thumb|Kameshima

thumb|Kanejima, one of the many famous islands that dot the archipelago

thumb|The view from [[Godaido]]

thumb|Sagakei at Matsushima

thumb|One of the islands of Matsushima

thumb|One of the islands of Matsushima

thumb|Chōmei-ana in Komonejima, about five meters in height, was known in folklore that people who passed through there in a pleasure boat would live three years longer. However it collapsed in the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|Sendai earthquake.]]

thumb|Ojima whose name is [[Utamakura. The red "Togetsukyō Bridge", about twenty meters in length, was wholly lost in the Sendai earthquake. While Bashō did visit Matsushima in Oku no Hosomichi, its only haiku about Matsushima was written by his travel comparison Kawai Sora.

Four views of Matsushima

There are four well-known spots to view the Matsushima, known as the , , , and .

<gallery perrow="2">

Image:matsushima otakamori08Dec07.jpg|Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori

Image:matsushima tomiyama10Mar07.jpg|Beautiful View: The view from Tomiyama

Image:matsushima ogidani23Nov07.jpg|Enchanting View: The view from Ogitani

Image:matsushima tamonsan11Feb07.jpg|Grand View: The view from Tamonzan

</gallery>

Cruise

Tourists can view the islands from up close on cruise boats.

<gallery perrow="3">

Image:Nioujima.jpg|Niōjima

Image:Senganjima.jpg|Senganjima: Masamune Date's favorite island

Image:Komonejima.jpg|Komonejima

Image:Matsushima famous island.jpg|Kanejima

Image:Futagojima.jpg|Futagojima

Image:Misagojima.jpg|Misagojima

Image:Kaerujima.jpg|Kaerujima

Image:Meganejima.jpg|Takashima, also known as Meganejima

</gallery>

thumb|thumbtime=19|(video) Several islands in 2008 before the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|Tōhoku earthquake changed their appearance.]]

Transportation

220px|thumb|right|Scenic view of Matsushima. [[Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Yōshū Chikanobu, 1898]]

The town is only a short distance (thirty minutes, about 14&nbsp;km) from prefectural capital Sendai and is easily accessible by train. Matsushima-Kaigan Station is near the attractions such as Zuiganji and the waterfront. Matsushima Station, on a separate line is on the opposite side of the town.

2011 Tōhoku earthquake

Despite the proximity of Matsushima to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the area was protected by the islands and suffered relatively little damage. The initial tsunami was 3.2 metres (10.5 feet), and the second was 3.8 metres (12.5 feet). Electricity was restored by March 18, water fully restored by April 16 and the Senseki Train Line between Takagimachi Station and Sendai by May 28. Nevertheless, three people were confirmed killed in Matsushima (including by aftershocks), with 18 killed while out of town.

Activities

Around the island travelers can go on a cruise and view the islands up close, and around the Matsushima shore travelers can rent bikes.

See also

  • List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments

References

  • Matsushima Town Tourism Directory

thumb|left|150px|Zuiganji at Matsushima