Matsushima is best known for its serene coastal landscape, where around 260 islands and rocky outcrops dot the calm waters of the bay. This distinctive scenery has long inspired poets, artists, and travelers, earning praise in songs and travel writings from across the centuries.

Among those drawn to Matsushima was Matsuo Basho, widely regarded as Japan’s greatest haiku poet. In Okuno Hosomichi, published in 1702, Basho wrote of his journey through the Tohoku region, noting that one of his reasons for traveling north was his desire to see the moon rising over Matsushima.

In 1714, the scholar Hayashi Shunsai praised Matsushima for its magnificent scenery, a reputation that led it to be recognized as one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views. This distinction has endured for centuries, shaping Matsushima’s place in Japanese cultural history.

Today, Matsushima is a well-developed sightseeing destination, with gift shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks all within about a 20-minute walk from the station. Adding to its appeal is the easy access: Matsushima can be reached directly by train from Sendai, making it an effortless and rewarding day trip.

There are two train routes from Sendai Station to Matsushima: the JR Tohoku Line and the JR Senseki Line. The JR Senseki Line is the more convenient option, taking about 40 minutes one way and costing 420 yen. This line brings you directly to Matsushima-Kaigan Station, which is within a 10-minute walk of the area’s main sightseeing spots.

If you are arriving by air, a direct bus from Sendai Airport to Matsushima-Kaigan Station is also a convenient choice. The journey takes about one hour, costs 1,000 yen one way, and requires no transfers.

Planning to explore Sendai? A day pass can make getting around much easier. Foreign visitors traveling in the Sendai area can purchase the “Sendai Area Pass,” a one-day pass that allows unlimited rides on buses and trains around Sendai, including Matsushima, for 1,320 yen.

The pass can be purchased at the JR EAST Travel Service Center on the second floor by presenting your passport with a “temporary visitor” visa.

If you are planning to visit Matsushima, Yamadera, Sakunami Onsen, and other areas around Sendai over more than one day, the Sendai Marugoto Pass is a better option. Priced at 2,720 yen, it offers the same coverage as the one-day pass but is valid for two consecutive days. For this pass, a passport is not required. It can be purchased at JR Midori no Madoguchi ticket counters in the non-gated area, as well as at the Michinoku Tour Information counter at Sendai Airport.

Before purchasing, be sure to check the available routes, as some buses and areas are not covered by either pass. Full details are available at https://sendaitravelpass.jp/en/.

Now it’s time to start exploring Matsushima. After arriving, head straight for one of the area’s highlights: a sightseeing cruise aboard the boat “Niohmaru,” which takes you through the calm waters of Matsushima Bay and past its iconic pine-covered islands.

Several cruise routes are available, but we recommend the “Matsushima Island Sightseeing Boat Niohmaru Course,” a relaxed journey of about 50 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at any of the four boarding ticket offices in Matsushima Town, including the one located at Matsushima-Kaigan Station.

For this itinerary, buying your ticket at the Matsushima-Kaigan Station sales office is the most convenient option. If you already know your travel date, reserving a ticket online in advance is also a good idea. In either case, tickets must be issued at a sales office before boarding.

Once you have your ticket, make your way to the pier to board the boat. You are welcome to bring your own drinks, and the onboard concession stand also sells the local craft brew, Matsushima Beer.

For the best views and a more relaxed experience, we recommend choosing one of the green seats on the second floor, where you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as it drifts by.

During the cruise, you will pass by Futagojima, a pair of islands standing side by side, and Kanejima, known for the four holes formed by years of erosion. The boat also cruises past Niohjima, the namesake of the Niohmaru, where a striking mudstone formation rises from a base of agglomerate rock, creating a uniquely mysterious shape.

An audio guide is available onboard in both Japanese and English, helping you better appreciate the scenery as you sail through Matsushima Bay.

After enjoying the refreshing sea breeze on the cruise, continue on to Zuiganji Temple, located about a three-minute walk from the boarding area. With its dignified and imposing appearance, the temple is designated as a National Treasure and stands as one of Matsushima’s most important historic landmarks.

Construction of Zuiganji Temple was overseen in 1609 by Date Masamune, the first lord of the Date clan and ruler of the Sendai Domain, which covered present-day Miyagi Prefecture and surrounding areas.

Once you enter from the main gate, head to the alley on the right of the approach to the temple. On the right-hand side is a cave ruin with a stone wall with numerous tombstone carvings. In front of the long stone wall, there are many Kannon and Bodhisattva statues, which gives off a somewhat mystic vibe.

