2025 Matsushima Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)
All Moments About Matsushima
Grilled sasa kamaboko at Abe Kamaboko Matsushima Teramachi Branch in Matsushima, Miyagi
Baked sasa kamaboko in the shape of a bamboo leaf. If you are visiting Matsushima, we highly recommend the "Hand-baked sasa kamaboko experience" at Abe Kamabokoten.
Store name: Abe Kamabokoten Matsushima Teramachi store
Address: 58 Matsushima-cho, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun
Access: Access: About 4 minutes on foot from Matsushima Kaigan Station
Opening hours: 9:00-18:00
Reference budget
Hand-baked sasa kamaboko experience
300 yen (tax included) per session
Time required: About 10 minutes
*Reservations not required
Purchase sasa kamaboko and bake it yourself. It's up to you how browned you want it to be. There are instructions on how to bake it well, so you can refer to them, or ignore them and bake it as you like. The smell of freshly baked sasa kamaboko is different. I overcooked it, but it was really delicious! I highly recommend trying it😊
#Domestic travel
#Matsushima
#Matsushima gourmet
#Sasakamaboko
#Experience
#Abe Kamaboko Shop
#Miyagi Prefecture
#Gourmet
#Gourmet food
#Tourism
#Matsushima sightseeing
One of most three beautiful bay in 🇯🇵!!
Welcome to Miyagi!! Miyagi is one of unforgettable beautiful place in Japan . Delicious and fresh local food , beautiful costal towns and less tourists make it for me to choose Miyagi to be one of my destinations in Japan . I base in Sendai for those small town day trips to explore the sites .
Today , I made it happened to visit Matsushima. Just 40 mins JR train ride from Sendai .
As usual, I am the early riser,I reach to Matsushima station before the first sightseeing cruise , get ticket near the train station -1000¥ ( ps: if you buy in ferry terminal- 1500¥) . And walk about 7 mins to ferry terminal and start off my day .
Matsushima bay is famous along with Miyajima and Amanohashidate. The bay is dotted by over 200 small islands covered by pine trees..
And also one of the most famous oyster farm ( oysters here are very fresh and cheap , just 100¥ per piece , that meant 1sgd 🤭) . The 🚢 one round took 50 mins and every hourly until 4 pm and If you miss the first cruise 🚢, you will have to Q and wait like 100 plus people pie up, coz all other people come around 10 am plus 😝😝.
From there , I continue to visit some beautiful temples and fukuura island where connected with long red bridge and a good and well designated hiking trail to pavilion to enjoy the whole Matsushima Bay panoramic view . Such a beautiful place to enjoy and relax yourself.
Then came back to main island and have my lunch before continue with others places .
Along the way , I visited Zinganji Temple before walk up to the hill park called Saigyō Modoshi no Matsu Park and enjoy the whole Matsushima bay before back to Sendai . If you are the person like me to prefer landscape and beautiful scenery rather than shopping centre , I would definitely recommend Matsushima as one of your next destinations in Japan . And also can be reach from Tokyo by 2 hours ( including Shinkansen one hours plus and additional 40 mins to Matsushima. Hope you all enjoy !! See you all on the other side of the world 🌎!!
#japan
#naturelover
#solotravel
One of the three most scenic spots in Japan, boat trip to Matsushima Bay
Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture are known as the three most scenic spots in Japan. Arrive at the boat dock and take the Songdao Cruise to experience such beautiful island scenery in person. The boat trip lasts about 50 minutes. You can shuttle through Songdao Bay to enjoy the unique island scenery in the bay. The breeze is gentle and you can experience the beautiful scenery on the shore by boat. Well worth the trip.
#valentine’sdaygoodplace#japantravel #newyear’sgoodplace #japan #japanfreetravel #shipping
Matsushima Bay
Always check the weather forecast and only go on a clear and sunny day!
If you're coming from Sendai, I also recommend taking the ferry (Basho cruise) from Marine Gate Shiogama to Matsushima Bay if you want a way shorter queue.
Japan's Three Greatest Scenic Spots | Matsushima📸️📸️
#Overseas Travel #Japan Travel #Matsudo
The Matsushima area was originally Sendai Hills. Due to the movement of the earth's crust in ancient times, the ground subsided and caused seawater to flow back. The impact of seawater and long-term wind and rain formed archipelagos of different sizes and shapes.
