Matsushima Bay, with its island cruise, the red bridge to Fukuurajima and the temple garden of Entsu-in, is the most famous sight in Miyagi and an easy day trip from Sendai. Matsushima is counted among the Three Views of Japan, alongside Miyajima and Amanohashidate, thanks to the many small islands of pale rock and twisted pine that dot the bay. The town around Matsushima-Kaigan Station packs a lot into a short walk: boat piers, Zen temples, seafood restaurants and viewpoints. This guide covers the best way to see the bay from the water, which islands and temples to visit on foot, 2026 prices and hours, and where to stay if you want to see the bay at sunrise.
1. Matsushima Bay Island Cruise
The best way to understand why Matsushima is so celebrated is from the water. Matsushima Shima-meguri sightseeing cruises run the Niomaru course, a loop of about 17 km that takes about 50 minutes and passes close to oddly shaped islands such as rock arches and pine-topped pillars that seem to float on the bay. Boats leave every hour from 9:00 to 16:00 (the 16:00 boat does not run in winter), and fares are 1,500 yen for adults and 750 yen for children aged 6 to 12. For the best views, pay an extra 600 yen on board for a seat on the upper deck. Seagulls often follow the boat, and the open decks are windy, so bring a layer even on sunny days. Back on land, walk to Godaido, a small temple hall on an islet linked by short red bridges; it is free and open 8:30 to 17:00, and the statues inside are shown only once every 33 years, next in 2039.
2. Fukuurajima Island and the Red Bridge
Fukuurajima is a wooded island connected to the shore by the bright red Fukuura Bridge, about 252 meters long, one of the most photographed sights in Matsushima. Walking across the bridge gives you wide views of the bay, and on the island itself, quiet paths wind through the trees past small viewpoints and benches, a peaceful contrast to the busy waterfront. Allow about an hour to walk the island at a relaxed pace. Entry costs 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children, including the bridge, and the toll gate is open from 8:30 to 17:00 from March to October and until 16:30 from November to February. The bridge starts a short walk east of the main cruise piers, so it is easy to combine with the boat ride and Godaido. Come in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the tour groups have thinned out, and look back from the bridge for a view of the town and its waterfront.
3. Entsu-in and Zuiganji Temples
Next to the great Zen temple of Zuiganji, Entsu-in is a smaller temple with beautiful gardens and the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, built in 1646 for the grandson of Date Masamune, the lord who founded Sendai. Its rose garden and rock garden are lovely, and its maple trees make it one of Matsushima’s best autumn spots. Entry is 500 yen for adults. In 2026, the autumn illumination runs from October 24 to November 23, 17:30 to 21:00 (last entry 20:45), when the maples are lit up at night; entry is 1,500 yen for adults and free for elementary school age and under. Zuiganji itself, the Date family’s temple with its cave hermitages carved into the cliff, raised its admission on April 1, 2026 to 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for students. It opens at 8:30 and closes between 15:30 and 17:00 depending on the month, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Where to Stay Near Matsushima
Where to stay: MatsushimaHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Most visitors see Matsushima as a day trip from Sendai, but staying overnight lets you see the bay at sunrise and enjoy a seafood dinner without watching the clock. Hotels cluster around the waterfront and on the hills above it.
Luxury
Matsushima Ichinobo is a waterfront spa hotel at Takagihama on the bay, a short ride from the central piers, popular for relaxing views over the water.
Waterfront spa hotel with bay views.
Mid-Range
Hotel Matsushima Taikanso is a large hotel on the hill above the bay, about 0.6 miles from Zuiganji, with sweeping views and a seasonal outdoor pool.
Hilltop hotel with views over Matsushima.
Budget-Friendly
Uchi Matsushima Guesthouse is a small guesthouse in the center of Matsushima with a shared lounge, within walking distance of the piers, Zuiganji and Godaido.
Friendly guesthouse near the waterfront.
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Hotels in Matsushima on Booking.com
Stay by Matsushima Bay to see the islands at sunrise, with the cruise piers, Zuiganji and Fukuurajima within walking distance.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Get off at Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line, not Matsushima Station, which is inland and about a 25-minute walk from Zuiganji.
- Take the cruise first, then walk to Godaido, Zuiganji, Entsu-in and Fukuurajima, which are all close together.
- Try the local oysters, which are in season from autumn to spring, and grilled seafood from the stands near the piers.
- Visit Entsu-in in late October or November for autumn colors and the evening illumination.
- Combine Matsushima with Shiogama Shrine, which is on the same train line on the way back to Sendai.
Getting there by train: From Sendai, the JR Senseki Line reaches Matsushima-Kaigan Station in about 40 minutes for 420 yen, and the JR Pass covers it. Sendai is about 90 minutes from Tokyo by Hayabusa on the Tohoku Shinkansen; Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Hayabusa trains, which require a seat reservation. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, check whether the JR Pass is worth it, and see our guide from Narita and Haneda to Tokyo if you are flying in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Matsushima Bay cruise?
The Niomaru course of the Matsushima Shima-meguri cruise takes about 50 minutes and costs 1,500 yen for adults. Boats leave every hour from 9:00 to 16:00, with no 16:00 departure in winter.
How much does Fukuurajima cost?
Entry to Fukuurajima, including the red Fukuura Bridge, costs 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.
How much is Zuiganji admission in 2026?
Since April 1, 2026, Zuiganji admission is 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for students.
Can you visit Matsushima as a day trip from Sendai?
Yes. The JR Senseki Line takes about 40 minutes from Sendai to Matsushima-Kaigan, and the cruise, temples and Fukuurajima are all within walking distance of the station.
