------------Please select photos------------ MATSUSHIMA Sightseeing Map Oshima Nioujima Sunrise in Matsushima the viw of Matsushima from Tamonzan Cherry blossom in Matsushima Bay Kanrantei Godaido Hall（snow） Godaido Hall Garyubai(Ume Trees in Zuiganji Temple) Matsushima Orgel Museum Zuiganji Temple1 Zuiganji Temple2 Zuiganji Todo Zuiganji Seiryuden Art Museum Sekkoku Kyohei Fujita Museum of Glass Marinepia Matsushima Aquarium Michinoku Date Masamune History Museum Mastushima Lantern Floating and Fireworks Festival Matsushima Oyster Festival ※Quick Search

Oshima

■Sightseeing Guide Oshima is an island where the monk Kenbutsu practiced asceticism for 12 long years. It is said that there used to be 108 rocky caves, however currently, only about 50 of them remain. The caves used to be used for praying for the dead to attain the Buddha hood. On the walls inside the caves, many of the carving marks on the stupas (dome-shaped monuments), the images of Buddha and the Buddhist names can still be seen.

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Nioujima

■Sightseeing Guide Nioujima is one of the most characteristic islands of Matsushima Bay, and was named after the Niou (the Two Deva Kings), because of its similarity in the figures. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Sunrise in Matsushima

■Sightseeing Guide Some 260 islands in Matsushima Bay show a beautiful contrast of green and white - the luxuriantly growing pine trees contrasting with the wave-cut cliffs that have been eroded over tens of thousand of years. The beauty of Matsushima is considered to be one of the three most scenic sites in Japan and since ancient times, has been a target of people's adoration as the original scenery of Japanese culture. Matsushima also has made appearances in Waka and the Haiku poems as a theme of literature. The sunrise in Matsushima definitely is worth seeing.

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The View of Matsushima from Tamonzan

■Sightseeing Guide Tamonzan, one of Matsushima's Four Best Viewpoints, was named Ikan (breathtaking spectacle), because the view of heavy dashing surf on the cliff of the Shirogasaki in the Northern tip of Shichigahama, splashing from the Pacific Ocean, were so grandeur. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Cherry Blossoms in Matsushima Bay

■Sightseeing Guide There are roughly 700 cherry blossom trees at Pine Park, which is known for the "Tale of Saigyo-Modoshi" (the minstrel Saigyo leaving Matsushima, ashamed of his ignorance). In the spring time, the unique Cherry Blossom Viewing, combined with the view of the Matsushima Bay is highly enjoyable. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Kanrantei (the tea ceremony house)

■Sightseeing Guide The lord Date Masamune(1567-1636) had received a tea ceremony house from the Fushimi-Momoyama Castle (in Kyoto prefecture), from Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), and had reconstructed it at the domain residence in Edo (Tokyo). The lord Date Tadamune (1599-1658) the second, had it retransferred to Matsushima via sea, and reconstructed the tea ceremony house without changing the location of a single tree or a rock, for the purpose of enjoying the cool breeze of summer and viewing the moon. It certainly is an agreeable experience to have a cup of powdered green tea while looking down at Matsushima Bay from the hill. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Godaido Hall （snow）

■Sightseeing Guide The Bishamondo (the shrine of a Buddhist god) was erected on the occasion of Sakanoueno Tamuramaro's (758-811 A.D.) expedition to the East, and the "Godaido Hall", a symbol of Matsushima, was named after the Godai Myoo (the Five Great Vidyarajas) enshrined on the occasion of the establishment of the Zuiganji Temple by the Great Monk Jikaku (794-864 A.D.). The current building was reconstructed by lord Date Masamune, utilizing all possible methods of the Momoyama Architectural Style. According to the legend, when the Great Monk Jikaku enshrined the Five Great Vidyarajas, the Bishamonten (a god of Buddhism) dedicated by the Sakanoueno Tamuramaro, flew away to one of the offshore islands beaming lights. The island Bishamonten landed on is now called Bishamonto Island. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Godaido Hall

■Sightseeing Guide The Bishamondo (the shrine of a Buddhist god) was erected on the occasion of Sakanoueno Tamuramaro's (758-811 A.D.) expedition to the East, and the "Godaido Hall", a symbol of Matsushima, was named after the Godai Myoo (the Five Great Vidyarajas) enshrined on the occasion of the establishment of the Zuiganji Temple by the Great Monk Jikaku (794-864 A.D.). The current building was reconstructed by lord Date Masamune, utilizing all possible methods of the Momoyama Architectural Style. According to the legend, when the Great Monk Jikaku enshrined the Five Great Vidyarajas, the Bishamonten (a god of Buddhism) dedicated by the Sakanoueno Tamuramaro, flew away to one of the offshore islands beaming lights. The island Bishamonten landed on is now called Bishamonto Island. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Garyobai (Ume Japanese Apricot Trees in Zuiganji Temple)

■Sightseeing Guide The Zuiganji Temple is a temple of the Date Clan as well. The inner gate is located on the center of the approach to the temple, leading up to the luminous front yard, paved with white sand. Two old Ume (Japanese apricot) trees with red and white blossoms are planted there. It is said that Masamune brought them back from Korea. It is also said the white Ume tree is symbolizing a dragon soaring up to the heaven, and the red Ume tree is symbolizing a lying down dragon. The pair of them is called the "Garyubai" (the Ume trees of lying dragons)". ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Matsushima Orgel (Music Box) Museum

