Matsushima
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Template:Nihongo is a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) – hence the name – and it is considered to be one of the Three Views of Japan.
Nearby cultural properties include Zuigan-ji, Entsū-in, Kanrantei, and the Satohama shell mound.
ViewsEdit
A well-known haiku describes the islands as so striking that the poet is at a loss for words:
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{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:Transliteration Matsushima ah! / A-ah, Matsushima, ah! / Matsushima, ah! </poem>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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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).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While Bashō did visit Matsushima in Oku no Hosomichi, its only haiku about Matsushima was written by his travel comparison Kawai Sora.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Four views of MatsushimaEdit
There are four well-known spots to view the Matsushima, known as the Template:Nihongo, Template:Nihongo, Template:Nihongo, and Template:Nihongo.
- Matsushima otakamori08Dec07.jpg
Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori
- Matsushima tomiyama10Mar07.jpg
Beautiful View: The view from Tomiyama
- Matsushima ogidani23Nov07.jpg
Enchanting View: The view from Ogitani
- Matsushima tamonsan11Feb07.jpg
Grand View: The view from Tamonzan
CruiseEdit
Tourists can view the islands from up close on cruise boats.
- Nioujima.jpg
Niōjima
- Senganjima.jpg
Senganjima: Masamune Date's favorite island
- Komonejima.jpg
Komonejima
- Matsushima famous island.jpg
Kanejima
- Futagojima.jpg
Futagojima
- Misagojima.jpg
Misagojima
- Kaerujima.jpg
Kaerujima
- Meganejima.jpg
Takashima, also known as Meganejima
TransportationEdit
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 earthquakeEdit
Despite the proximity of Matsushima to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the area was protected by the islands and suffered relatively little damage.<ref>Template:Cite news </ref><ref>Martin, Alex, "Tsunami spared Matsushima but swept away bay's tourists", Japan Times, 17 August 2011, p. 3.</ref> 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.<ref name="matsushitatowninfo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ActivitiesEdit
Around the island travelers can go on a cruise and view the islands up close, and around the Matsushima shore travelers can rent bikes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
