Matsushima Bay
Matsushima Bay
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4.0
583 reviews
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Construct37
Whittier, CA1,114 contributions
Nov 2022
Matsushima Bay is one of Japan's three most scenic places (Nihon Sankei) and I have to admit that is has earned the designation. The hundreds of islands are best viewed by taking a sightseeing cruise but they can certainly be enjoyed for the shore as you walk along the peaceful town. Matsushima Bay is easily accessed via train just and hour from JR Sendai Station. Take the JR Senseki Line to Matsushima Kaigan Station.
Written 22 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
k_matsu132
Kushiro, Japan22,595 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Matsushima is one of Japan's Three Most Viewed Places. We stayed at a hotel in Matsushima and enjoyed Matsushima over two days.
Since it is one of Japan's Three Most Viewed Places, we booked a hotel built on high ground overlooking Matsushima Bay and enjoyed the spectacular views of Matsushima from Otakamori Observatory and Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park in Oku Matsushima. Finally, we toured the islands of Matsushima on a sightseeing boat. Although the weather was unfortunate with light rain and cloudy skies, it was great that we could enjoy both the distant and close-up views.
Since it is one of Japan's Three Most Viewed Places, we booked a hotel built on high ground overlooking Matsushima Bay and enjoyed the spectacular views of Matsushima from Otakamori Observatory and Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park in Oku Matsushima. Finally, we toured the islands of Matsushima on a sightseeing boat. Although the weather was unfortunate with light rain and cloudy skies, it was great that we could enjoy both the distant and close-up views.
Written 13 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avinash N
Pune District, India145 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
Two hours away from Tokyo, Shinkansen and Local train takes you to a breathtaking view of the island dotted bay.
It was cloudy foggy and bit of rain all day. A welcome weather change from humidity and heat of Tokyo.
Walk all day, Explore the small bay with a ferry ride( take the top deck for better views)
Have super filling large portion lunch at Rikye The local favourite diner.
Enjoy the best cofee set and sponge cake with super views pf the autumn leaves and the bay.
worth a day to spend in Japan
It was cloudy foggy and bit of rain all day. A welcome weather change from humidity and heat of Tokyo.
Walk all day, Explore the small bay with a ferry ride( take the top deck for better views)
Have super filling large portion lunch at Rikye The local favourite diner.
Enjoy the best cofee set and sponge cake with super views pf the autumn leaves and the bay.
worth a day to spend in Japan
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stefaniecst
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia6,628 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We came here for a visit on ryokan onsen and the view was beautiful
Matsushima (松島) is famous for its bay and ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views. The small town about 35 mins from Sendai also known for Zuiganji, one of the Tohoku Region's Zen temples.
Definitely a place to stop by sampling oysters which Matsushima are famous for.
Matsushima (松島) is famous for its bay and ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views. The small town about 35 mins from Sendai also known for Zuiganji, one of the Tohoku Region's Zen temples.
Definitely a place to stop by sampling oysters which Matsushima are famous for.
Written 9 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAK_610
Yokohama, Japan791 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
It was a little unfortunate with light rain. We took a sightseeing boat from Shiogama to Matsushima, and while traveling, we looked at the islands and rocks of Matsushima. The scattered islands and rocks have a Japanese feel to them, but they don't have the same impact as Halong Bay in Vietnam or Guilin in China. Perhaps it's better to have a sense of wabi-sabi to be one of the Three Views of Japan.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkKwok
Vancouver136 contributions
Aug 2019
I went from Sendai to Hon-Shiogama station, and took the one-way Basho cruise from Marine Gate Shiogama to Matsushima Pier. The cruise is one per hour so remember to time accordingly. I took the 9am cruise and there were under 10 people. Cost is 1,500 yen (extra cost for the upper deck). There was English and Japanese narrative throughout. I was glad I took this cruise as when I arrived at Matsushima Pier, there were busloads of tourist waiting to board the much bigger cruise at Matsushima Pier. Must be hundreds of them.
I later found out that if one has a rail pass, one can get 10% off the cruise by buying the ticket from JR East Travel Centre, with free upgrade to the upper deck.
The cruise itself is fine and we got to see up close many islands in strange forms.
Once at Matsushima Pier, there are attractions nearby and the Matsushima Kaigan Station is within walking distance.
