The holiday season has arrived. When touring tourist spots on your trip, don’t you want to see as many places as possible in a limited amount of time? This is when renting a bicycle is a great way to see the sights. Let’s set out on a pottering tour to enjoy Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi Prefecture.

What is Matsushima like?

Matsushima is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, and is the generic name for more than 260 islands in Matsushima Bay, a scenic spot loved by the first lord of the Sendai domain, Date Masamune, and the haiku poet Matsuo Basho. It has a long history and has attracted many people since the Heian period (794-1192).

Sightseeing boats that tour the islands in the bay are popular. They can choose a course according to their purpose and time.
Slow walking is good for sightseeing, but a bicycle is a good way to stretch your legs a little and see various places.

Rent a bicycle at Aiara Shoten

It takes about 40 minutes from JR Sendai Station to Matsushima-kaigan Station on the JR Sengoku Line. Arrive at Matsushima-kaigan Station.

There was a café right after getting off the train, a ticket booth for sightseeing boats, and many people.

We rented a bicycle at “Aihara Shoten,” a one-minute walk from the station.

The shop is open from 9:00 a.m., and you can use a city bicycle with a basket for 500 yen for two hours.
They are cute bicycles with a retro atmosphere. It has three gears.

I will tour around Matsushima with a friend who is a cycling novice by renting a bicycle.

National Route 45, which runs in front of the station, is part of “Miyagi Cycling Route: Miyagi Route for Earthquake Reconstruction and Legacy.” The core route running along the coast is about 280km long. Matsushima is also located on the route. The arrow feathers on the road are painted in dark red.

Entsuin Temple

There was a large signboard.

Many temples related to the Date family still remain in the area, and Entsuin temple also enshrines Mitsumune, the second son of the second lord of the Sendai domain, Tadamune.
The gate is designated as a cultural asset of the town. Many people visited the temple.

The beautiful garden was wonderful. We also experienced making prayer beads. It took about 30 minutes to complete.
We finished our walk and went to the next place by bicycle.

Shokado Confectionary Shop

A two-story store located along the national highway, on the first floor you can purchase rice crackers and other items.
On the second floor, there is a café overlooking Matsushima.

I ordered  Shoukado sponge cake set.
The castella was elastic and fluffy, and was excellent.
My friend ordered Shokado pudding. The hard pudding with bitter caramel sauce was delicious.

After taking a break, we went to see Fukuura Bridge.

The 252m vermilion-lacquered bridge over Fukuura Island was magnificent. Although we did not cross the bridge due to time constraints, it is said that crossing the bridge is said to bring good luck.

Footbath at Matsushima Hot Springs “Ubudo”

We don’t have time to soak in a hot spring, but a footbath might give us the feeling! So we stopped by the footbath.

It looks like an arbor. It is located right in front of Hotel Ubudo.

Anyone can enter for free from 9:00 to 17:00. The capacity is limited to 8 people.
The view of the islands is breathtaking.

The clear and soft water was pleasant. After putting my feet in for a few minutes, my body became warm.
If you forgot your towel, you can buy one at the hotel for 150 yen. Since it was only for my feet, a towel handkerchief was sufficient.

On the way, I found a local manhole.

It depicted Godaido, one of the tourist attractions said to have been built by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.

In front of the “Michinoku Date Masamune History Museum,” there was a panel showing the face of Date Masamune.

We stopped by the central plaza for a while. We were able to see Godaido, which was depicted on a manhole.
Please note that bicycles are not allowed in the park.

Also, there are many cars on Route 45, so please drive carefully.
Just past Matsushima-kaigan Station is Miyagi Matsushima Rikyu, which opened in 2020.

This commercial facility includes a restaurant and souvenir store, as well as a museum. It used to have an aquarium.
Bicycle rentals are also available here.

Oshima (Male Island)

Not far from Matsushima Rikyu is Oshima Island.
The space in front of the signboard seems to be a parking space for bicycles.

Oshima is said to have been a place for monks and pilgrims from various countries to practice asceticism.
Matsuo Basho visited Ojima with his disciples in his “Okunohosomichi” (Basho’s Narrow Road), and a monument to his haiku stands there.

The vermilion-lacquered bridge to cross to Oshima, called “Togetsu-kyo,” is said to be the bridge to break off bad relationships.
Fukuura Bridge and Sukashi Bridge are also said to bring good luck.

We could see different views from different places.
As the time for the train was approaching, we returned the rental bicycles and ended our pottering.

Course Introduction

Distance: 4.8km

▼Entsuin Temple
http://www.entuuin.or.jp/

▼Fukuura Bridge
http://www.town.miyagi-matsushima.lg.jp/index.cfm/8,8393,36,html

▼Matsushima Rikyu
https://rikyu-m.com/

Summary

Although the time for sightseeing was limited and we only had 4.8 km for pottering, we were able to visit many places by using bicycles. For first-time bicycle riders, I recommend riding at tourist spots.

A friend of mine who does not usually ride a bicycle said, “Bicycles are great for getting to places that are a little out of the way. I could get around a lot in a little time!” It seemed that he enjoyed pottering around the city. It is good to take a city bike for a leisurely tour once in a while.

Next time, I would like to take my road bike on a loop and ride Miyagi Cycling Route.