Places worth visiting include three islands connected by bridges with unique scenery. There are also four other scenic spots, namely Ogidani, Toyama, Ōtakamori and Tamon Mountain, which are collectively known as the Four Great Views of Matsushima.
✅ One of the three most representative views in Japan
✅Very popular tourist attractions in the Tohoku region
✅There are about 260 strange rocks and islands connected to form a unique landscape
transportation
From Tokyo, take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train to Sendai, which takes only 90 minutes, and then transfer to the Senseki Line train, which takes about 25 to 40 minutes to reach Matsushima.
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Recommended Themes
Songdo Bea
Songdo Beach
#mynovgetaway#awesomepic#couplestrip#instagramworthydestinations
Matsushima
Matsushima, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is celebrated as one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots, alongside Amanohashidate and Miyajima. This picturesque area comprises over 260 small islands adorned with pine trees, creating a stunning seascape that has inspired poets and artists for centuries.
Key Attractions:
⭐️Godaido Hall: A historic temple offering panoramic views of the bay, known for its intricate architecture and cultural significance.
⭐️Zuiganji Temple: Established in 828 AD, this Zen Buddhist temple is renowned for its exquisite interiors and serene atmosphere.
⭐️Fukuurajima Island: Accessible via a 252-meter-long red bridge, this island features walking trails amidst lush greenery, providing visitors with immersive nature experiences.
Activities:
• Sightseeing Cruises: Various boat tours allow visitors to navigate through the bay, offering close-up views of the islands and their unique rock formations.
• Local Cuisine: Matsushima is famous for its fresh seafood, particularly oysters, which can be savored in numerous local restaurants.
With its blend of natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural experiences, Matsushima remains a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore Japan’s scenic and cultural heritage.
#celebrateit
Sunset at matsushima bay
Nice view from my room. Surreal with the view!
#matsushima
Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Views.
Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, along with Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Miyajima in Hiroshima, is one of Japan's Three Views. Matsushima is renowned for its coastal scenery and approximately 260 islands in Matsushima Bay. Besides boat tours, there are several attractions to visit.
On this trip to Matsushima, in addition to the boat tour, I visited Godaido, Zuiganji Temple, and Entsuin Temple. Along the way, there are many restaurants selling the famous local oysters, and you can also visit the Matsushima Fish Market.
The most famous sightseeing boat in Matsushima is the Niohmaru, which offers a 50-minute tour around Matsushima, showcasing sights such as Nioh Island, Kane Island, and Twin Islands.
It takes about 40 minutes by JR from Sendai, and the attractions are within walking distance from the station. A day trip from Sendai to Matsushima is highly recommended.
Matsushima, Miyagi Shokado Confectionery Shop
#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025
Located opposite the boarding point for the Matsushima patrol boat is an antique tea shop. The first floor is the Matsushima Snow Bamboo House, and you have to go to the second floor to find the fruit shop. It is a century-old shop. I was very lucky that day and was arranged to sit by the window, where I could enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Matsushima coast.
I ordered the signature pudding and honey cake, and a cup of black coffee. The pudding has a classic Japanese tea shop flavor, with slightly bitter caramel sauce drizzled on the harder pudding; the honey cake is made only with wheat, milk, eggs and honey, and has a simple yet monotonous flavor, and has a solid texture.
The store also sells some souvenirs, such as black bean tea and honey biscuits. A trip to Songdo is a good place to rest and relax while enjoying the sea view.
🕰️Business hours: 10:00 - 17:30 (Closed on Tuesdays)
📍Address: 2F, 109, Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture
💞Recommended food: honey cake. pudding
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Recommended Destinations
Sendai 5-Day Travel Guide @ Fukuurabashi Bridge
Fukuurabashi Bridge spans across Matsushima Bay like a crimson ribbon, elegantly connecting the main island with Fukuura Island. It is one of the most breathtaking landmarks along the Matsushima coast. This 252-meter-long 'Encounter Bridge' not only adds a vibrant touch to the blue sea and sky but also creates a stunning contrast with the 260 scattered islands around it, showcasing the unique elegance of Japan's three scenic views. Walking on the bridge, the islands of Matsushima Bay appear like a picturesque poem, with black and red pines adorning the strange rocks, and the shimmering sea reflecting the red eaves of Bentendo Temple in the distance, as if stepping into a Ukiyo-e painting. At sunset, the golden afterglow falls on the bridge, dyeing the sea and sky orange. At this moment, Fukuurabashi Bridge is praised as a 'romantic encounter' scenic spot. After nightfall, the bridge lights up softly, weaving a dreamy night scene with the starry sky, attracting countless travelers to stop and admire. The winding trails on the island lead travelers to explore hidden beaches and observation decks, overlooking the scattered islands like Kuno Island, and experiencing the serene beauty where nature and history blend. This red bridge, bearing the friendship between Taiwan and Japan, interprets the ultimate charm of Matsushima's 'one step, one scene' with its ever-changing seasonal landscapes.