Once you return to the approach to the temple and go past the reception, you will enter the main hall through the temple's kitchen called Kuri. The highlight is the “Kujaku no Ma (Peacock Room)” with the sliding doors with brilliant paintings on a gold background.

In the back of the room, a copper image of Sho Kannon and mortuary tablets of the Date Clan are enshrined. The connecting “Bun-o no Ma” and “Jodan no Ma” are decorated with breathtaking painted sliding doors.

Around lunchtime, we recommend stopping by the restaurant Senshinan, located right next to Zuiganji Temple and just a one-minute walk away. It is a convenient spot to enjoy a meal while sightseeing.

In addition to dining, the shop also sells local Miyagi specialties, including sasa-kamaboko, gyutan products, and traditional kokeshi dolls, making it a good place to pick up souvenirs as well.

Two standout dishes here are especially worth trying. The Anago Tendon features a generously sized piece of anago (conger eel) tempura served over rice, while the Kaki Don is topped with rich, deep-flavored fried oysters gently bound with egg.

Both are well-known Matsushima specialties and are available year-round. That said, anago is at its best in summer, while oysters truly shine in winter, making each season a little different depending on when you visit.

If you still have room for dessert, consider trying Senshinan’s specialty kuzukiri, made from arrowroot starch, or Miyagi’s local favorite, zundamochi, soft rice cakes topped with sweetened mashed green soybeans. The restaurant is also a pleasant place to take a break, even if you are just stopping in for drinks and sweets.

Alongside coffee, the menu includes distinctly Japanese options such as matcha, matcha beer, and amazake, a mildly sweet, low-alcohol sake that pairs well with dessert.

After your meal, take a leisurely walk along the temple path and exit through the main gate. Continue past the gate and along the main street lined with souvenir shops, and in about five minutes you will arrive at Godaido Temple.

The hall sits on a small islet that juts out into Matsushima Bay and is reached by crossing Sukashi Bashi Bridge, a striking red bridge that is one of the area’s most photographed sights. The bridge’s slatted floor allows you to glimpse the sea below as you cross, adding a subtle thrill to the short walk toward the temple.

Godaido Temple, in the center of the island, is a historical structure said to be the oldest Momoyama Period structure in the Tohoku region. The name comes from the enshrined Godai-Myou-o.

If you look carefully under the roof, you can find carvings of snakes and dragons. It is free to visit; however, the gates close at sundown, so make sure you keep track of the time.

About a two-minute walk from Godaido Temple is Matsushima Yukitakeya. Housed in a distinctive black, tower-like building, the first floor is a shop selling a variety of goods, including sundries, sweets, and especially senbei rice crackers.

One highlight is the chance to sample freshly baked, oversized senbei brushed with savory soy sauce, a simple but satisfying snack that makes for a memorable stop along your walk.

The shop’s concept is to provide gifts that express Japanese culture, and the interior is filled with neatly displayed senbei perfect for souvenirs, along with small towels featuring Matsushima-inspired designs.

Be sure to look for the “世界にここだけ” (nowhere else in the world) signs. These mark original Japanese sundries that can only be found at Yukitakeya, making them especially appealing as one-of-a-kind keepsakes.

A popular affordable gift is the “kokeshi chopsticks rest (924 yen).” They are handmade, and each item has a slightly different facial expression. You can use them as intended or even place them as decorations.

Take the train for about 10 minutes from Matsushima-Kaigan Station. Get off at Hon-Shiogama Station and explore Shiogama City. We strongly recommend visiting Shiogama Shrine, with deep roots to the land, and cherished by locals.

In Shiogama you can experience sushi made with Miyagi Prefecture rice and fresh fish caught offshore of Sanriku, which is considered one of the world’s three largest fishing grounds. Make sure to visit long-established brewery where you can sample local sake.

If you have time, we also recommend stopping by the Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium.

From Matsushima-Kaigan Station, take the train for about 20 minutes to Nakanosakae Station, then transfer to the direct shuttle bus to the aquarium.

Inside the spacious aquarium, you can see around 50,000 marine animals representing roughly 300 species. Highlights include the large tank showcasing fish from the Tohoku region and the lively dolphin performance.

This trip is packed with beautiful scenery and the deep history of Matsushima. Beyond the bay cruise, the area also offers plenty to explore, from fresh seafood dining to a rose garden in early summer, as well as Entsu-in Temple, which is especially known for its autumn foliage. Be sure to set aside time to explore Matsushima and enjoy its many sights during your trip to Japan.

Text by: SHOE PRESS