Known as one of the “Three Great Views of Japan,” the city of Matsushima offers some of the most amazing seaside views in the country!
Getting there
Matsushima is a seaside city located just a half-hour train ride out from Sendai. The area is famous for its many forested islands across Matsushima Bay.
Along the coast, there are multiple ports where cruises and boat tours are constantly operating. Prices typically range between 1500-2000 JPY (10-15 USD) and the cruise duration is roughly 50 minutes.
Fukuurabashi Bridge
The defining tourist attraction of Matsushima is the iconic Fukuurabashi Bridge. This long red bridge extends for about 252 meters and connects the coast of Matsushima to the forest-green Fukuura Island.
It only costs 200 yen (1 USD) to access the bridge, a small price to pay for the stunning sunset views you get along the way. As you walk along, you can see the many islands of Matsushima Bay as cruise ships and sailboats do laps around.
Serene walking trails
Once you’ve crossed the big red bridge, you’ll set foot on the foresty Fukuura Island. Here, you’ll find plenty of walking tracks that ultimately take you on a loop around the island.
Circling the entire island will only take about one hour to complete, and there are plenty of rest stops along the way. There are also public toilets, vending machines, and even an old lady selling rice cakes and desserts on Fukuura Island.
Amazing viewpoints
The views that can be seen from Fukuura Island are even more magnificent than those from the bridge. For the best scenery and photo opportunities, I recommend checking out the viewpoints around sunset time.
You can read up on interesting facts and trivia about these islands on the many information boards at the observatories. There are also some cool attractions on the island such as the Bentendo Temple and the Fukuura Island beach.
Autumn food trucks!
If you visit Matsushima around autumn, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the many evening food trucks by the bay! This is in honor of the Matsushima Fall Light Up event, a festival where trees and lanterns light up to show off the beautiful autumn foliage.
I personally did not stay for the event, but I sure did enjoy some delicious street food with a friend! From karaage fried chicken to takoyaki octopus dumplings, there are plenty of delicious cheap eats to cap off your perfect day in Matsushima!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!