All Reviews of Matsushima Cruise

When visiting Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, you absolutely shouldn’t miss taking a sightseeing cruise around Matsushima Bay! Matsushima is known as one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, with more than 260 islands of various sizes scattered throughout the bay. Covered in lush trees and striking rock formations, the islands’ unique charm can truly be appreciated up close from the water aboard a sightseeing boat.

This time, I took the very popular Niomaru Course. The entire cruise takes about 50 minutes, passing one unusually shaped island after another. As the boat moves along, the scenery keeps changing, with a different kind of beauty from every angle.

The deep blue water, the islands in all kinds of shapes, and the clear, sunny weather that day made the entire cruise incredibly refreshing! There’s no need to rush. Simply sitting on the boat and quietly admiring the scenery shaped by nature over the years is an enjoyable experience in itself.

Matsushima Cruise | Niomaru Course: The cruise takes about 50 minutes. When visiting Matsushima, besides strolling along the coast and enjoying the island scenery, I also recommend exploring Matsushima Bay by boat to experience a completely different view from what you see on land. This cruise is definitely a worthwhile stop to include in your Matsushima trip!

Taking the Matsushima Cruise lets you enjoy views of Matsushima Bay from the water. The surrounding islands and rock formations each have their own distinctive shapes, and the sea breeze makes it very relaxing. Compared with viewing it from shore, the scenery from the boat feels much more expansive, and you can really appreciate the grandeur of nature. Along the way, you can listen to the guide while enjoying the view outside the window, then stroll through the old streets after getting off the boat and try various snacks and fresh oysters. It’s a very pleasant experience!

The Matsushima sightseeing cruise is really worth taking! Seeing Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Great Views, up close from the water is beautiful. On a clear day, the deep blue sea and all the islands are so stunning you won't want to blink. The tickets aren't expensive, so don't miss it when you visit Matsushima! Even more surprising, there were only a little over 10 people on my boat, including me. I couldn't help thinking, “Can they really make money like this?” Being able to enjoy the scenery so leisurely was also a rare experience. If you get the chance, please come and support them.

Taking a large sightseeing boat is the best way to enjoy Matsushima Bay. You can get a close-up view of the many big and small islands scattered across the bay. The gentle sea breeze and the seagulls flying alongside make it a lot of fun.
After getting off the boat, you can try the fresh oyster dishes at the nearby restaurants. I normally don’t care much for oysters, but this totally changed the way I think about them. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the sweet ocean flavor bursts out with each bite. Paired with the restaurant’s special dipping sauce, all I could think was: "Umai~~"

If you're visiting Matsushima, you have to take the cruise! After the boat ride, go try the grilled oysters.

There are lots of cruise companies operating in Matsushima, and you don't need a reservation or to wait—boats are running all the time.