The Sendai Matsushima coast has been a favourite among Japanese travellers for centuries, but it still remains off the radar for many foreign guests. Long heralded as one of the top three most beautiful views in the nation, the pinetree islands of Matsushima Bay are a must-see sight in northern Japan. This 3 days tour dives into the food, culture, and scenery of the area, with a local guide who can introduce guests to this lesser-visited but uniquely immersive destination.

Itinerary

πŸ“ Time: Start (guided tour): 17:50 Duration: 3hDistance and journey time (approximation): Tokyo Station to Sendai Station: 1.5h

Depart from Tokyo Station on the short 90 minutes bullet train and arrive at Sendai. Upon arrival at Sendai Station, check-in into the Hotel. 

This evening's tour will begin at 17:50. Meet up with the food loving guide for a night of eating and drinking like a Sendai local.
 
Undiscovered by most visitors to the city, weave through the back-alleys of Bunka-yokocho and Iroha-yokocho and get lost in the Showa Era Japan atmosphere. For this tour, three different Japanese inns (Izakaya) and bars will be visited, with opportunities to pair local delicacies with delicious drinks at each venue.

Some local dishes that may be on the menu are favorites like fried aburage tofu, grilled kamaboko fish cakes, and sashimi fresh from the nearby coast.

Most traditional izakaya only sit around 8-10 customers at a time, and this intimate atmosphere often intimidates foreign travelers. But with the company of a local guide, it's easy and fun to get an insider look at the local Sendai nightlife!

Part ways with the guide and head back to the hotel or continue exploring the city's nightlife independently.

Overnight in Sendai
 

Inclusions:

πŸ— Dinner

πŸ“ Time: Start (guided tour): 07:40 Duration: 8.5 h *including pick-up/drop-off and transit timesDistance and journey time (approximation): Sendai Station to Higashi Shiogama Station: 30 min Shiogama to Matsushima: 50 min (boat) Matsushima Kaigan Station to Sendai Station: 30 min

Meet the guide in the hotel at 7:40 today for a full day tour of Shiogama & Matsushima. 

Begin the day with a deep dive into the food lover's paradise of Shiogama City, where seafood tasting at Shiogama's wholesale fish market awaits. This is the perfect tour for seafood lovers, as the area is known for the most sushi restaurants in Japan per capita. After visiting the fish market, head back into the town to continue the food adventure. Savour delicious sweets like plump dorayaki pancakes and seasalt cookies, and finish with a casual sake tasting before moving onward.

After visiting a small local Shinto Shrine, travel to nearby Matsushima on a sightseeing cruise. The ship passes through clear, shallow waters and winds through the pine tree covered islands of the Matsushima Bay, said to be one of the three most scenic views in Japan. 

Disembark the ship and enjoy a seafood bowl for lunch before visiting several location landmarks. Zuiganji Temple, known for a picturesque approach lined by cedar trees, is sure to impress with its calm Zen atmosphere. Godaido is a lovely cliffside hall decorated with elaborate wooden carvings, luckily having escaped damage during the 2011 tsunami thanks to its elevated location. At Entusin Temple, see the 17th century mausoleum of a local samurai lord and see how his interest in western culture was cleverly reflected in the decorations on his tomb.

Finish with a visit to a historic seaside teahouse, where a warm bowl of matcha tea can be enjoyed while looking at the scenery. 

Reach Matsushima Kaigan Station and return to Sendai by local train where the tour will end
 

Inclusions:

β˜• Breakfast, πŸ₯˜ Lunch, πŸ— Dinner

The rest of the day is free at leisure until the scheduled departure from Sendai.

Inclusions:

β˜• Breakfast

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