■Sightseeing Guide The Matsushima Orgel (Music Box) Museum displays 134 Orgel music boxes, handed over from the National Museum of Belgium. On the second floor of the museum are giant music boxes (or automatic orchestras), manufactured in medieval Europe, which perform music one after another. About 30,000 of the lovely music boxes are displayed and sold at the Orgel House on the first floor. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Zuiganji Temple

■Sightseeing Guide The Zuiganji Temple is the only Zen temple in the Michinoku (Tohoku) region, erected in 828 A.D. by the Great Monk Jikaku. Zuiganji is another temple of the Date Clan. Stunning paintings expressing the beauty of Japanese nature are decorated on the paneled doors, the fanlights, the sliding screens and the alcoves in the temple. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Zuiganji Temple(snow)

■Sightseeing Guide The Zuiganji Temple is the only Zen temple in the Michinoku (Tohoku) region, erected in 828 A.D. by the Great Monk Jikaku. Zuiganji is another temple of the Date Clan. Stunning paintings expressing the beauty of Japanese nature are decorated on the paneled doors, the fanlights, the sliding screens and the alcoves in the temple. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Zuiganji Todo (The Lighted Path of Zuiganji Temple)

■Sightseeing Guide Candles are lit around the approach way of Zuiganji temple, and an atmosphere of the illusory "Yin" is represented by lanterns crafted by local elementary school pupils. At the same time, the atmosphere of the festive "Yan" is represented by the fair stalls and a special stage for the summer festival. This event creates, and shows off a different side to Matsushima compared to the daytime. It is held annually from August 6th to the 8th, from 7pm to 9pm. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Zuiganji Seiryuden Art Museum

■Sightseeing Guide The Zuiganji Seiryuden Art Museum is located within the Zuiganji temple, and houses about 30,000 pieces of art such as pictures of the temple (important national cultural property), the paintings of successive domain lords of the Date clan and writings material remains. The exhibition in the special exhibition room changes according to the seasons and themes. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Sekkoku (Dendrobium moniliforme)

■Sightseeing Guide A kind of orchid, Sekkoku (Dendrobium moniliforme) is an aerophyte which grows on the old Japanese cedar trees in Zuiganji temple. Since the leaves of the plant looks a little bit like the leaves of bamboo, it has been familiarized in the area of Matsushima by the nickname of "Iwatake" (rock bamboo), ever since ancient times. The pink flowers blossom from the end of May to the beginning of June.

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Kyohei Fujita Museum of Glass

■Sightseeing Guide The theme of the Kyohei Fujita Museum of Glass is "a garden museum of the sea and glass". Kyohei Fujita won the Cultural Order Award in 1997, followed by the Order of Cultural Merit in 2002. The museum permanently displays 100 pieces of Fujita's work. A representative work of Fujita is titled "Kazari-Bako (an ornamental box) or commonly called "the box of Fujita". The museum creates a fantastical atmosphere, combining the beauty of "the box", the scenery of Matsushima and a spectacular garden of approximately 23,000�u. As each step moves you along, a world of fantasy opens up. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Marinepia Matsushima Aquarium

■Sightseeing Guidef The Marinepia Matsushima Aquarium holds about 8,000 total, and 400 different kinds, of fish, mammals that inhabit in the sea and other creatures from all around the world. A whole line up of cute stars such as sea otters, Commerson's dolphins and Baikal seals are waiting to greet visitors. The aquarium also has a rich selection of 7 different kinds of penguin, with their cute waddling walking figures. A show with the sea lions can be enjoyed by families, with the spectator's seats covered so as to cope with all types of weather. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Michinoku Date Masamune Historical Museum

■Sightseeing Guide At the Michinoku Date Masamune Historical Museum, scenes from 25 different stages of Masamune's life are reconstructed with over 200 life-sized wax body figures. Masamune lived in a war-torn era with many hardships. A mounted statue of Masamune looks so forceful, that it seems like it will start running at any moment! At the "Michinoku Ijinkan" (the museum of prominent figures in Michinoku), which stands next to the Michinoku Date Masamune Historical Museum, wax figures of 50 prominent people of Tohoku including woodblock artiest Munakata Shiko, author Miyazawa Kenji and doctor Noguchi Hideyo are displayed. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Matsushima Lantern Floating and Fireworks Festival

■Sightseeing Guide The annual Matsushima Lantern Floating and Fireworks Festival is celebrated on August 15th. 11,000 fireworks and 8,000 lanterns light up Matsushima Bay and displays the flamboyant side of Matsushima. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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Matsushima Oyster Festival

■Sightseeing Guide The Matsushima Oyster Festival is held annually on the first weekend(Saturday and Sunday) of February, providing a flavor of winter via oysters, which can be enjoyed to the heart's content. A free service providing various oyster dishes, as well as other services providing barbequed oysters and scallops over charcoal are available. ○For further information, contact the following: ○E-mail:matsushima@town.matsushima.miyagi.jp ○Web site: http://www.town.matsushima.miyagi.jp/

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