Matsushima

Matsushima's top Zen temple with over a thousand years of history, but not a top choice for relaxation: tickets are sold from vending machines and guides shouting into megaphones herd tour groups through the temple, which has been turning into a museum with everything of interest partitioned off and/or packaged in glass cases. The approach with its moss-covered Kannon statues is atmospheric though.

It was built in Kyoto by famed Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It was moved to Matsushima by Date Tadamune in 1645 and is the largest Momoyama-style tea house in Japan. An excellent place to stop for a ¥200 cup of tea (traditional Japanese sweets included) and a view of the Matsushima coastline.

Connected to the mainland by a long bridge, the island is crisscrossed in all directions by paths small and large, paved and muddy, well-trod and overgrown. A circuit of the island won't take more than an hour and there are some very sparsely beautiful spots to be seen. An interesting anecdote, there is a local superstition that crossing the bridge with a girlfriend/boyfriend will cause a breakup.

The museum contains three separate collections; the Orgel Collection of music players, the Segawa Collection of fashion from 1870-1960, and the Kitahara Toy Collection, featuring a variety of old, nostalgic toys.

A picturesque building built on its own peninsula overlooking the bay, it is a well-known symbol of the city. It was founded 807 and the current structure dates back to 1604.

Entsū-in is a Buddhist temple that was founded in 1647 as a mausoleum for Mitsumune, the grandson of the powerful feudal lord Date Masamune. The temple is known for its traditional gardens and a small mausoleum decorated with intricate paintings.

One of the 4 Famous Places to view Matsushima Bay and a good place to catch the sunset over the island. The start of the 1-km trail to the top is some 3 km from the Pila Youth Hostel in Oku-Matsushima.