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Sendai Trip, Matsushima

By Shibuya246 · · 1 min read · 17 photos · 16 comments

I took a trip to Sendai last week and visited Matsushima which is said to be one of Japan's three great views along with Miyajima and Amanohashidate.

Matsushima is a group of over 200 small, pine tree islands which provide an interesting landscape. There are boat cruises to some of the islands as well as many temples nearby.

I took a few photos of the area but really did not have enough time to do justice to the scenery.

Sign indicating the 3 famous Japanese landmarksPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/4Shutter1/250sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:38
Sign indicating the 3 famous Japanese landmarks
One of the many colorful wooden bridges leading to the islandsPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length30mmAperturef/4.5Shutter1/250sISO200Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:23
One of the many colorful wooden bridges leading to the islands
Temple on a small islandPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length12mmAperturef/4Shutter1/320sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:40
Temple on a small island

img_1613Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length12mmAperturef/4Shutter1/500sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:39

Fishing Boats in the harbourPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/4Shutter1/1000sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:41
Fishing Boats in the harbour
Some of the hotels and restaurants surrounding the harbourPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length11mmAperturef/4Shutter1/800sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:21
Some of the hotels and restaurants surrounding the harbour
Map of the Temple areaPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length11mmAperturef/4Shutter1/200sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:04
Map of the Temple area
Restaurant near the templePhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length18mmAperturef/4Shutter1/60sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:05
Restaurant near the temple
One of the older buildings acting as a Soba, Oden and Dango eating placePhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/4Shutter1/320sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:06
One of the older buildings acting as a Soba, Oden and Dango eating place
Walking between templesPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/4Shutter1/250sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:09
Walking between temples
Entry to main groundsPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/3.2Shutter1/60sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:56
Entry to main grounds
Inside the grounds. Tall tree coveragePhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/40sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 13:58
Inside the grounds. Tall tree coverage

img_1643Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length8mmAperturef/3.2Shutter1/20sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:18

img_1644Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/30sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:18

img_1647Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length10mmAperturef/3.2Shutter1/8sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 14:19

View back from the station platformPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length10mmAperturef/4Shutter1/640sISO80Taken10 Apr 2009, 15:00
View back from the station platform

Note that if you have lived in Japan long enough then you probably won't even see the telephone, electricity wires in this photo. I tried cropping the pole on the left out of the photo, but the dimension of the image changed completely and it just didn't look like Japan. Sometimes the contrast between things is what defines the true beauty of Japan.

Sendai StationPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/4Shutter1/200sISO80Taken9 Apr 2009, 17:09
Sendai Station

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16 comments

Comments are closed. These are from readers when the post was first published.

  1. Mike

    I went here during my recent trip hitchhiking around Japan last summer. I've seen all 3 of the spectacular views of Japan now! I remember this one well. Is was a very hot day in the sun, wandering around the little islands alone before trudging uphill to join the motorway again. Nice place ^^

  2. Gweb

    Wow! I knew Japan was a beautiful country, but these pictures took me by surprise. I'm a new reader and I found your site via Japansoc.com. I'm very glad that I did. I'm studying abroad this September to Nagoya for an entire year, so I'm trying to find as many blogs as possible to learn more about the country and network with people before I actually get there. Continue the good work and I'll continue reading/commenting.

  3. Shibuya246

    Wow, all 3 places. That is great. I hadn't heard of the places until I visited this one. It was a nice day around 20 degrees for me so I could enjoy the warmth without feeling it too hot. I might try and visit the other 2 places some time.

  4. timt.

    love the feel of the mossy trees, rocks and paths - thanks for the pics!

  5. shibuya246

    Thanks for your comment. I wish I had more time on that day to explore a bit more and take more photos. The contrast between the Islands and then the Temple was really great. Recommend a trip if you are near Sendai. Look forward to you coming back and reading more of your comments. Thanks.

  6. Shibuya246

    Nice to hear from you. Thanks

  7. Jamaipanese

    i want to go! great pictures, thanks for sharing

  8. McAlpine

    Lovely snaps. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Shane

    Your post is timely as I will will be off to Sendai during Golden Week. I was about to start doing my research about things to do and see and this will definitely be on my list :)

  10. Shibuya246

    Thanks Shane, nice to hear from you. I will look forward to seeing your photos and reading up on the real story of Matsushima from your blog after Golden Week. I enjoyed Sendai and ate plenty of gyu-tan !

  11. billywest

    The famous Matsushima view can be had from a viewpoint on top of a small mountain overlooking the islands. I used to drive up there with my girlfriend and just chill while taking it in.

  12. shibuya246

    Matsushima is ready and waiting for you. Thanks for comments

  13. Shibuya246

    Thanks Billy. Good memories no doubt. I didn't get to the mountain as I was on limited time. This view definitely deserves a return visit some day. Thanks fro the info.

  14. darg

    Ahh, brings back memories - used to live just across the bay. :P There are actually 4 spots which are supposed to be the best views of the bay, 3 from the Matsushima side and 1 from Shichigahama, a small peninsula/island on the other side of the bay. If anyone else is going to visit I suggest taking the boat tour through the bay which departs from Shiogama and lands in Matsushima. Also if you turn left and go past the temple there through the main gate there's a great garden called Entsuin which I highly recommend. Oysters and Eel are local specialties, and they have a decent local microbrew if you look around the shops as well.

  15. Shibuya246

    Thanks darg. Appreciate you dropping in. That is a really good description of the area and helpful advice for anyone visiting. Thanks. The microbrew sounds like a good spot to check out.

  16. Shibuya246

    Thanks. I'll keep the camera close by when I make another trip.