September itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Miyagi Day 2)
(Monday, September 27)
Table of contents
6. Matsushima Island Tour Boat
9. View of Matsushima Bay from Shin-tomiyama
On the second day of Miyagi prefecture, I visited sightseeing spots around Matsushima such as Zuiganji Temple (main hall, kuri and corridor), which is a national treasure. The tourist spots were packed in a small space, and it was easy to take a walk as expected.
1. Shiogama Shrine
(10 minutes walk from JR Hon-Shiogama station, there is a long staircase to the shrine, so I think you should allow some time.)
Shiogama Shrine has been revered as the Tohoku guardian, Mutsunokuni Ichinomiya. It is a national important cultural property. The date of construction of Shiogama Shrine is not clear, but its origin dates back to before the Nara period.
Personally, I really like Shiogama Shrine. Next time, I wanted to come back to Miyagi prefecture when I came to travel. The atmosphere in the shrine’s precincts was unique, and I felt a sacred atmosphere.
There are 202 steps on Omotesando (Otokozaka), and it is not easy to worship. However, there is also a slightly sloped road called “Onnazaka”. From Hon-Shiogama Station, “Onnazaka” is in front of “Otokozaka”.This photo is the torii gate at the entrance of Onnazaka.
No admission fee.
Shiwahiko Shrine is next to Shiogama Shrine. This is the last shrine built at full national expense.
2. Yotokuin tamaya
It was not open to the public now. It is located a little away from Zuiganji Temple, and it is not open to the public due to high security costs. I was very disappointed.
It is a mausoleum of Date Masamune’s wife, Megohime (Yotokuin). It is a national important cultural property.
https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/185497
3. Zuiganji Temple
Zuiganji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple belonging to the Rinzai sect Myoshinji school. It is a national treasure because it is a valuable building of Momoyama art.
Zuiganji Temple was one of the most wonderful temples I have ever visited. The appearance was of course wonderful, and the many works of art and ornaments inside were a masterpiece. However, it is not possible to take pictures of the inside of the temple, so please visit and appreciate it.
The fusuma paintings and barrier paintings of Zuiganji Temple are by Kano Sakyo (Sakuma Shuri) and others. All of them were wonderful murals and were so wonderful that I wanted to appreciate them for hours. Personally, I was curious that some of the paintings, such as the tiger painting, were very similar to Ito Jakuchu’s paintings. When I asked Zuiganji Temple, the answer was that it was due to Kano Sakyo. Kano Sakyo is a painter more than 100 years before Ito Jakuchu.
Admission: Yen 700 for adults, Yen 400 for children (junior high school, elementary school)
https://zuiganji.or.jp/?page_id=9110
4. Entsuin
(Next to Zuiganji Temple)
It is a national important cultural property.
The garden is wonderful. In particular, I can imagine that the season of autumn leaves will be even more wonderful. The interior of Sankeiden also adopted a form of Western culture that was rare in the early Edo period, and it was very interesting.
Admission: Adults Yen 300, high school students Yen 150, children (junior high school students) Yen 100
5. Godaido
(7 minutes walk from Entsuin)
Godaido belongs to Zuiganji Temple. The current building was built by Date Masamune in 1604 and is the oldest existing Momoyama building in the Tohoku region. It is a national important cultural property.
The Godaido on the island is wonderful, but I think it’s a little plain compared to the splendor of Zuiganji Temple and Entsuin.
Admission is free.
6. Matsushima Island Tour Boat
(3 minutes walk from Godaido)
Large regular pleasure boat “Nioh Maru Course”
One service per hour for 50 minutes, such as 14: 00-14: 50
Adults (junior high school students and above) Yen 1,500, elementary school students Yen 750, free for children under elementary school age
“New ship Niomaru service commemorative privilege” Adults Yen 1,500 will be discounted to Yen 1,000. If you make a reservation from the official website, it will be Yen 100 cheaper. The end date of the award is undecided.
https://www.matsushima.or.jp/en/timesheet/
The weather was nice when I went around Matsushima Island on a sightseeing boat, so I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery. As expected, it is said to be one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
7. Fukuura Island
(10 minutes walk from Matsushima Island Tour Sightseeing Boat Station)
What was better than I had expected was a walk around Fukuura Island. Just crossing the long red bridge and strolling around the island made me feel calm. I think it is the effect of walking in the green nature while looking at the beautiful sea of Matsushima.
Admission: Adults 200 yen (high school students and above), children 100 yen (elementary and junior high school students)
8. Kanrantei
(17 minutes walk from Fukuura Island)
Tokonoma and fusuma paintings are important cultural properties of the country. However, photography is prohibited. I think it’s good to have a cup of tea while looking at the beautiful scenery of Matsushima Bay.
I think the Matsushima Museum on the grounds of Kanrantei is worth seeing. The photo is a traditional craft Sendai chest.
https://www.town.miyagi-matsushima.lg.jp/index.cfm/8,3105,30,html
Admission: Adults Yen 200, high school / university students Yen 150, elementary / junior high school students Yen 100
9. View of Matsushima Bay from Shin-tomiyama
(12 minutes walk from Kanrantei, about 1km, there is a “Shin-tomiyama” entrance near Hanagokoro no Yu Shintomitei)
To be honest, the view of Matsushima Bay from Shin-tomiyama was not very good. Even though I’ve come to a hill, I can’t see much because the trees are overgrown. I think Matsushima Bay seen from the sea was more beautiful.
Note: The departure / arrival times, fees, admission fees, etc. of transportation listed in the text are as of the time of writing the BLOG. They may change in the future, so please check for yourself when you go on a trip.