsushima 松島 |
Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.490 views
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Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.271 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station261 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.189 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.187 views
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Shrine on Ojima160 views
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Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima157 views
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Kanejima153 views
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The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.153 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.152 views
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THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島146 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146 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.143 views
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These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.143 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.142 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.142 views
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They even sell bird food on the boat.141 views
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The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.141 views
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Way to Godaido.140 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140 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. 139 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.139 views
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Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.139 views
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Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore. 139 views
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Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.139 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.138 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station136 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. 136 views
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Godaido 五大堂136 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.136 views
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Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.135 views
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The first bridge to Godaidojima island.135 views
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Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.135 views
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Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.135 views
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As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.134 views
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Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.134 views
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Boar134 views
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On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.134 views
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About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.134 views
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Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.133 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.133 views
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Godaido 五大堂133 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).133 views
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First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.132 views
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Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.132 views
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Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.132 views
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Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.132 views
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Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.131 views
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Second bridge to Godaido.131 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.131 views
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This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.131 views
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Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"130 views
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Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.130 views
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This was my favorite island in Matsushima.130 views
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Monkey130 views
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About Zuiganji temple caves.129 views
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Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.128 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.127 views
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Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.125 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.125 views
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Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋125 views
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Nice walking path on Ojima125 views
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Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.124 views
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Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.124 views
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About Kanrantei124 views
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Cave of graves.124 views
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Entsuin"s caves123 views
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Samurai armor and the Date crest122 views
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Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.122 views
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Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.122 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.122 views
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Zuiganji lantern122 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.122 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.122 views
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Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.122 views
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Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei. 121 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.121 views
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Zuiganji Art Museum is right acros the Kuri.121 views
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Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.120 views
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120 views
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At the Zuiganji temple entrance is a statue of Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.120 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.120 views
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Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂120 views
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way to Godaido119 views
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Entrance to Kanrantei.119 views
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Folding screen with a painting of Matsushima.119 views
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Notice the steps on the left.119 views
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Entrnce to Zuiganji temple.119 views
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About Godaido118 views
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Folding screens118 views
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Matsushima Monument near Godaido118 views
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Gate to Zuiganji temple.118 views
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This cave is marred by graffiti. Hope the offenders get cursed by the deceased.118 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.118 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.118 views
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Way to Sankeiden at Entsuin temple.118 views
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Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon. 118 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. 117 views
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Inside Matsushima Museum117 views
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Kuri was the Zen kitchen. You can go inside, but only in the entrance way. Nothing much to see.117 views
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Near the Hondo hall is this building called the Kuri.117 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.116 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.116 views
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View from Fukuura island.116 views
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Monument for railroad workers.116 views
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Graves inside a cave near the temple entrance.116 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.116 views
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Ojima caves116 views
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Matsushima116 views
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Kanrantei115 views
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Renovations have already begun with adjacent buildings. I visited in Aug. 2009.115 views
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Rose Garden and Daihitei.115 views
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It was early AUg. and hydrangea was still in bloom in Entsuin.115 views
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Entsuin115 views
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This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.115 views
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Wooded path to Zuiganji.114 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.114 views
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Daihitei hondo main hall of Entsuin. 大悲亭114 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.114 views
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Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.114 views
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Monuments and stones114 views
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View from Ojima.114 views
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Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.114 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.113 views
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Fukuura island113 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.113 views
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Lookout point on Fukuura island.113 views
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The building will be disassembled and reassembled. They expect to find some hidden historical artifacts during the process.113 views
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Room built into the rock.113 views
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Ojima island at Matsushima113 views
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View from Ojima113 views
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Back to Matsushima Port.112 views
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Kawara roof tiles.112 views
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Lookout point112 views
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Kanrantei111 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111 views
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Path to Zuiganji's main hall. Admission charged.111 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110 views
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Entsuin's Rose Garden バラの庭110 views
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Matsushima Green Hiroba is a waterfront park.109 views
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Matsushima Museum at Kanrantei. 107 views
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