Sendai (仙台), a significant city and transportation center in Tohoku, is well-known for its historical attractions and regional cuisine. Matsushima, another must-see city in northern Honshu, is a half-hour train trip from Sendai.
For first-time visitors to the area, this article includes a one-day itinerary. It's very easy to travel between Tohoku region and Tokyo by shinkansen (Bullet Train) or by a highway bus. In this article, I will share our 1 day tour itinerary without car, starting our journey from Tokyo to Sendai Station by Shinkansen. At a glance, we covered the following places.
6. Jozenji Dori
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| Matsushima Kaigan Station |
At first, we traveled to Sendai Station from Ueno Station by Shinkansen at the end of November, 2021. We reserved our shinkansen tickets earlier from びゅうプラザ View Plaza (Cost: 11000 yen, one way). We reached Sendai Station in the early morning and took our breakfast in the convenient store. Then, we went to Matsushima Kaigan Station by train from Sendai Station by Senseki Line (Cost: 420 yen, one way). We went to Oshima Island by walk and it takes around 6 minutes from Matsushima Kaigan Station to Oshima Island.
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| Oshima Island |
Oshima (雄島) is a small, pine-covered island near to Matsushima's pier. The island is accessible for free through a small bridge and offers some enjoyable short treks. There are a number of little shrines strewn over the island, as well as spots with great views of the bay.
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| A small bridge, Oshima Island |
Next, we enjoyed the Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise. The greatest way to appreciate Matsushima Bay's wonderful natural surroundings is from the sea! Matsushima has long been regarded as one of Japan's Nihon Sankei (Three Views), with over 200 pine-covered islands dotting its lovely bay.
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| From Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise |
Several itineraries for relaxing bay cruises are available. A circle route going and returning to Matsushima and a one-way route ferrying sightseers to and from the neighboring port town of Shiogama are the two standard cruises. Standard cruises leave every hour and last about fifty minutes (Cost: 1000 yen). Tickets can be purchased right up until the departure time.
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| From Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise |
After enjoying Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise, we visited Godaido Temple by walk, which is the symbol of Matsushima. The hall was formerly brightly painted red, but the paint has long since faded. The Chinese zodiac animals etched into the transom encircling the structure are worth noting.
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| Godaido Temple |
Sukashibashi are the purposefully precarious red bridges that connect the island to the mainland. The holes between the boards are purposefully left to force worshippers' attention as they pass through.
Next we visited Fukuurajima Island by walk, which is a hidden must see spot in Matsushima. While sightseeing boats provide excellent views of the islands from the water, and scenic viewpoints provide excellent views from the land, a trip to Matsushima is incomplete without stepping foot on one of the islands.
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| Fukuurabashi Bridge |
We explored this lovely island by crossing the Fukuurabashi Bridge, which is 252 meters long. The island is crisscrossed with well-kept walking routes that pass by more than 300 plant kinds. There's little risk of getting lost because a full lap of the island takes only thirty minutes. A modest temple dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune, stands at the island's center, with strange ornaments erected around it by believers.
The numerous species of flowers in bloom on Fukuurajima Island, including camellias, cherry blossoms, and tulips, enliven the island from late winter to mid-summer. Around the island are scenic overlooks with benches where visitors can relax. Late afternoons are my favorite time to visit Fukkurajima. You can relax and watch the boats go by, and you may be treated to a beautiful sunset over the town on occasion. Even when Matsushima gets congested, the island remains a tranquil haven.
Aoba Castle ((青葉城, Aobajō), the ruins occupy a prominent hilltop location to the west of Sendai City. After exploring the Fukuurajima Island, we went back to Sendai Station by train (Senseki Line, Cost: 420 yen) from Matsushima Kaigan Station. Then, we took a taxi from Sendai station to Sendai Aoba Castle and enjoyed the spectacular night view of Sendai city from the top. Aoba Castle can also be reached in about 20 minutes from Sendai Station by the Loople Sendai bus.
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| Aoba Castle ((青葉城, Aobajō) |
The best thing about Sendai Castle is the view that it affords towards the central city in the East. There is also a food court that serves zunda-mochi shakes and various gyutan (cow tongue) dishes.
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| Night View from Aoba Castle ((青葉城, Aobajō) |
6. Jozenji Dori
After enjoying Aoba Castle, we went to Jozenji Dori by Taxi. Jozenji-dori Avenue is a tree-lined street in central Sendai that the city takes pleasure in for its "European" feel.
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| Jozenji Dori |
Throughout the year, a variety of large and minor events take place along the route. The Aoba Festival, Jozenji Streetjazz Festival, and the Pageant of Starlight are all prominent events that draw enormous crowds to the city. Jozenji-dori is normally devoid of big crowds outside of the days of these important events. The boulevard and its park-like greenbelt have a low-key bustle of inhabitants going about their business or relaxing under the tall keyaki (zelkova) trees that line it.
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| Gyutan (牛タン, gyūtan, Beef Tongue) |
We ended our trip by taking Dinner at Gyutan Restaurant. Gyutan (牛タン, gyūtan, Beef Tongue) is the most famous dish of Sendai, a dish consisting of pieces of thinly sliced beef tongue, cooked over a charcoal grill.
This is the end of our one day Sendai and Matsushima Bay trip using public transport. In japan, public transport is very convenient so that you can travel anywhere in Japan without a car. Hope you enjoy this article.
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