Maple Viewing Season at Tenrinin Temple in Miyagi Prefecture – Step into a Mysterious and Solemn Temple as if Entering a Fairyland

Photos & Text by45-degree angle from the upper right

One of Japan’s Three Great Views: Matsushima. Due to our packed itinerary and the fact that some friends had already visited, we didn’t plan a daytime trip here. Instead, we chose to come for the night maple viewing. There are several temples in Matsushima where you can enjoy the night foliage, but only Tenrinin charges an admission fee—so it must be the most beautiful.

As soon as we arrived at Matsushima Kaigan Train Station platform, we were welcomed by a sign for the Maple Leaf Festival, greeting visitors from afar.

Compared to other stations, Matsushima Kaigan Station has quite a simple design, featuring only a wooden sign with the station name that has a touch of design flair.

The view in front of the station. To be honest, it’s pretty ordinary and a bit desolate... But I imagine that during the day, given Matsushima’s fame, it must be bustling with people.

We followed the signs ahead. This is the convenience of Japan, especially during flower-viewing seasons—slightly famous spots all have directional signs, and that night, we relied on these signs to reach our destination without any detours.

The eldest daughter of Date Masamune, Lady Gohime, was politically married to Matsudaira Tadateru, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, after Tokugawa Ieyasu launched the Siege of Osaka Summer Campaign to eliminate Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s heirs ([Osaka] Cherry Blossom Stroll (1) Osaka Castle Park http://serene1102.pixnet.net/blog/post/29455329), Date Masamune recalled his daughter and had her divorce Matsudaira Tadateru. Upon returning to Sendai, Lady Gohime entered Buddhism, and this Tenrinin Temple was built in her memory, enshrining her hair. It is located near and connected with the nearby Yang_ (text cut off)...

The photos taken at night aren’t very bright, so they’re a bit blurry, but this is the entrance to Tenrinin Temple. Normally, visitors can enter for free, but the special nighttime maple viewing requires a 500-yen admission fee.

This is the nighttime admission ticket for the viewing season.

Upon entering, there’s a deeply Japanese-style scene on the left. The dry landscape garden, maple trees, and overall arrangement have no doubt captured countless photos.

The most famous and captivating sight is this lake view, especially when photographed at night—it’s hard to tell where reality ends and illusion begins.

The nighttime lighting is very bright, and the trees are extremely tall. Coming into this temple grove filled with mystery and solemnity gives you the feeling of having stumbled into a fairyland.

Another well-known spot is this beautiful stone path. The small lamps lining the path, together with the surrounding crimson leaves, make walking through it feel like a dream.

Walking along the stone path deeper in, you’ll find a bamboo grove illuminated in green light. Actually, I found this part a bit eerie...the green light is quite strange, and there was someone playing a xiao (Chinese flute) nearby. It would’ve been pretty spooky if there weren’t so many people around.

The beauty of the maple leaves isn’t very obvious in wide shots, but close-ups reveal the subtle color changes and aesthetic details of the leaves.

[Tenrinin Temple]
http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/miru/detail.php?id=145
Miyagi, Matsushima Town, Matsushima, Machiuchi 51
Phone: 022-354-3418
Visiting Hours: 8:00–17:00
Admission: Free, but nighttime maple viewing costs 500 yen Directions: Take the train to Matsushima Kaigan Station, then turn left onto the main road and walk straight.

Upper right 45-degree angle: A Japanese-style food travel diary by a woman
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