Matsushima

Travel Reports by jioruji

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July 21, 2015 - Matsushima

Miyajima was for a long time on my to-do list. When I made a Tohoku tour in 2010 I skipped it in favor of Akita which I kind of regretted until this day. Realizing that Matsushima is kind of a tourist circus I could temper my expectations though. Also the weather was a bit cloudy and as I just had finished the same day a week of hard physical work I was kind of tired.

I decided to take the Matsushima Bay Cruise ship which departs from Shiogama and ends at Matsushima. Even though the cloudy weather somewhat disturbed the view, some of these eroded rock islands are truly impressive. I recommend that everyone gets out of the comfortable seats of the ship to have a way better view from the rear of the ship.
Once arrived in Matsushima I walked along the coast and paid to enter Fukuura Island. This island�fs walking trails were shorter than I imagined, but nevertheless it was very nice with some clear vistas and not many visitors. Walking a bit back I also entered Oshima Island which had some quiet benches for peace of mind. The nearby road works were kind of disturbing though. I did not feel to enter the Zuiganji Temple which was under construction nor was I in the mood to enter the tea house. I did take a short walk to the Godaido though, which was nice but not special in any way.

I actually wanted to hike to a nice viewing spot nearby in Higashi-Matsushima, but as I was really physically tired I just walked to the station and got back to my hotel.

On a clear day I will definitely go back though, as it is easy to understand why this place has become one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.

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List of Posts:
2017/03/11 - Reversible Destiny at Yoro & Ogaki
2017/01/28 - Miyama - Kabuki-no-Sato -
2016/11/26 - Yatsubuchi-no-Taki
2016/11/23 - Takeda Castle Ruins
2016/11/19 - Menfudo Limestone Cave
2016/07/31 - Wagashi in Kyoto
2016/07/23 - Norikura Heights
2016/07/01 - Hakodate
2016/06/30 - Onuma Park
2016/06/29 - Exploring part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park
2016/06/28 - To central Hokkaido
2016/06/27 - Historic Village of Hokkaido
2016/02/03 - Himeji: the real castle and the fake one
2015/09/25 - Izu Peninsula: Atami, Shimoda & Cape Irozaki
2015/07/23 - Sendai
2015/07/22 - Mount Zao
2015/07/21 - Matsushima
2015/05/30 - Climbing Mount Iwawaki
2015/03/22 - Beppu
2015/03/21 - Kunisaki Peninsula
2015/03/20 - Takachiho
2015/03/19 - Kumamoto
2015/01/12 - Satsukiyama - Minoh hike
2014/11/01 - Aizu-Wakamatsu
2014/10/31 - Sadogashima
2014/10/30 - Kurobe Gorge
2014/01/25 - Fushimi Inari hike
2014/01/04 - Hidden Nachi Falls