Matsushima

Views

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

松島やああ松島や松島や ja Matsushima ah! / A-ah, Matsushima, ah! / Matsushima, ah!

While often attributed to Matsuo Bashō, the earliest known publication is in the Matsushima Zushi (松島図誌), published in 1820 over a century after Bashō's death, which attributes it to the kyōka poet Tawara-bō (田原坊). While Bashō did visit Matsushima in Oku no Hosomichi, its only haiku about Matsushima was written by his travel comparison Kawai Sora.

Four views of Matsushima

There are four well-known spots to view the Matsushima, known as the Magnificent View, Beautiful View, Enchanting View, and Grand View.

Image:matsushima otakamori08Dec07.jpg|Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori Image:matsushima tomiyama10Mar07.jpg|Beautiful View: The view from Tomiyama Image:matsushima ogidani23Nov07.jpg|Enchanting View: The view from Ogitani Image:matsushima tamonsan11Feb07.jpg|Grand View: The view from Tamonzan

Cruise

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

Image:Nioujima.jpg|Niōjima Image:Senganjima.jpg|Senganjima: Masamune Date's favorite island Image:Komonejima.jpg|Komonejima Image:Matsushima famous island.jpg|Kanejima Image:Futagojima.jpg|Futagojima Image:Misagojima.jpg|Misagojima Image:Kaerujima.jpg|Kaerujima Image:Meganejima.jpg|Takashima, also known as Meganejima

Transportation

The town is only a short distance (thirty minutes, about 14 km) from prefectural capital Sendai and is easily accessible by train. Matsushima-Kaigan Station is near the attractions such as Zuiganji and the waterfront. Matsushima Station, on a separate line is on the opposite side of the town.

2011 Tōhoku earthquake

Despite the proximity of Matsushima to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the area was protected by the islands and suffered relatively little damage.{{cite news 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 16 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.

References

References

1. link. [[Jiji Press]]. (March 19, 2011)
2. "松嶋図誌 / 鼓缶子 述; 東沢 図".
3. "Matsushima, ah! A-ah, Basho, A-ah! – Ars Docendi".
4. Martin, Alex, "[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110817f1.html Tsunami spared Matsushima but swept away bay's tourists]", ''[[Japan Times]]'', 17 August 2011, p. 3.
5. (March 2015). "Matsushima from Disaster towards Recovery Poster". Town of Matsushima.
6. "About Matsushima - Miyagi Travel Guide {{!}} Planetyze".