I later found out that if one has a rail pass, one can get 10% off the cruise by buying the ticket from JR East Travel Centre, with free upgrade to the upper deck.
The cruise itself is fine and we got to see up close many islands in strange forms.
Once at Matsushima Pier, there are attractions nearby and the Matsushima Kaigan Station is within walking distance.
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GordonAdelaide
Nihonmatsu, Japan124 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
We took the train from Sendai to Shiogama then a boat trip out through the islands to Matsushima.
After spending weeks in the cities and towns it was beautiful out on the water. The islands are generally small and low but with weathered pale cliffs and wind bent trees. Some are inhabited as they have been for centuries while others were little bigger than the boat.
We took photos as we went. Once we zoomed into these on a big screen we saw the classical views captured in the old paintings.
The trip took about an hour then we took the train from Matsushima back to Sendai
After spending weeks in the cities and towns it was beautiful out on the water. The islands are generally small and low but with weathered pale cliffs and wind bent trees. Some are inhabited as they have been for centuries while others were little bigger than the boat.
We took photos as we went. Once we zoomed into these on a big screen we saw the classical views captured in the old paintings.
The trip took about an hour then we took the train from Matsushima back to Sendai
Written 1 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BadgerCT
Cape Town Central, South Africa1,975 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
A very beautiful stretch of sea, and a good excuse to visit the Northern part of Honshu. Even in poor weather it’s quite pretty to see the rocky little islands covered in trees. We took the cruise from Shiogama which was pleasant and we got to see more of the islands that you’d be able to view from the Matsushima shore. The suburban train from Sendai took half an hour, the cruise (which departs every hour on the hour) another hour and we spent 2 and a half hours having a leisurely stroll around the town, temple and attached islands, including a sushi lunch. The JR train back to Sendai was another 45 minutes. The JR East Shinkansen is extremely efficient with a non-stop express to Sendai accessible on the JR pass so you could do a visit on a long day trip from Tokyo.
Written 8 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DSatrio
Jakarta244 contributions
Matsushima is one of Japan's top 3 view (Nihon Sankei). The bay is dotted with hundreds of rock islands covered with pines. Given the rocks were shapen by forces of wind and waves, the formations were unique and distinguished.
To enjoy it, the best way is to take the boat cruise (¥1500, about 1hour) which will take you through the islets.
While there, enjoy the local specialty of oysters. A full set would feature oysters cooked in different ways (raw, grilled, broiled, fried in batter, etc), which should set you back about ¥2000-2500 including rice and soup.
To get there, take the JR Senseki line to Matsushima-kaigan (not Matsushima!). The trip should take about 30mins on the local train.
To enjoy it, the best way is to take the boat cruise (¥1500, about 1hour) which will take you through the islets.
While there, enjoy the local specialty of oysters. A full set would feature oysters cooked in different ways (raw, grilled, broiled, fried in batter, etc), which should set you back about ¥2000-2500 including rice and soup.
To get there, take the JR Senseki line to Matsushima-kaigan (not Matsushima!). The trip should take about 30mins on the local train.
Written 31 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chill
Bacolod, Philippines41 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We went here by car last December. It took about 30 minutes by car from Sendai. Matsushima is an old city, quite known for its Temple and the beautiful islands. This is a nice and peaceful place to explore. There's a separate island that you can explore. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge. You can explore the island for about 20-30 minutes and costs around 200 yen per person. There's nothing much to see on that island but the air is very refreshing and clean. It soothe my nose which suffered a lot during the cold winter in Japan. There are also many souvenir shops and restaurants in this city which mostly serve oysters.
I am not sure what this place looks like on other season, but it was a truly great experience. I had a nice time taking pictures. There are also small temples in the islands where you can drop your coin, ring the bell and pray to Kamisama to grant your prayers.
I am not sure what this place looks like on other season, but it was a truly great experience. I had a nice time taking pictures. There are also small temples in the islands where you can drop your coin, ring the bell and pray to Kamisama to grant your prayers.
Written 12 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where do we catch the cruise boat from MatsushimaKaigan Station? How long is the cruise and approximately how much?
Written 28 March 2019
Apologies, I missed this.
There were four different cruises starting from our location near the hotel. I went on a one hour run; while there was no spoken English, a map labelled in English showed the route and named the islands.
We had a light meal at a cafe near the jetty. It was great.
Written 7 May 2019
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