Matsushima, Miyagi

Matsushima (松島町, Matsushima-machi) is a town in Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. As of September 2015, the town had an estimated population of 14,502 and a population density of 271 persons per km². The total area was 53.56 square kilometres (20.68 sq mi). It is most famous as the location of Matsushima Bay, one of the Three Views of Japan, and is also the site of the Zuigan-ji, one of the most famous Zen temples in Tōhoku, Entsū-in and Kanrantei.

Geography

Matsushima is in east-central Miyagi Prefecture, with Matsushima Bay to the east. The town’s highest point is Mount Danyama, with a height of 178 meters.

Neighboring municipalities

History

The area of present-day Matsushima was part of ancient Mutsu Province and has been settled since at least the Jomon period. The Daikigakoi Shell Mound is one of the largest shell middens to have been discovered in Japan. With the establishment of Tagajō in the Nara period, Matsushima was part of the Yamato colonization area in the region. During the Sengoku period, the area was contested by samurai clans before it came under the control of the Date clan of Sendai Domain during the Edo period, under the Tokugawa shogunate.

Matsushima

Matsushima (松島) is a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) – hence the name – and is ranked as one of the Three Views of Japan.

A well-known apocryphal haiku often attributed to Matsuo Bashō indicates that the poet is at a loss for words:

Nearby cultural properties include Zuigan-ji, Entsū-in, Kanrantei, and the Satohama shell mound.

Views

Four views of Matsushima

There are four well-known spots to view the Matsushima, known as the Magnificent View (壮観, sōkan), Beautiful View (麗観, reikan), Enchanting View (幽観, yūkan), and Grand View (偉観, ikan).

Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori

Magnificent View: The view from Otakamori

Beautiful View: The view from Toyama

Beautiful View: The view from Toyama

Enchanting View: The view from Ogidani

Enchanting View: The view from Ogidani

Grand View: The view from Tamonsan

Grand View: The view from Tamonsan

Cruise

Tourists can view the islands from up close on cruise boats.

Matsushima (disambiguation)

Matsushima is a common name in Japan. It can refer to any of the following:

Locations

People

Other

List of minor planets: 6001–7000