For hundreds of years, Matsushima Bay (松島湾, Matsushima-wan) has been celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views alongside Miyajima and Amanohashidate. The bay is dotted by over 200 small islands covered by pine trees.

A good way to enjoy the bay is by sightseeing cruise. Multiple companies offer various courses, including circular cruises starting and ending at Matsushima and cruises that connect Matsushima with nearby Shiogama. Cruises last around 50 minutes and cost between 1500 and 2000 yen.

Getting there and around

Cruises depart from Matsushima Pier, a 5-10 minute walk from Matsushima Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line, and from Shiogama Pier (Marine Gate Shiogama), a 5-10 minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station, three stations ahead of Matsushima Kaigan Station on the same line.

A popular route is taking the Senseki Line from Sendai to Shiogama, then a cruise to Matsushima, before returning to Sendai by train (or the other way around).

How to get to and around Matsushima

Hours and Fees

Sightseeing cruises

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Matsushima

Top rated in Matsushima
Budget:
    • Matsushima Ichinobo
      Luxury
      Featuring free property-wide WiFi, a spa centre and a seasonal outdoor pool, Matsushima Ichinobo offers accommodation in Matsushima. The ryokan has a hot spring bath and sauna, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this ryokan is air conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. For your comfort, you will find yukata robes, slippers and free toiletries. There is free shuttle service, gift shop, and shops at the property. Zuiganji Temple is located 1.2 km away. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, 30 km from the property.
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    • Komatsu-kan Kofu-tei
      Luxury
      Located right in front of Matsushima Bay, Komatsukan Kofu-tei offers accommodations with free wired internet access. Guests can refresh in the public hot-spring baths and enjoy traditional multi-course meals in their rooms. A free shuttle is available from JR Matsushima Kaigan Train Station, which is a 5-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms feature a TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. Most rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding, while some rooms come with a private open-air bath. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy the public indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths or reserve a hot-spring bath for private use. Massages can be requested for an extra cost and local souvenirs can be purchased at the gift shop. Luggage storage and laptop rentals are available at the front desk. Local fresh seafood and ingredients are offered in the traditional multi-course meals. Kofutei Komatsukan is a 10-minute walk from Godaido Shrine and a 15-minute walk from Zugan-ji Temple.
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    • Uchi Matsushima Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Uchi is situated in Matsushima, 200 metres from Zuigan-ji Temple. Guests can enjoy listening to music or watching TV in the common area. You will find a shared lounge at the property. There is a hot spring bath facility, a 5-minute drive from the property. Property prepares a coupon for the hot spring. A convenience store is located 10 minutes walk away from Uchi Matsushima Guesthouse. The property is a 7-minute walk from Matsushimakaigan Station. Guests can also enjoy sightseeing at Zuigan-ji Temple, or walk across the street to the boat pier and book a cruise ship tour.
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    • Matsushima Koumura
      Mid-range
      Matsushima Koumura provides a hot tub and free private parking, and is within 10 km of Shiogama Shrine and 24 km of Sendai City Community Support Center. There is a private entrance at the ryokan for the convenience of those who stay. The ryokan features family rooms. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a hot tub, slippers and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom with a bath and a hair dryer, units at the ryokan also provide guests with free WiFi. At the ryokan, all units have bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the garden. Entsuin Temple is 1.4 km from the ryokan, while Sendai Toshogu is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, 35 km from Matsushima Koumura.
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    • Hotel Matsushima Taikanso
      Luxury
      Featuring free WiFi and a seasonal outdoor pool, Hotel Matsushima Taikanso offers accommodation in Matsushima, 1 km from Zuigen Temple. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Free private parking is available on site. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. For your comfort, you will find slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is a 24-hour front desk and gift shop at the property. Guests can enjoy a buffet of Japanese, Chinese and Western-style cuisine for dinner. For breakfast, there is a buffet of Japanese and Western-style dishes. Entsuin Temple is 900 metres away from the property. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, 28 km from Hotel Matsushima Taikanso.
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    • Matsushima Petit Hotel Bistro Abalon
      Mid-range
      Located on a hilltop, Petit Hotel Bistro Abalon boasts sweeping views of the ocean and Matsushima Islands, renowned as one of the Three Views of Japan. It offers Western and Japanese-style rooms, a garden and free WiFi at all areas. A free shuttle runs to/from Matsushima Kaigan Station. Free private parking is available on site. Air-conditioned rooms at the Petit Hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an attached bathroom. Yukata robes and complimentary green tea are provided. Japanese-style rooms feature a terrace, a tatami (woven-straw) floor and traditional futon bedding. A Western-style Kaiseki course meal featuring fresh local Miyagi and Matsushima seafood are served for dinner upon reservation, at least 1 day in advance. There are 2 private baths available at the property, one is for family use, and the other bath features a goemon traditional Japanese bathtub. The bathtub for family use is 120 cm wide and 160 cm long. Matsushima Petit Hotel Bistro Abalon is a 7-minute walk from Matsushima Kaigan Station, and a 15-minute stroll from Zuigan-ji Temple.
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    • Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Hotel Sokan
      Mid-range
      Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Hotel Sokan is located in Matsushima, 11 km from Shiogama Shrine, 25 km from Sendai City Community Support Center, and 1.6 km from Entsuin Temple. This ryokan provides free private parking and a 24-hour front desk. Guests also enjoy access to the sauna and hot spring bath, as well as the public bath and open-air bath. Every unit features a private bathroom and bidet, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. The ryokan offers certain units with city views, and all units come with a kettle. The units are equipped with heating facilities. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. At Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Hotel Sokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and serves Japanese cuisine. You can play table tennis at this 3-star ryokan. Sendai Toshogu is 22 km from the accommodation, while Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi is 23 km away. Sendai Airport is 35 km from the property.
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    • Shintomi-tei
      Mid-range
      Offering Japanese-style rooms, Shintomi-tei offers public indoor/outdoor public baths and relaxing massages. Free Wi-Fi is available at the lobby area and free parking is on-site. A free shuttle is available from JR Matsushima Train Station, which is a 5-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floor and Japanese futon bedding. A flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea are included in each. Guests can wear the provided Japanese Yukata robes and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can purchase local gifts at the souvenir shop and enjoy late-night snacks at the karaoke bar. Japanese set menus are served for breakfast and dinner at the dining room. Shintomi-tei Inn is a 10-minute walk from Entsu-in Temple and Zuigan-ji Temple. Matsushima Bay is a 15-minute walk away. JR Sendai Train Station is a 35-minute train ride away.
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