黃國棟's Reviews Page 5/14

When visiting Matsushima, besides enjoying the beautiful bay scenery, don’t miss the Matsushima Fish Market, which is full of local character!

The market offers an abundant selection of fresh seafood from the Sanriku region. Although it isn’t very large, there are several stalls selling all kinds of snacks, fried seafood, and other treats. You can eat as you browse and experience the everyday atmosphere of a local Japanese fish market.

It doesn’t have the bustle of a large tourist market, giving it a more charming and welcoming local feel that makes it easy and relaxing to explore. When traveling to Matsushima, consider stopping by for a stroll and a few snacks to add a little delicious fun to your bay trip!

When visiting Matsushima, besides taking in the magnificent scenery of one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, I also highly recommend stopping by Matsushima Rikyu. Combining beautiful scenery, food, and a variety of activities, this tourist complex is a place where you can easily spend an entire day exploring at a leisurely pace.

During this visit, I happened to catch the nighttime light show. The countless lights illuminating the grounds created a dreamy, romantic scene so beautiful that I couldn’t help but stop and admire it. Every angle was perfect for photos!

What surprised me most was how completely different the scenery looked during the day and at night. In the daytime, it was fresh and bright, allowing you to appreciate the grounds as they normally are. Once night fell and the lights came on, the entire atmosphere instantly became romantic and enchanting, as if I had stepped into another world.

At first, I thought the admission price was a little high for a tourist attraction, but considering the overall setting and the nighttime light show, I still felt it was worth it.

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!

Visiting Matsushima, one of the Three Great Views of Japan, I finally got to see this breathtaking seascape with my own eyes! We took a sightseeing cruise and enjoyed views of islands large and small, each with a different shape, scattered across the sea. Nearly every island was covered in lush greenery, creating a beautiful natural scene against the deep blue water. As the boat slowly moved along, the islands constantly changed depending on the angle, offering a different view at every turn. I never got tired of looking at them!

Matsushima is definitely worth exploring by boat. Not only can you see many islands at once, but you can also experience the grandeur and charm of this unique landscape from the water. It's no wonder it's considered one of the Three Great Views of Japan. You can only truly appreciate its beauty after visiting in person!

The last stop on this trip to Matsushima was Zuiganji Temple, one of the most prominent historic temples in northeastern Japan. As soon as I entered the temple grounds, it felt as if I were cut off from the noise outside. The ancient, solemn atmosphere made me naturally slow down and quietly take in the history and passage of time here.

The dazzling National Treasure Main Hall is the highlight of Zuiganji Temple. It combines the lavish artistic style of the Momoyama period with features of shoin-style architecture, and the gold leaf, intricate paintings, and detailed wood carvings are stunning everywhere you look! It truly lives up to its status as an important temple rebuilt by Date Masamune, with extraordinary beauty displayed in everything from the architecture to the decorations. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the Main Hall, so you can only take it all in with your own eyes. You really have to visit in person to experience how impressive it is.

In Sendai, besides enjoying the beautiful scenery and delicious food, you can also plan a fun brewery tour! This time, we visited the Kirin Beer Sendai Brewery. The factory tour offers an easy way to learn about the brewing process and distinctive flavor of Kirin Ichiban beer, and you can also sample the delicious beer. I really recommend it for beer lovers!

We didn't make a reservation in advance this time, but we were still able to sign up on-site and join the tour. It seems you can also book ahead on the official website, so I recommend checking before you go! The tour costs JPY 500 per person, and afterward you can sample three glasses of beer. There are three options to choose from based on your preferences, which makes the tasting especially satisfying! Those who don't drink alcohol don't need to worry, as nonalcoholic beverages are also available, so everyone can enjoy the tour together. Learning about the brewing process and tasting different flavors made the whole experience both fun and rewarding.

If you're visiting the outskirts of Sendai, I really recommend planning a trip to Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium! As one of the Tohoku region's most notable aquariums, it not only has all kinds of marine life, but also super cute penguin activities that make it a lot of fun to explore!

I highly recommend the penguin feeding and penguin parade! The penguins were definitely what impressed me the most! You can get very, very close—close enough to really enjoy their adorable appearance and every little move they make. The cuteness is off the charts! Also, it wasn't crowded when we went, so we didn't have to squeeze through crowds. We could leisurely enjoy the penguin activities and take our time taking photos, which made the whole visit comfortable and relaxing.

Dining inside the aquarium was also a big plus! We ate lunch right at the aquarium. The food was reasonably priced, and most importantly, it tasted pretty good. There was no need to go out of our way to find a restaurant, so it was really convenient!

I recommend allowing 4–5 hours! You can take your time exploring the different exhibit areas and seeing the marine life, while saving enough time for the highly anticipated penguin activities. It's just the right amount of time without feeling rushed.

When visiting Sendai, in addition to shopping and enjoying the natural scenery, you can also plan an art outing to The Miyagi Museum of Art in the Kawauchi area of Aoba Ward.

The museum opened in 1981 and houses a diverse collection of Japanese paintings, Western-style paintings, sculptures, prints, arts and crafts, and more. It focuses especially on works by artists from Miyagi Prefecture and the Tohoku region, offering different perspectives on the area's art, culture, and history.

The museum is located by the river, away from the noise of the city center, giving it a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. A visit here isn't just about appreciating the artwork—you can also slow down and enjoy a quiet, pleasant moment.

After walking around Yagiyama Zoological Park in Sendai, I thought it was really nice overall! It's easy to get to, and exploring the zoo is very relaxing! After leaving the station, you can take the elevator directly to the fifth floor, then follow the route all the way down. There's no need to struggle with climbing up and down, making the visit easy and effortless.

You can also interact with small animals up close for free! In addition to seeing all kinds of animals, you can pet sheep and rabbits at no charge. Just get a numbered ticket first and then line up when it's your turn! There happened to be no one there at all when we went, so we didn't have to wait and could immediately enjoy interacting with the small animals up close. We were so lucky!

The zoo's thoughtful design was the biggest surprise! The animals all looked well cared for, the routes through the zoo were smoothly planned, and even the viewing areas were cleverly designed. It's especially suitable for families with young children, with many details taking their needs into consideration. The viewing platforms even have small steps so children can easily see the animals. Even the sinks are set at a child-friendly height, though the 3-year-old with us actually complained that they were too low.

From the visitor routes to the various facilities, you can really feel how welcoming the zoo is to children. Adults can explore with ease, while kids can have a great time too!

One of the iconic sights you shouldn't miss when visiting Sendai! The Sendai Castle Ruins are located on high ground, offering expansive views over the city. On a clear day, it's especially pleasant to take in the cityscape.

It's also easy to get here. You can take a bus directly to the site, so there's no need for a strenuous climb. Best of all, admission to the castle ruins is free!

Although the castle itself no longer exists, you can still feel the historical atmosphere of the era when Date Masamune ruled Sendai as you stand among the ruins. You can enjoy beautiful city views and experience Japanese history and culture without paying an admission fee. It's well worth adding to your self-guided Sendai itinerary!