Matsushima is a breathtaking coastal landscape centered around Matsushima Bay in northeastern Miyagi Prefecture. The area is made up of approximately 260 islands of various sizes and is widely known as one of the Three Scenic Views of Japan, together with Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture.
For centuries, Matsushima has attracted visitors with its distinctive scenery of pine-covered islands scattered across calm waters. From a sightseeing boat, visitors can enjoy close-up views of the islands, unusual rock formations, and weathered cliffs, while viewpoints on land offer expansive panoramas across the bay. Because Matsushima looks different depending on where and when you view it, experiencing both a boat cruise and a scenic lookout is an excellent way to appreciate the area.
Matsushima has traditionally been described using the expression “Eight Hundred and Eight Islands”, emphasizing the remarkable number of islands and rocky islets in the bay. Today, approximately 260 islands are generally counted, although the exact number varies depending on how islands and reefs are defined.
The islands of Matsushima Bay were formed over a very long period through tectonic movements and coastal erosion. The area is thought to have originally consisted of hilly land that gradually subsided, allowing seawater to enter and leaving higher areas behind as islands. The lower sections of many islands feature pale to grayish-white rock surfaces carved by the waves, while pine trees grow above them. This combination of rugged rock and green pine is one of the defining characteristics of the Matsushima landscape.
Among the best-known islands are Nio-jima, Kane-jima, Sengan-jima, Kaeru-jima, and Yoroijima. Each has a distinctive shape created by natural forces. A sightseeing cruise provides an opportunity to observe these fascinating formations from the water and appreciate their sculptural beauty up close.
Matsushima is celebrated not only for its natural beauty but also for its long history and close connection with Japanese literature. The area has appeared in Japanese poetry since the Heian period and was known as a utamakura, or a place name associated with poetic imagery. Written records describing the actual scenery of Matsushima also survive from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
One of the most famous historical figures associated with Matsushima is the Edo-period haiku poet Matsuo Basho. In 1689, he visited Matsushima during his famous journey described in The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oku no Hosomichi). Even before setting out, Basho wrote about his anticipation of seeing the moon over Matsushima.
The moon over Matsushima had already been famous for centuries, and many poets and writers visited the area during the Edo period. Even today, the sight of the islands floating beneath a moonlit sky remains one of the most atmospheric experiences in Matsushima.
Matsushima also has a strong historical connection with Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai domain. Important historical sites such as Zuiganji Temple and Godaido Temple are associated with Masamune and the Date family.
This combination of spectacular natural scenery and historical architecture is one of Matsushima’s greatest attractions. Visitors can explore temples and cultural sites while enjoying views of the bay and its islands.
Zuiganji Temple is one of Matsushima’s most important temples and was historically the family temple of the Date clan, the rulers of the Sendai domain. The present buildings were reconstructed under the direction of Date Masamune and are notable for their magnificent architecture incorporating the elaborate decorative style of the Momoyama period.
Inside the temple grounds, visitors can admire richly decorated sliding-door paintings, architectural details, and other artistic elements. The temple offers a different kind of beauty from the surrounding natural landscape, with an atmosphere that is both luxurious and dignified.
Entsuin Temple stands immediately west of Zuiganji Temple. It enshrines Mitsumune, the second son of Date Tadamune, the second lord of the Sendai domain. The peaceful temple grounds feature beautiful gardens and a tranquil atmosphere characteristic of Zen temples.
The temple’s mausoleum, Sankeiden, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Some of its decorative elements also show influences from Western culture, making it an especially interesting site for visitors interested in the history of Japanese art.
In autumn, the temple grounds are surrounded by brilliant foliage. During certain periods, evening illumination events create a magical atmosphere that is very different from the daytime scenery.
Godaido Temple is one of the most recognizable historic landmarks in Matsushima. According to tradition, it was founded in 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. It later became known as Godaido after Jikaku Daishi enshrined the Five Wisdom Kings, or Goda Myoo, there.
The present building was reconstructed by Date Masamune and is considered a valuable surviving example of Momoyama-period architecture in the Tohoku region. Standing on a small island just offshore, the temple blends beautifully with the surrounding sea and islands. Its distinctive setting makes it one of the places visitors should not miss when exploring Matsushima.
Kanrantei is traditionally said to have been part of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle before being given by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Date Masamune. It was later moved to Matsushima by Date Tadamune, where it was used by successive lords of the Sendai domain as a place to escape the summer heat and enjoy moon viewing.
Today, visitors can enjoy matcha green tea while looking across Matsushima Bay. It is an ideal place to slow down and experience both the history of the building and the beauty of the surrounding scenery.
Oshima Island is an important site for understanding the religious history of Matsushima. The area was once known as the “Koya of Oshu” and served as a sacred place where prayers and memorial services for the dead were performed.
Numerous caves were carved into the island’s tuff rock, and traces of religious practices, including memorial wooden tablets and statues of Jizo, remain today. Tradition says that there were once as many as 108 caves. Exploring these cave ruins provides a glimpse into the spiritual traditions of Matsushima that cannot be understood from its scenery alone.
For a broader perspective of Matsushima Bay, visit the four scenic viewpoints collectively known as the Four Great Views of Matsushima. Each offers a different perspective of the bay, and they are traditionally named Sokan, Reikan, Yukan, and Ikan, reflecting the character of their respective landscapes.