【Miyagi Prefecture】Date Clan's Bodhisattva Temple, Zuiganji Temple.
Zuiganji Temple, built by Date Masamune, is the foremost Zen temple in Oshu, located in the Matsushima area, one of Japan's three most scenic spots. Its official name is 'Matsushima Seiryu-zan Zuigan Enpuku Zenji.'
The temple is easily accessible from the JR station, taking about 10 minutes on foot.
The approach to the temple is lined with a straight row of cedar trees, which are a symbol of the temple. Although about 300 cedars were cut down due to salt damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the current appearance is still very beautiful.
Photography is prohibited inside the temple.
You can enjoy the precious interior.
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information
Facility Name📍Zuiganji Temple
Address📍91 Matsushima Town, Matsushima Town, Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture
Access📍10-minute walk from JR Senseki Line Matsushima Kaigan Station
Admission Fee📍Adults 700 yen / Elementary and Junior High School Students 400 yen
Business Hours📍*Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time
April to September 8:30-17:00
October & March 8:30-16:30
November & February 8:30-16:00
December to January 8:30-15:30
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Matsushima Bay
Matsushima, one of the three most beautiful views in Japan (Nihon Sankei), is located near Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It features over 260 small islands in a bay surrounded by pine trees. Must-see spots include Godaido Hall, Zuiganji Temple, Entsuin Temple, a bay cruise, and Kanrantei Tea House. It is easily accessible from Sendai by JR Senseki Line or JR Tohoku Line, taking about 25-40 minutes. It is suitable for all seasons, especially spring and autumn leaves.
Experience Japanese nature and culture here!
Songdo Zuiganji Temple Five Halls: A perfect fusion of history and natural beauty
#2024 TRAVEL REVIEW #松岛 #日本
Matsushima Godaido is located in Matsushima Town, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It is a temple rich in historical and cultural value. It was built in 807 and the existing one was rebuilt in 1604 during the reign of Date Masamune. 🌿 Surrounding Songdao Bay, there are not only magnificent buildings but also excellent natural scenery.
🌟 Reasons for recommendation:
Beautiful scenery: Wudatang is built on a small island, overlooking Songdao Bay. Whether it is sunrise or sunset, it is intoxicating.
Long history: As a temple with many years of history, it carries a rich cultural background and religious atmosphere. Visitors can not only feel the beauty of nature, but also appreciate the profound historical heritage.
In summary, Songdao Five Halls is a travel experience that combines nature, history and soul, and is worthy of every traveler. 🛶
transportation:
Take the Sengoku Line from Sendai to Matsushima Kaigan Station and walk along the coastline for 10 minutes to reach the red bridge at the entrance to Godaido.
Sendai Matsushima Entsuin⛩️, a quiet temple and beautiful gardens
#2024 TRAVEL REVIEW #日本 #松岛
Songdo Entsu-in Temple is a temple with a profound history in the Songdo area. It has a history of more than a thousand years and is one of the famous Buddhist holy places in the Northeast region. 🌿When I visited, I was attracted by the peaceful atmosphere and exquisite gardens of the temple. Stepping into Enton Temple, you feel as if you have traveled through time and feel a sense of ancient wisdom and tranquility.
The gardens in the temple are beautiful and picturesque, with different scenery in each season. Autumn is the time when the red leaves are at their most spectacular. No matter when you come, you can feel the beauty of nature. I visited in mid-December, which happened to be the end of the maple leaf season. You can imagine how wonderful it will be to visit when the maple leaves are in full bloom. beautiful. 🍁
I particularly like the Zen feel of Enton-in Temple. It is a good place to relax and settle down your thoughts. If you want to escape the busy urban life and experience a spiritual baptism, Entsu-in Temple is definitely an attraction not to be missed!
