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Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
On the last day, we took a walk around Matsushima. We took a leisurely stroll through the lush moss gardens that seemed to blow away the humid heat, and toured the island, feeling like we were surrounded by primeval forest. Due to the thick fog that day, we were unable to see the islands floating in Matsushima Bay, but we were able to spend a relaxing time that was different from the central Sendai. At the end of this article, we will introduce some souvenir sweets and breads that you definitely want to buy in Sendai!
The third day of touring Matsushima. Enjoy Fukuura Island, a world rich in nature connected by a red bridge
In the morning, I headed to Matsushima-kaigan Station during rush hour at Sendai Station. The direct train took about 40 minutes to get there.
Matsushima is a timeless scenic spot, and I'm sure many people have been there at least once.
I'm sure you've heard people say they've been to the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple or taken an island-hopping cruise, but this time I'm heading to Fukuura Island. Tourists from overseas or large buses don't seem to land on this island very often, so it's very quiet compared to the crowds in front of the station. Surrounded by lush trees, I almost forget for a moment that I'm on an island, but the sound of the waves and the whistles of distant ships bring me back. This is an island where you can have such a mysterious experience.
From the well-maintained walking trails, you can see the natural colonies of giant lilies and large, twisting red pines. There are also sights to see, such as gazebos and shrines, and you can get around the island in no time. There aren't many ups and downs, so you can take a leisurely stroll.
I took the train from Sendai Station to Matsushima-kaigan Station.
To get to Fukuura Island, you need a ticket to cross the 252m bridge. Unfortunately, it was foggy that day, so we decided to just enjoy the island.
A long bridge! It's a vermilion-painted bridge with a slight arch. Just crossing this bridge is exciting.
By the way, a round trip ticket costs 200 yen. It features an illustration by Shiori Teshirogi, a manga artist from Matsushima Town.
The walking trails on Fukuura Island are well maintained, however there are some areas where the path can become rough depending on the weather.
It is surrounded by tall trees and feels cool as you walk through the shade. You will feel as if you are walking through a deep forest with rich vegetation. The autumn leaves are said to be very beautiful!
Benzaiten. The fact that it has been so well preserved in this location near the sea is almost divine. This shrine seems to have a long history and has a strong presence.
The most impressive thing about Fukuura Island is this Benzaiten.
Each little red dot is a "Daruma." These are Daruma fortune telling slips that are sold at the rest area in front and the shop further ahead. They're each small, but the sight of them all lined up neatly is spectacular.
The Matsushima area is quite crowded with tourists, but Fukuurajima is very quiet. The distant whistles of the ships are somehow romantic.
Large-leaved lilies. Just this time of year, a group of lilies are blooming.
There are gazebos and observation decks on the slightly elevated areas and at the tip of the island. It was foggy that day, so we gave up on the view. However, it seems that you can't see the whole of Matsushima Bay from here, so I was told that if you want to get a bird's-eye view, it's better to go to the observation deck at Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park.
We've now toured the whole island. The route is marked so anyone can get around without getting lost, and it's pretty much a straight path.
I just walked through the quiet forest without thinking about anything, enjoying the sounds of the birds and the rustling of the trees.
One of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Dry landscape gardens, moss gardens, and even a rose garden, rare for a temple, at Entsuin Temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism.
I found a few "favorites" during this trip, and this is one of them. Entsuin Temple is a place that makes me feel truly refreshed.
First, there is a well-maintained dry landscape garden right at the entrance. Dry landscape gardens are a mirror that reflects you. When you stare at them, you feel as if they are asking you, "How do you feel?" A round window leads from there. You are slowly drawn from the "light" of the white sand into the world of "darkness" of green shadows.
After passing through the stepping stones while looking at the moss on both sides, you will arrive at Sankeiden, a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. It is the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, a direct descendant of Date Masamune.
Finally, there is a gorgeous rose garden. Hasekura Tsunenaga, who was dispatched by Masamune to Europe, was the first person to bring Western roses back to Japan, and roses are also painted on the cabinet inside Sankeiden Hall, so roses have been planted there, which is unusual for a temple.
It's a place where you can be shaken by various visual changes, release yourself from the stress of everyday life, and feel free. Your mind can be optimized.
We will visit the garden of Entsu-in Temple, which belongs to the Rinzai sect of Buddhism and Myoshinji school. This is a temple that is awarded two stars in the Michelin Tourist Guide and is definitely worth seeing.
At the entrance to this temple, there were signs displaying plants that were in full bloom. This kind of thoughtfulness is wonderful.
It's already beautiful from the moment you enter through the temple gate. This garden is in the Enshu style, so I was excited even before entering. Kobori Enshu was a very popular gardener at the time, with gardens all over the country. He was really in high demand.
The first thing we see is a dry landscape garden. Although it is compact, the white sand patterns spread out before us allow our minds to calm before we proceed into the garden.
A green path continues beyond the round window. From here, you will enter a moss garden.
The garden was surrounded by green light. It was a quiet space.
Sankeiden, a national important cultural property, is enshrined at the back. It was built with the mountain behind it and protected by the trees.
There is a mausoleum inside, and even from the outside you can sense its splendor and grandeur.
The rose garden was created in honor of the Western roses that Hasekura Tsunenaga brought to the temple, and because they are also painted on the mausoleum. There are hardly any temples with rose gardens, even if you search all over Japan, so this one has a unique feel.
Finally, we offered a kokeshi doll, a "marriage kokeshi."
I prayed for a connection with my trip. I wrote my wish, my name, and the date, and placed it on the shelf.
I hope you continue to travel a lot.
Take home the cuteness of Sendai with you. Musubimaru & Sendai Kokeshi icing cookies and sables as souvenirs.
The last stop on this trip was a baked goods shop called "Atelier Lafoule."
The owner of this shop, Mr. Kanno, is an icing cookie craftsman who currently works in Sendai setting up stalls at events and making custom sweets. Icing cookies have become widespread in Japan over the past 7-8 years and are now familiar to many. However, Mr. Kanno has been involved in this world for longer than that and is a specialist in this field. Due to orders and preparations for exhibitions, the shop is only open for three days, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to cookies with a Sendai motif, they also offer simple butter cookies and sables, all of which are tastefully made and would make a great everyday gift, not just a souvenir from Sendai.
Handing this souvenir over to someone is sure to bring a smile to their face. It has a crispy yet moist texture, making it the perfect snack for tea time.
A must-buy souvenir in Sendai: "Sendai Sable Can" and icing cookies from "Atelier La Fool."
They are the perfect size to take home and to hand out. Sendai's mascot characters, Musubimaru and Sendai Kokeshi.
The icing cookies were also very cute, with great colors, shapes, and perfection. They made a great souvenir.
Atelier Lafoule is a small shop that stocks a wide variety of baked goods. The items I purchased this time were ones I had reserved in advance before my trip.
The store is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For more information, please check the official website.
This trip to Miyagi was a very fulfilling one.
On this trip to Miyagi, we had a good balance of visiting the sea, mountains, and towns.
Miyagi Prefecture is a great place for solo travelers because it's easy to plan your trip however you like. You can explore one area in depth, or you can go on an ambitious trip like me. It's a place that piques the curiosity of travelers, making them wonder if there are still other fascinating places lying dormant somewhere!
Although the trip has just ended, there is still so much I want to do, so I would love to make another trip to Miyagi!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
