Matsushima

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This article is about one of the Three Views of Japan. For other uses, including the town in this region, see Matsushima (disambiguation).

One of the Four great views of Matsushima, the "Magnificent View"

The view from Godaido

Sagakei at Matsushima

One of the islands of Matsushima

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 Sendai earthquake.^[1]

Ojima whose name is Utamakura. The red "Togetsukyō Bridge", about twenty meters in length, was wholly lost in the Sendai earthquake.^[1]

Another view

Sea gulls at Matsushima

Matsushima (松島^?) is a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) – hence the name – and is ranked as one of the Three Views of Japan.

A well-known apocryphal haiku often attributed to Matsuo Bashō indicates that the poet is at a loss for words:

Matsushima ah!
A-ah, Matsushima, ah!
Matsushima, ah!

Nearby cultural properties include Zuigan-ji, Entsū-in, Kanrantei, and the Satohama shell mound.

[edit] Views

[edit] Four views of Matsushima

There are four well-known spots to view the Matsushima, known as the Magnificent View (壮観, sōkan^?), Beautiful View (麗観, reikan^?), Enchanting View (幽観, yūkan^?), and Grand View (偉観, ikan^?).

Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori
Beautiful View: The view from Toyama
Enchanting View: The view from Ogidani
Grand View: The view from Tamonsan

[edit] Cruise

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

Niōjima
Senganjima: Masamune Date's favorite island
Komonejima
Kanejima
Futagojima
Misagojima
Kaerujima
Takashima, also known as Meganejima

[edit] Transportation

Scenic view of Matsushima. Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Yōshū Chikanobu, 1898

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

[edit] Earthquake of March 2011

Despite the proximity of Matsushima to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the area was protected by the islands and suffered little damage.^[2]^[3] Nevertheless, 6 persons were confirmed killed.^[4]