Kanran-tei Pavilion

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.