Beautiful MATSUSHIMA BAY: One of Japan's Top 3 Scenic Views

Matsushima is one of the top 3 3 scenic views in Japan, with over 260 tiny islands. Take a look around Matsushima with me, and a boat trip around the bay.
Matsushima is a small seaside town in Japan, only half an hour on the train from Sendai. Sendai is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo on the shinkansen (bullet train), so it's quite easy to get to. It's known for seafood, and there are beautiful Japanese temples and shrines. In Matsushima bay there are hundreds of tiny islands. It's really picturesque! We took a cruise around the bay, and then went across the bridge to Godaido Temple. Next time we'll be exploring Fukuurijima Island and Entsuin Temple.
ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE: Watch my vlog from Miyajima, one of the other top 3 scenic places: • Miyajima: SO BEAUTIFUL...
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[@rossb9984587]

I visited Matsushima this autumn, and it was incredibly beautiful. I actually took a boat there from Shiogama, which was fun.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Great idea! It's such a unique place! :-)

[@towada1066]

hahaha! here! Basho's most famous poem,... (^_^) ... the more you think about it the deeper it becomes! 古池や 蛙飛び込む 水の音 hmmm, I think maybe you will like Dogashima ...

[@cakeswithfaces]

The Izu Peninsula is a possibility for my next trip but not sure yet!

[@towada1066]

@@cakeswithfaces you can catch a ferry to there from Numazu,... um, some of the outdoor seaside onsen aren't very well fenced (^_^) ... if you like Kawabata novels there is also Amagi Pass.

[@quintrankid8045]

One of my favorite poems.

[@jinbutsufumei]

hachidori 106 Thanks! But now I have to search through my kanji book again! 🤔

[@towada1066]

@@jinbutsufumei ah! I'm sorry,... here is my terrible translation: furu ike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto an ancient pond a frog jumps in the sound of water

[@japan1018]

Have never been there but looks great and thanks for the look. Studying Japanese culture has taken up a couple decades of my life now but one of the ways they make it easy is their love of rankings...

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, yes, it's like a mini challenge to visit all the top 3 places! :-)

[@quintrankid8045]

Some of those little islands look like bansai plants.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, I hadn't realised that but they absolutely do!! 😝

[@seliara1234]

It's a great video! I hope one day I can visit to Matsushima, my youngest son lives in Sendai now

[@cakeswithfaces]

Perfect - you have somewhere nearby to stay! :-) I'd love to go back to Sendai and visit places around Yamagata too. Thank you!

[@Lizard14]

Didn't know anything about this place, looks beautiful! Looking forward to the next one :) Have you ever been to Nagano? I'm thinking about including it in my future trip and looking for more information!

[@cakeswithfaces]

No, I haven't been there but I'd love to go! I'd like to see the Shiraito Waterfalls at Karuizawa.

[@winterkarasu7560]

..Now i know why the poet Basho was lost for words..👍💕👌

[@cakeswithfaces]

So unusual to have so many tiny islands!

[@winterkarasu7560]

@@cakeswithfaces ..Maybe the place wasn't submerged in water before?😉

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@winterkarasu7560 That'd be like being on another planet!! Like monument valley or something! :-)

[@winterkarasu7560]

@@cakeswithfaces ..Yes that could be possible, i wonder what it looks like underwater?

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Happy thanksgiving Amy from USA.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Cakes with Faces thanks amy

[@garrytuohy9267]

There is a bay on the west coast of Ireland (Clew Bay) that supposedly has an island for each day of the year. However, they are all much lower and smoother as they were formed by a glacier.

[@cakeswithfaces]

The Matsushima of Ireland! Much closer to home :-)

[@あいうえお-o6s1f]

Hello ! It's so, so, so beautiful ! If possible, please go to Matsushima on Autumn one day. I recommend it ! I'm looking forward your next video !

[@jinbutsufumei]

あいうえお Hello again! I'm hoping to visit Matsushima at the end of April next year as part of an attempt to travel all the way north to Wakkanai. Though I have to hope that Golden Week won't be too much of a problem for trains and hotels in Hokkaido. The 'Japan By Rail' guide recommends taking the train from Sendai to Shiogama and then the ferry to Matsushima. Apparently the Tohoku Line is a pleasant way to continue north to Ichinoseki, where I plan to visit Hiraizumi as well. I would value any advice or comments you might be able to offer about these plans based on your local knowledge and love of Japan's landscapes. Best wishes! (Obviously everyone else is welcome to chip in with their ideas, too!)

