 Most viewed - Matsushima-machi 松島町
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Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.437 views
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Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.224 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station209 views
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199 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.139 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.137 views
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Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima112 views
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Shrine on Ojima109 views
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Kanejima105 views
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105 views
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105 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.102 views
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The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.99 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95 views
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THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島94 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. 92 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.91 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.91 views
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These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.91 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.90 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.89 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89 views
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Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.88 views
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The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.88 views
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As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.87 views
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They even sell bird food on the boat.87 views
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Godaido 五大堂86 views
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Way to Godaido.86 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station85 views
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Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.85 views
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85 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. 85 views
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Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore. 85 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.85 views
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Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.85 views
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First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.84 views
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84 views
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Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.84 views
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Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.83 views
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Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.83 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).83 views
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Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.83 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.83 views
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82 views
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Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.82 views
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This was my favorite island in Matsushima.82 views
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The first bridge to Godaidojima island.82 views
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Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.82 views
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Boar82 views
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Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.82 views
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Godaido 五大堂81 views
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About Zuiganji temple caves.81 views
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81 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.80 views
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Second bridge to Godaido.80 views
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Monkey80 views
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This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.80 views
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About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.80 views
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Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.80 views
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Nice walking path on Ojima80 views
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Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"79 views
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79 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.79 views
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Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.79 views
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Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.79 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.79 views
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78 views
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On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.78 views
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Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.77 views
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77 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.77 views
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Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂77 views
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76 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.76 views
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Fukuura island offers nice walking trails and a few lookout points from where you can see other islands.76 views
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Cave of graves.76 views
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Entsuin"s caves76 views
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76 views
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76 views
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About Kanrantei75 views
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Ojima is a small island, but larger than Godaido.75 views
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Chuo Hiroba, where tour groups meet.74 views
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Bridge from Fukuura island back to mainland.74 views
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74 views
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74 views
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74 views
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way to Godaido73 views
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Samurai armor and the Date crest73 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.73 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.73 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.73 views
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Ojima is dotted with numerous little caves and stone carvings of Kannon. 73 views
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72 views
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Near the boat pier is this a large park called Chuo Hiroba.72 views
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Matsushima Monument near Godaido72 views
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Bridge to Fukuura island is named Deai Hashi. 出会い橋72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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Near the Hondo hall is this building called the Kuri.72 views
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72 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.72 views
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Ojima caves72 views
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71 views
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Entrance to Kanrantei.71 views
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71 views
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Gate to Zuiganji temple.71 views
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71 views
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Notice the steps on the left.71 views
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Monument for railroad workers.71 views
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At the Zuiganji temple entrance is a statue of Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.71 views
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Graves inside a cave near the temple entrance.71 views
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71 views
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Kuri was the Zen kitchen. You can go inside, but only in the entrance way. Nothing much to see.71 views
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Zuiganji Art Museum is right acros the Kuri.71 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.71 views
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71 views
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Daihitei hondo main hall of Entsuin. 大悲亭71 views
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71 views
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This island is actually part of Zuiganji temple.71 views
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71 views
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View from Ojima71 views
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About Godaido70 views
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Inside Matsushima Museum70 views
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Folding screen with a painting of Matsushima.70 views
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70 views
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Fukuura island70 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.70 views
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Wooded path to Zuiganji.70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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Entrnce to Zuiganji temple.70 views
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Room built into the rock.70 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.70 views
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Entsuin's Rose Garden バラの庭70 views
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Rose Garden and Daihitei.70 views
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Ojima island is the third island worth visiting in Matsushima.70 views
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Ojima island at Matsushima70 views
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Monuments and stones70 views
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70 views
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Kanrantei69 views
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Original buildings and layout of Kanrantei. 69 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.69 views
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69 views
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Lookout point on Fukuura island.69 views
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69 views
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Renovations have already begun with adjacent buildings. I visited in Aug. 2009.69 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.69 views
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The building will be disassembled and reassembled. They expect to find some hidden historical artifacts during the process.69 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.69 views
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Way to Sankeiden at Entsuin temple.69 views
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69 views
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69 views
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69 views
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View from Ojima.69 views
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Haiku poem by Basho. No doubt that he visited this island too.69 views
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69 views
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Matsushima69 views
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Inside Kanrantei where you can relax and have tea for a fee.68 views
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Folding screens68 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68 views
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Bentendo Hall on Fukuura island.68 views
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This cave is marred by graffiti. Hope the offenders get cursed by the deceased.68 views
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It was early AUg. and hydrangea was still in bloom in Entsuin.68 views
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Entsuin68 views
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68 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67 views
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View from Fukuura island.67 views
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Zuiganji lantern67 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.67 views
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67 views
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Matsushima Green Hiroba is a waterfront park.67 views
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67 views
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67 views
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67 views
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Back to Matsushima Port.66 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. The boat pier is straight ahead.66 views
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View of Matsushima from Kanrantei. 66 views
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66 views
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66 views
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66 views
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66 views
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Path to Zuiganji's main hall. Admission charged.66 views
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Kawara roof tiles.66 views
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66 views
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66 views
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Lookout point66 views
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Kanrantei65 views
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Matsushima Museum at Kanrantei. 65 views
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65 views
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65 views
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