A famous Matsushima restaurant where you can eat freshly grilled sasakama!
We would like to introduce "Abe Kamaboko Matsushima Teramachi Store", a long-established store founded in 1935!
This store is located next to the Hagino Tsuki and Zunda Shake stores, so it is not only convenient for purchasing souvenirs, but also a store where you can experience hand-grilling sasakama for 300 yen each✨
There is an extra-large stove in the center of the store, and it is always bustling with tourists!
You turn the sasakama over for 3 to 5 minutes to get a delicious sear.
Freshly grilled sasakama that you grew yourself are twice as delicious❣️
They also offer chilled products and delivery services for gifts!
Sendai to Matsushima is full of delicious food
You want to enjoy it without missing out✨
I think this is a hidden gem among the chain stores
without long wait times👍
Please try the delicious authentic kamaboko☺️
📍Address: 58 Matsushimacho, Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture
🕰️Business hours: 9:00-18:00
#FritabiWinter
#0yenTrip
Visit Matsushima Imperial Villa!
#0yentravelnovember
This facility, which is attracting attention as a new landmark for Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Views, has many attractive spots, including a rikyu garden that represents Matsushima Bay, a rooftop garden, a museum, and a restaurant, with the theme of "Let's get an experience you've never experienced before."
Matsushima Rikyu, a Japanese garden that represents Matsushima Bay
Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu Museum, which introduces Matsushima Bay, the Tohoku region, and the origins of the island nation of Japan
Picnic in the Sky, a rooftop garden overlooking Matsushima Bay
Hamayaki Grill Rikyu, where you can taste carefully selected seafood
There are also plenty of activities and workshops for making things, so you can enjoy experiences you've never experienced before in Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Views.
Matsushima Tourism Kanrantei
#0yentravelnovember
This building is a part of Fushimi Momoyama Castle, bestowed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Date Masamune during the Bunroku era. It was moved to the domain residence in Shinagawa, Edo, and then moved here by the second domain lord, Tadamune, without changing a single stone.
Currently, Kanrantei serves matcha tea and other drinks, so you can relax and unwind from your travels.
■Admission fee
200 yen for adults, 150 yen for high school and university students, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students
The children's song "Donguri Korokoro" was written by Matsushima-cho native Aoki Noriyoshi during the Taisho era when he was working at the Ministry of Education, in memory of his childhood in Matsushima.
There is a monument to the song on the grounds of Kanrantei.
Matsushima: Searching for beautiful autumn leaves
Matsushima, about a 50-minute train ride from Sendai Station, is a famous tourist destination that is counted among the Three Views of Japan, but the autumn leaves are especially beautiful.
The red, green, and yellow trees create a wonderful gradation that delights the eyes of visitors.
After viewing the autumn leaves, my personal favorite plan is to take a sightseeing boat and watch the sunset 😌
▶︎Notes
☀︎ Matsushima can be explored on foot, so you don't need a car.
☀︎ There are plenty of dining options, from restaurants where you can eat delicious seafood bowls to restaurants where you can eat while walking around, so it's also recommended for eating while walking around!
#DomesticTravelRecord #MatsushimaTourism #Seafood #AutumnLeafSpots #Miyagi #Matsushima #AutumnTrip #AutumnTrip
Top 3 views of Japan at Matsushima!
Matsushima is so calming. Went during mid Nov 2024 winter. Weather was cold & perfect. Sun was glaring hot. The view is stupendous. Imagine looking at that view when you are having your meals. Air is fresh. Views are breathtaking. Woke up at 530 to catch the sunrise at 615. Took awhile to walk out but we caught the sunrise right at the red bridge. Explore the island at the other end of the bridge & the views are worth waking up so early for!
For lunch we walked further down & visited two temples. Godaido & Zuiganji. The trees are so tall & straight. Red leaves were starting to sprout. Was a short trip but I totally enjoyed my walks there. Definitely created fond memories there. What are you waiting for? Go book already!
Matsushima National Treasure Zuiganji Temple Autumn Night Visit
A nighttime autumn worship service has been held for the past few years. I saw a flyer at the tourist information center in Sendai Station and quickly added this place to my itinerary, and it was amazing! Of course, the illuminated scenery and project mapping were wonderful, but the greetings and guidance from the staff who run the place were very good, and I was able to worship comfortably. It was a place that made me think, "I'm glad I went!" If you are going to Miyagi in November, I highly recommend this place. 📍Location: Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture
The fresh seafood in Matsushima
#voyagevibes
From fresh natural tuna to processed products such as dried fish, Miyagi's delicious seafood is available in a rich lineup of more than 1,500, which is attractive. There are dining seats on the second floor, and sushi and vigourous seafood rice bowls where you can taste the fresh ingredients are popular.
