Most viewed - Matsushima-machi 松島町 |
Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.462 views
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Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.243 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station233 views
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216 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.162 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.159 views
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Shrine on Ojima130 views
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Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima130 views
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Kanejima126 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.125 views
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125 views
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The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.123 views
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123 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119 views
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THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島118 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.116 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. 114 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.114 views
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These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.114 views
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The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.114 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.113 views
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Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.113 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.112 views
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Way to Godaido.112 views
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As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.110 views
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They even sell bird food on the boat.110 views
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Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.110 views
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109 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. 108 views
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Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore. 108 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.108 views
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Godaido 五大堂108 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108 views
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First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.107 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station107 views
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Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.107 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.107 views
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Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.106 views
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106 views
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The first bridge to Godaidojima island.106 views
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Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.105 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).105 views
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Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.104 views
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This was my favorite island in Matsushima.104 views
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Godaido 五大堂104 views
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Boar104 views
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This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.104 views
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Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.104 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.103 views
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Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.103 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.103 views
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Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.103 views
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Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.103 views
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Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.103 views
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Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"102 views
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102 views
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Second bridge to Godaido.102 views
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Monkey102 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.102 views
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About Zuiganji temple caves.102 views
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About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.102 views
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101 views
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Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.101 views
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101 views
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Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.101 views
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Nice walking path on Ojima101 views
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Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.100 views
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On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.100 views
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Cave of graves.98 views
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Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.97 views
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About Kanrantei96 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.96 views
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Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.96 views
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way to Godaido95 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.95 views
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Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂95 views
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Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.94 views
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Entsuin"s caves94 views
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94 views
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Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.93 views
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Folding screen with a painting of Matsushima.93 views
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Samurai armor and the Date crest93 views
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Matsushima Monument near Godaido93 views
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Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋93 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.93 views
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Gate to Zuiganji temple.93 views
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93 views
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Notice the steps on the left.93 views
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93 views
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93 views
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Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.93 views
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Monument for railroad workers.92 views
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Graves inside a cave near the temple entrance.92 views
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Zuiganji Art Museum is right acros the Kuri.92 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.92 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.92 views
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Kanrantei91 views
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Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei. 91 views
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Entrance to Kanrantei.91 views
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Inside Matsushima Museum91 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.91 views
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91 views
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91 views
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Entrnce to Zuiganji temple.91 views
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At the Zuiganji temple entrance is a statue of Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.91 views
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91 views
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Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon. 91 views
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Ojima caves91 views
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About Godaido90 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.90 views
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90 views
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This cave is marred by graffiti. Hope the offenders get cursed by the deceased.90 views
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The building will be disassembled and reassembled. They expect to find some hidden historical artifacts during the process.90 views
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Kuri was the Zen kitchen. You can go inside, but only in the entrance way. Nothing much to see.90 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.90 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.90 views
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90 views
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Daihitei hondo main hall of Entsuin. 大悲亭90 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.90 views
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Ojima island at Matsushima90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.89 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.89 views
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89 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.89 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.89 views
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View from Fukuura island.89 views
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Lookout point on Fukuura island.89 views
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Wooded path to Zuiganji.89 views
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Zuiganji lantern89 views
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89 views
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Near the Hondo hall is this building called the Kuri.89 views
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This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.89 views
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View from Ojima89 views
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Folding screens88 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88 views
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Fukuura island88 views
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Renovations have already begun with adjacent buildings. I visited in Aug. 2009.88 views
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Room built into the rock.88 views
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Way to Sankeiden at Entsuin temple.88 views
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Rose Garden and Daihitei.88 views
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Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.88 views
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Monuments and stones88 views
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View from Ojima.88 views
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Matsushima88 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. 87 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.87 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.87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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Back to Matsushima Port.86 views
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Kanrantei86 views
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Matsushima Museum at Kanrantei. 86 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86 views
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86 views
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Path to Zuiganji's main hall. Admission charged.86 views
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Entsuin's Rose Garden バラの庭86 views
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It was early AUg. and hydrangea was still in bloom in Entsuin.86 views
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Entsuin86 views
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Kawara roof tiles.85 views
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Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.85 views
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Lookout point85 views
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Matsushima Green Hiroba is a waterfront park.83 views
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