Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Tourism Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
The Tohoku region of Japan may not be as familiar to many netizens as Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, but it left a deep impression on people’s minds during the Great East Japan Earthquake three years ago. Today, as the third anniversary of the disaster approaches, the affected areas have largely recovered well. Whether......it's Sendai City, the largest city in Tohoku, Matsushima—one of Japan’s Three Great Views, or Naruko Onsen, which has been open for over a thousand years,...they are all excellent spots worth visiting to experience the charm of Tohoku. And for food lovers, don’t miss Sendai’s famous gyutan (beef tongue) cuisine and the unforgettable taste of pure rice daiginjo sake. If you plan to visit Sendai in the summer, you can also join......the “Sendai Tanabata Festival,” one of the most beautiful festivals in Tohoku,...and personally experience the vibrancy of Japanese summer festivals.
The streets of Sendai City show the vitality of Tohoku’s largest city with their bustling crowds. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Tourism Life Network, Chen Guanxin)
First Stop of Historical Traces – Sendai Airport
Sendai Airport in Miyagi Prefecture was severely damaged by the tsunami, but after six months of emergency repairs, it fully resumed operations on September 25, 2011.Currently, a corner of the airport terminal displays photos taken after the tsunami.Compared to the chaos shown in those images, today’s Sendai Airport shows no trace of having been hit by a tsunami. As for downtown Sendai, it presents the bustle and vibrancy of Tohoku’s largest city, with its crowds of people.
Sendai Airport, once struck by the tsunami, not only marks the height of the water on its pillars but also dedicates parts of the area to displaying photos of the disaster and reconstruction. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Tourism Life Network, Chen Guanxin)
A Must-See Among Japan’s Three Great Views – Matsushima
Located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Matsushima is ranked alongside Amanohashidate in Kyotango and Itsukushima in Aki as one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views. For centuries, it has been celebrated by Japan’s literati and poets. The famed poet Matsuo Bashō, known as the “Saint of Haiku,” also praised Matsushima in his travel diary “The Narrow Road to the Deep North,” calling it the most beautiful scenery in Japan, comparable to Dongting Lake and West Lake.To enjoy the scenery of Matsushima, there’s no need for a long journey—just take a train from Sendai Station to Matsushima Kaigan. In about 30 minutes, you can see the serene beauty that has captivated scholars and poets.。
The sightseeing cruises in Matsushima Bay are divided into three routes, each offering unique views of different islands. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Tourism Life Network, Chen Guanxin)
Alternatively, you can choose to take a sightseeing cruise around Matsushima and enjoy the beautiful scenery of various islands along different routes. But simply admiring the view from the boat isn’t enough for some. Another fun activity on the cruise is feeding seagulls with shrimp crackers. Whether you board from Shiogama Port or Matsushima Port, you can buy shrimp crackers from the onboard staff after departure and enjoy close encounters with the seagulls.
A unique experience on the Matsushima cruise is feeding seagulls with “shrimp crackers.” (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Tourism Life Network, Chen Guanxin)
If you miss your aim, though, your fingers might pay the price. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Tourism Life Network, Chen Guanxin)