[@あいうえお-o6s1f]

@@jinbutsufumei Hello again Mr. Blakey ! I'd like to give as effective info as possible for you. How long will you stay in Japan ? And, I don't know your main interest. So, I'll give just my recommendation. I think your plan is good in basically. Sendai, Matsushima, Hiraizumi, all are good, of course Hokkaido too. Do you know 'Sakura-Zensen' ? 'Sakura-Zensen' means Cherry Blossom Front. Usually, Cherry Blossom bloom on end of March to early April in Tokyo. About just two weeks. Sapporo is in Golden Week. How is the way north with Cherry Blossom Front ? My recommendation is to stop by Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, before going to Hokkaido. There is the Hirosaki garden with Hirosaki Castle in Hirosaki city. It can be seen so great Cherry Blossom ! Probably, timing is to meet. Please make good plan and have pleasant journey ! Best wishes !

[@jinbutsufumei]

@@あいうえお-o6s1f My dear friend, Please call me Fred! Thank you for your quick but thoughtful reply! My plan is to spend a week in Tokyo, then use a two-week JR Rail Pass travelling in the north, before a final week in Tokyo. I intend to head up the east side of Honshu, visiting Nikko, Yamadera, Matsushima and Hiraizumi, and then see how much of Hokkaido I can explore. I would return via the west coast of northern Honshu, so Hirosaki is definitely on my itinerary! Yes, I have heard of the cherry blossom front and have seen Japanese media reports detailing its approach from past years. But even if I miss the yoshino hanami in Tokyo, maybe I can catch up with them or see the mountain sakura or other species further north? I'm mainly interested in landscapes and the natural environment as well as traditional arts and crafts. But that doesn't stop me loving modern interpreters of tsugaru shamisen such as Ki&Ki or players of 'western' instruments like my current favourite rock group, Band-Maid! Although I'm not into manga or anime, when it comes to music I guess I could be described as otaku! Warm regards 😊

[@cakeswithfaces]

Sounds like a great trip! And thanks for helping with advice あいうえお! I'd love to visit Yamadera and Hiraizumi - they look beautiful. I'm sure you'll be able to catch the cherry blossoms at some point, as you're travelling so far north, you'll cross them somewhere I'm sure! When I was in Osaka I thought it was too late (and they were early that year too) but I still managed to see them! There are early and late blooming varieties :-) In any case, I'm glad you're visiting areas of Japan off the main track for foreign tourists. They should be less crowded and therefore all the more enjoyable!

[@jinbutsufumei]

@@cakeswithfaces Thanks for your encouragement, Amy! And more thanks for your series of posts which seem to create a space for informed and enthusiastic feedback that feels like a supportive community! あいうえお and I have chatted before on your channel, and I have welcomed comments which are always both informative and friendly. So, for example, I am now aware that I need to consider visiting Hirosaki on the way north to see the area at its finest in the spring. Now I can hardly wait for the next chapter on Matsushima!

[@jeffbayne8871]

Hi Amy! We are back from Tokyo! We had a great time and all your advice helped so much! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! We flew into Narita and stayed 5 nights in the Best Western Fino - Akihabara/Ueno and then 4 nights at the Hilton Tokyo Bay. Two very different hotels and almost like two different vacations. FOOD - CoCo Curry! OMG, that is a reason for the trip by itself. It was our first meal after arriving. So good. 90% of the food was excellent and 10% was only good. We were adventurous and tried things and saved lots of money by eating street food and at small places. SIGHTS - As planned we went to Odaiba first and shopped and got our Disney tickets. In the following days, we went to Yoyogi, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno Zoo and museums, and spent lots of time in Akihabara. All of it was lots of fun. No problem with language or catching trains (Thanks to your help!). 4 days at Disney - We love Disney here in the US and had a great time there. Only regret was we were worn out. We are not young anymore and we were exhausted. But not complaining... it was so much fun. The only thing I would say that was a negative was the weather. It was great but not what we were ready for. For us, it was hot (Keep in mind it was mid-November and we are from Arizona). The locals were wearing coats and I was just in a T-shirt. Every Western-looking person I saw was also not wearing a coat and every local was bundled up. Kinda funny. It must be a difference in what they are used to or something about how thin they are and how "not thin" I am LOL. I would have brought more light clothes if I had known. Also, Disney does not sell t-shirts in the winter. All you will find is jackets and sweaters. We had a great time and will make plans to go back after the Olympics, maybe around 2022. Thanks again for all your help in the planning and such!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah I loved hearing about your trip, thanks so much for letting me know how it went! I miss Coco Curry too!! There's one in London now - I'll have to make it there at some point. You're right - you don't have to spend money to have good (great!) food. So good! I've never been in November but it does seem like Japan has quite a short winter. I didn't find it as cold in February as in the UK either. Sounds like you did a lot - it's not a relaxing holiday by any means! Good idea to avoid the Olympics I think!!

