Matsushima

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

Matsushima(Tùng đảo)is a group of islands inMiyagi Prefecture,Japan.There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) – hence the name – and it is considered to be one of theThree Views of Japan.

Kameshima

Kanejima, one of the many famous islands that dot the archipelago

The view fromGodaido

Sagakei at Matsushima

One of the islands of 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 theSendai earthquake.

Ojima whose name isUtamakura.The red "Togetsukyō Bridge", about twenty meters in length, was wholly lost in the Sendai earthquake.

Another view

Sea gulls at Matsushima

Nearby cultural properties includeZuigan-ji,Entsū-in,Kanrantei,and theSatohama shell mound.

Views

A well-knownhaikudescribes the islands as so striking that the poet is at a loss for words:

Tùng đảo やああ tùng đảo や tùng đảo やMatsushima ya / aa Matsushima ya / Matsushima ya
Matsushima ah! / A-ah, Matsushima, ah! / Matsushima, ah!

While often attributed toMatsuo Bashō,the earliest known publication is in theMatsushima Zushi( tùng đảo đồ chí ), published in 1820 over a century after Bashō's death, which attributes it to thekyōkapoet Tawara-bō ( điền nguyên phường ).While Bashō did visit Matsushima inOku no Hosomichi,its only haiku about Matsushima was written by his travel comparisonKawai Sora.

Four views of Matsushima

There are four well-known spots to view the Matsushima, known as the Magnificent View(Tráng quan,sōkan),Beautiful View(Lệ quan,reikan),Enchanting View(U quan,yūkan),and Grand View(Vĩ quan,ikan).

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  Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori
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  Beautiful View: The view from Tomiyama
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  Enchanting View: The view from Ogitani
• 
  Grand View: The view from Tamonzan

Cruise

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

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

(video) Several islands in 2008 before theTōhoku earthquakechanged their appearance.

Transportation

Scenic view of Matsushima.Ukiyo-ewoodblock print byYōshū Chikanobu,1898

The town is only a short distance (thirty minutes, about 14 km) from prefectural capitalSendaiand is easily accessible bytrain.Matsushima-Kaigan Stationis near the attractions such asZuiganjiand the waterfront.Matsushima Station,on aseparate lineis on the opposite side of the town.

2011 Tōhoku earthquake

Despite the proximity of Matsushima to the2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami,the area was protected by the islands and suffered relatively little damage.The initial tsunami was 3.2 metres (10.5 feet) with the second 3.8 metres (12.5 feet). Electricity was restored by March 18, water fully restored by April 16th and the Senseki Train Line between Takagimachi Station and Sendai by May 28. Nevertheless, three people were confirmed killed in Matsushima (including by aftershocks) with 18 killed while out of town.

Activities

Around the island travelers can go on a cruise and view the islands up close, and around the Matsushima shore travelers can rent bikes.

See also

• List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments

External links

• Matsushima Town official websiteArchived2019-01-02 at theWayback Machine

Zuiganji at Matsushima