Otakamori is a 105.8-meter-high peak on Miyato Island in Higashimatsushima City. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a wide panorama of the islands scattered throughout Matsushima Bay and the spectacular landscape of Oku-Matsushima.
The islands appear almost like a miniature garden spread across the sea. At sunset, the scenery becomes particularly beautiful as the islands and water are bathed in warm evening light.
Mount Tomiyama rises to 116.8 meters and is home to Daigyoji Temple and Tomiyama Kannon. Surrounded by cedar and pine trees, the summit provides a peaceful setting from which to view Matsushima Bay.
The site is also associated with Emperor Meiji, who is said to have visited during his imperial tour of the Tohoku region in 1876. Its combination of history, spirituality, and scenery makes it a rewarding viewpoint for visitors seeking a quieter side of Matsushima.
Ogidani is a scenic viewpoint at an elevation of 55.8 meters. The name is traditionally said to come from the appearance of an inlet of Matsushima Bay spreading out like an open folding fan.
Rather than simply offering a wide panorama, Ogidani is known for its quiet and atmospheric scenery. Fresh greenery in spring and colorful foliage in autumn add seasonal beauty to the landscape.
Mount Tamonzan is a 55.6-meter-high viewpoint in Shichigahama Town. From here, visitors can see waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, ships traveling through Shiogama Port, and the islands of Matsushima Bay.
The expansive view of the open sea gives Mount Tamonzan a more dynamic character than the other three viewpoints, allowing visitors to experience a different side of the region’s coastal landscape.
One of the classic ways to experience Matsushima is by taking a sightseeing cruise around Matsushima Bay. From the water, visitors can see rock formations and the lower sections of islands that are difficult to appreciate from land.
There are several cruise options, including regular routes around the bay, one-way cruises connecting Matsushima and Shiogama, and smaller sightseeing boats. This makes it possible to choose a cruise according to your schedule and preferred travel style.
As the boat moves through the bay, distinctive islands such as Nio-jima, Kane-jima, and Katsura-jima appear one after another. The constantly changing scenery is one of the highlights of a Matsushima cruise.
In Oku-Matsushima, sightseeing boats also travel through Sagakei Gorge, where visitors can enjoy a dramatic ria coastline with a different character from central Matsushima Bay. Smaller boats may also provide closer views of sea caves and other formations created by coastal erosion.
Matsushima was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, with sightseeing boats, piers, and other facilities suffering damage. At the same time, many of the islands and pine trees escaped the worst of the destruction. Restoration work progressed quickly, and sightseeing boat services resumed in April of the same year.
Today, a visit to Matsushima offers not only an opportunity to appreciate a landscape protected and admired throughout Japanese history, but also a chance to reflect on the region’s recovery following the disaster.
Matsushima has long been celebrated as an excellent destination for moon viewing. Around the time of a full moon, moonlight can create a golden path across the water, gradually changing into shimmering silver reflections as the night progresses.
Places such as Kanrantei offer opportunities to enjoy the moon while looking across Matsushima Bay. The quiet nighttime atmosphere reveals a completely different side of Matsushima from the lively daytime scenery.
The moon over Matsushima was officially recognized as one of the “100 Best Moon-Viewing Sites in Japan” in 2016.
In spring, Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park becomes one of Matsushima’s popular cherry blossom viewing spots. More than 260 cherry trees are planted throughout the park, creating beautiful views where pink blossoms frame Matsushima Bay and its islands.
In autumn, Entsuin Temple, Ogidani, and other locations become covered in vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage. The combination of colorful temple gardens, wooded hills, and islands floating in the bay creates a particularly elegant Matsushima landscape.
Fukuura Island is a roughly six-hectare island in Matsushima Bay connected to the mainland by the striking vermilion-colored Fukuura Bridge.
Walking trails lead through the island, where visitors can encounter a variety of trees, plants, and seasonal flowers. Several locations also provide pleasant views across Matsushima Bay.
Fukuura Island is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience Matsushima at a slower pace, away from the temples and sightseeing boats. A leisurely walk through the greenery provides yet another way to appreciate the natural beauty of the bay.
Matsushima is famous not only for its scenery but also for its fresh seafood and local cuisine. Oysters are among the area’s signature delicacies, and visitors can enjoy them in a variety of ways, including grilled oysters and other seasonal oyster dishes.
During winter, special cruises may combine sightseeing around the bay with oyster hot pot, allowing visitors to enjoy Matsushima’s scenery and one of its seasonal specialties at the same time.
The appeal of Matsushima goes far beyond its beautiful islands. Its attractions include a remarkable multi-island coastal landscape formed over countless years, religious traditions dating back to the Heian period, literary connections with famous Japanese poets, and historic temples and buildings associated with Date Masamune.
There are many ways to experience Matsushima: from the sea aboard a sightseeing boat, from a mountain summit overlooking the bay, from the grounds of a historic temple, or beneath the moon, cherry blossoms, or autumn foliage. Each setting reveals a different expression of this famous landscape.
Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, is an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience both natural beauty and Japanese history and culture. By taking a sightseeing cruise, visiting historic sites such as Godaido and Zuiganji, and viewing Matsushima Bay from one of its scenic viewpoints, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of this extraordinary coastal destination.
5 minutes on foot from Matsushima-kaigan Station on the Senseki Line
10 min. by car from Matsushima-kaigan IC on Sanriku Expressway
50 min. by boat from Marine Gate Shiogama, sightseeing boat