[@itarukojo]

I wanna try to enjoy Zunda soft cream someday.

[@cakeswithfaces]

You can get milkshakes too, they have them in Sendai!

[@itarukojo]

@@cakeswithfaces Thank you for your reply. I will definitely try.

[@j.potter8961]

I'm going to visit this next month... 😍😍😍

[@cakeswithfaces]

Great choice, I really enjoyed it - such a unique place! Hope you can make it there safely! :-)

[@j.potter8961]

Thank You... Can't Wait To Visit The Place.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Great vid Amy, looked like you had a good time, I bet that place would be fantastic in the summer time, you might even find yourself slurping down some oysters...lol.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, not me but oysters are the local specialty so here's the place to do it! I love the seaside, I'm sure it'd be fantastic!

[@willsonize2278]

This looks like a great place to go thanks for sharing 😀🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really enjoyed it! And not that far away from Tokyo really!

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

Earthquake and tsunami???? You mean gojira take a walk for icecream

[@cakeswithfaces]

Which flavour would he choose...? Skyscraper flavour? :-)

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@cakeswithfaces I am sure that would choice you to go king Kong on the highest skyscraper of tokyo

[@mikegutknecht6145]

I was born in Berlin raised in America,lived on Guam for 10 years and for the last 20 years have lived in Japan,you have opened my eyes to places I haven’t seen but will.Thanks

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@mikegutknecht6145 Really? I'm glad to have helped! It's always the way - I haven't visited half the places on my doorstep either! :-)

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@mikegutknecht6145 sarcasm or lack of sense give humor ?

[@194DAG]

Very nice video. Islands look beautiful.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really enjoyed it, one of the highlights of the trip for sure!

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

Japan seagulls are the best

[@cakeswithfaces]

They know what they're doing! :-)

[@franco3584]

Loved it, Fun Video

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@RichardsAdventures]

Looks awesome

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really enjoyed it! :-)

[@vrakula]

Love all your Japan videos! Are you going there soon again?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much! Not sure when I'll be able to go next but I'm always planning places to go! :-)

[@trevorrandom]

Beautiful ☺ ♥ 🇯🇵

[@cakeswithfaces]

Really enjoyed it there! :-)

[@NelsonWin]

Now you're Hatsune Miku now. ❤❤❤🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, that's what an attendant at the station ticket barriers called me! 😝

[@NelsonWin]

@@cakeswithfaces OH MY WORD!!!... 😱😱😱 (oopsies.. i just watched too much Brit TV shows) but nevermind 😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@NelsonWin Which shows do you like? :-)

[@NelsonWin]

@@cakeswithfaces Primeval... (every other kids show on Cebebies... i used to watch when my mum was working at the British Embassy) Prehistoric Park Sherlock and such..

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@NelsonWin Ah I haven't seen Primeval but they often have the actors at comic con in London! Sherlock's great! :-)

[@jinbutsufumei]

I loved reading Alex Kerr's 'Lost Japan' earlier this year and can also recommend his 'Another Kyoto', especially for anyone interested in traditional Japanese building methods and decoration. By the way, a legend from 'the olden times' says that gulls will only steal your phone if your contacts include Albert Ross 🤭

[@cakeswithfaces]

😝 Albert Ross 😝 I didn't realise he had another book! There's a chapter in Lost Japan called Another Kyoto I think? Sometimes it sounds like he doesn't like modern day Japan very much - he has some unique opinions but the whole book's pretty interesing!

[@jinbutsufumei]

@@cakeswithfaces Chapter 9 of 'Lost Japan' is just called 'Kyoto' but has the subtitle: 'Kyoto Hates Kyoto'. So I have to agree that Alex Kerr is certainly opinionated, but he provides insights which few 'western' writers could have achieved and expounded. 'Another Kyoto' focuses on traditional architecture and items such as screens and plaques, but also reveals the culture and philosophy which formed them. For example, his chapter entitled: 'Shin Gyo So' introduced me to design concepts from classical calligraphy which have influenced many aspects of the visual arts in Japan. I'm starting to think that I need to reread both books. But first those Band-Maid videos are summoning me again! 🤘🏻🎌✌🏻