How to Plan a Trip
Matsushima, Japan: 1 Day Travel Itinerary
October 11, 2024
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Planning a trip to Japan? Add the charming city of Matsushima to your travel itinerary. Matsushima, a small waterfront city 30 minutes from Sendai, is known for its gorgeous bay filled with small pine-covered islands (260 islands to be exact!).
One day is typically enough to explore this awesome waterfront city – whether you’re exploring on your own or with a private local-led tour.
This quick guide will share everything you need to know about planning a one-day trip to Matsushima, Japan, including where to stay, things to do, and the best restaurants.
We stayed at the gorgeous waterfront Ryokan, Komatsu Kan Kofu-Tei, while in Matsushima and it was truly the highlight of our trip. From the breathtaking views and great amenities to the delicious food and impeccable service, it was such a relaxing experience.
The location was also amazing because you could easily walk to all of Matsushima’s best restaurants and attractions – including Zuiganji Temple and Fukuura Island.
Milos Boutique Hotel
Komatsu Kan Kofu-Tei is a gorgeous waterfront ryokan in Matsushima, Japan. The hotel offers an incredible traditional breakfast, public and private onsen on-site (plus a foot onsen), and a perfect location for exploring the city.
Check rates and availabilityThings to do in Matsushima, Japan
Walk along the Bay of Matsushima
What is more gorgeous than a bay full of pine-covered islands? The Bay of Matsushima in the Miyagi Prefecture is just that!
You can get a gorgeous view of the bay by walking the bridge to Fukuurajima Island, but there are tours to experience the bay by boat.
Take the bridge to Fukuurajima Island
One of my favorite things we did in Matsushima was cross the long red walking bridge to Fukuurajima Island. The island is only accessible by the walking bridge or by boat, so there are no cars on the island. Most sightseeing boat tours don’t actually dock at the island, so I highly recommend crossing the bridge on foot for your own visit.
The ticket to cross the bridge is 200 yen (round trip), or about $1.30. There is no fee outside of the opening hours of 8:30 to 5 p.m. The bridge is 252 meters long and takes about five minutes to cross.
Once you’ve reached the island, you’ll find parks, temples, and 300+ species of plants. A loop of the island takes about 30 minutes and offers gorgeous views of many of the 260 islands in the Bay of Matsushima.
Visit Zuiganji Temple – one of the most famous Zen temples
Established in the 17th century, the Zuiganji Temple is one of the most famous and significant Zen Buddhist temples. The temple is known for its gorgeous gardens and intricate wood carvings.
The temple is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a 500 yen entry fee. There are discounts available for students and young children.
Stay at a waterfront ryokan
I couldn’t say enough good things about the gorgeous Ryokan that we stayed at in Matsushima. From the minute that we arrived, the service was impeccable. We were immediately greeted with hand-whisked matcha and mochi, to enjoy overlooking the water.
The property itself offers both public and private onsens for guests to use. The public baths, separated by gender, are free to use by all guests. The private baths can be booked for a small fee.
Entsuin Temple
Entsuin Temple is another beautiful temple and a must-visit temple in Matsushima. The temple was founded in 1647 to honor a fallen samurai who was in line to rule Sendai. When he passed at the young age of 19, his father built Entsuin Temple in his honor. You’ll find a gorgeous Japanese traditional garden at the temple.
The temple is open daily from 9:00 to 4:00 pm. There is an entrance fee of 500 yen.
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Enjoy the famous seafood of Matsushima
Matsushima is famous for extra-large oysters. Tourists travel from all over the country to try these famous oysters. There are even a handful of all-you-can-eat oyster shacks in the city.
But you truly can’t go wrong with any of the seafood in Matsushima. We had a fantastic meal at
すし処 小野 where we enjoyed a sushi set of nigiri and hand rolls, washed down with some house sake. The fish was super fresh and delicious – and reasonably priced as well! I recommend a meal there if you’re visiting Matsushima.
How to get to Matsushima
Getting to Matsushima from Tokyo
To reach Matsushima from Tokyo you can take the 90-minute bullet train to Sendai, followed by a 40-minute ride on the Senseki Line.
Getting to Matsushima from Kyoto
Matushima is not quite as accessible from Kyoto as it is from Tokyo. It is almost a 10-hour drive from Kyoto to Matsushima. Luckily, the train system in Japan is fantastic.
You’ll need to first travel 2 hours from Kyoto to Japan by train, and then follow the same instructions as above from Tokyo to Matsushima. This is about a 4.5 to 5-hour train journey across 3 trains.
Visiting Japan? Here are some other articles to check out:
- 12 Beautiful Places to Visit in Japan
- My experience renting a car in Japan
- Guide to Uji, Japan
- 3 Week Japan Itinerary
- 21 Best Things to do in Kyoto
- 11 Things to Know Before Visiting Japan
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