Access - About a 10-minute walk from Matsushima Kaigan Station on the JR Sengoku Line
[Matsushima] Visit the night illuminations
I went on a weekend trip with a friend to see the temples in Matsushima lit up during the autumn foliage season.
The lights were moved according to the progression of the leaves, so the lights lit up the leaves nicely, creating a fantastic landscape that was different from daytime.
When I strolled around the temple with the lanterns I was given, I felt like I had wandered into a different world.
Photography is usually prohibited inside the temple, but it was OK during the illuminations, so I took a lot of photos there too lol
It's close to the sea, so be sure to dress warmly when you go!
#0yentravelnovember #matsushima #miyagiprefecture #lightup #matsushimatourism #autumntrip2024 #domestictravel
Matsushima-Miyagi
If anyone comes to visit Sendai, it is recommended to take the train for no more than 40 minutes. Matsushima is a small town located by the sea in Miyagi Prefecture. There are many important places, both temples and shrines. There are famous cherry blossom viewing spots, such as Saikyo Motoshi no Matsu Park / Fish Market / Kanrantei Teahouse. Try tea with mochi. The view in front of you is a beautiful view of many islands. #Get a discount without relying on luck
[Miyagi/Matsushima Hometown Cuisine Umechaya] A nighttime dining experience filled with kindness and deliciousness
We stopped off for dinner at Umechaya, a restaurant serving local cuisine in Matsushima.
The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the restaurant has a warm atmosphere.
An English menu is available for foreign tourists, so anyone can feel at ease.
There are few restaurants open late in the Matsushima area, so this is a rare find.
The tuna dishes in particular were excellent and extremely fresh! I also tried ginkgo nuts for the first time, which are a great snack to go with alcohol, and the aroma was irresistible.
Umechaya, where you can enjoy local flavors, is the perfect spot to end your trip.
If you want to enjoy a relaxing night in Matsushima, be sure to visit!
#0yentravelnovember #miyagiprefecturetourism #matsushimatourism #matsushima
Miyagi Matsushima Island Tour by Boat Part 2: Feeling the Wind and Watching Seagulls Surfing on the Deck
In the second half of the island tour, we went out on the deck to feel the wind and enjoy the breathtaking scenery✨
What was particularly impressive were the seagulls that followed behind the boat!
Riding the wind from the boat, they gracefully soared as if they were surfing, which was adorable to watch.
We could also see the popular Fukuurabashi Bridge from the boat!
To fully enjoy the island tour, don't just sit inside the boat, but step outside and feel the wind!
Experiencing Matsushima's island tour with all five senses is a special experience that will stay in your heart♪
[Matsushima, Miyagi Island Tour by Boat, Part 1: Scenery of islands born from a long history]
We enjoyed island hopping in Matsushima!
Even on a weekday, there were quite a few people on board, and it really is a popular tourist spot✨
Unfortunately, it was cloudy that day, but we were still impressed to see so many islands with unique shapes that were created over many years!
I imagine that on a sunny day, the scenery would be even more beautiful, and I want to go back again.
It was a long boat trip, so at first we sat inside the boat and looked at the islands, but halfway through, we decided to go outside to feel the breeze.
It felt great to feel the breeze directly!
We were overwhelmed by the natural beauty that is unique to Matsushima♪
#0yentravelnovember#Miyagiprefecturetourism #Matsushima
Hidden Gem in Matsushima! Experience History at Oshima for a Special Moment.
Fukuura Bridge is popular in Matsushima, but my favorite is Oshima.
It's a hidden spot with fewer tourists and a tranquil atmosphere!
The red Togetsu Bridge leading to Oshima is magnificent and stands out✨
Moreover, Oshima is a historic place that appears in Matsuo Basho's "Oku no Hosomichi."
Crossing the bridge, you'll find ancient stories and scenery that spread out, allowing you to spend a special time that gently heals your heart.
For those who want to enjoy a leisurely moment while sightseeing in Matsushima, this is a must-visit spot♪
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations Popular Restaurants in Matsushima