The Japanese are very cautious of various rankings. The most beautiful sakura spots, the most beautiful maple momiji parks, the biggest festivals, etc. However one of the most famous rankings is the so-called ranking of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes. I have personally visited all three of these places and they are truly some of the most beautiful landscapes in Japan.
Rikuzen Matsushima
Matsushima has long been known as a place of romance and spirituality. Rikuzen Matsushima’s landscape consists of 260 small pine-covered islands rising from the pale blue sea. Even haiku master Matsuo Basho was speechless when he visited Matsushima. The landscape of Matsushima was considered a sacred place equal to the beauty of paradise. For centuries Matsushima’s beauty and spiritual power have attracted great monks, artists, and powerful rulers.
The best way to get to know Matsushima is by boat. As cruise passengers sail around Matsushima Bay they pass islands like Niojima and Kanejima that have been shaped by wind and water into delicate and intriguing shapes. From December to March the cruise line offers special oyster dinner cruises on weekends. In summer there are also special small boat tours between Matsushima and the dramatic white cliffs of Sagakei. From land Matsushima can be viewed from four panoramic observation decks that offer visitors very different views of the bay. They highlight the mystery, beauty and dynamism of the bay and its islands. Each direction offers a perfect balance of shapes and colors as small green islands of pine trees seem to float in the sea under the endless expanse of the sky.
On the outskirts of Matsushima Zuiganji Temple is worth a visit. Zuiganji Temple is one of the largest Zen Buddhist temples in northeastern Japan. The temple has been declared a national treasure. Is was founded by Jikaku Taishi (great monk) in 828. in 1609 the temple was renovated by Date Masamune the ruler of the Sendai region. As many as 130 skilled craftsmen worked on the construction of the temple at the same time and it took five years to complete the construction. Special wood from Mt. Kumano in remote Wakayama Prefecture was used for the temple. The main features of Zuiganji Temple are the cedar-clad approach and the mysterious caves where monks once lived and prayed. The main hall or hondo reopened in 2016. April. In it wonderful images of the natural world are painted on the sliding doors. The ornate peacock room is declared a national treasure.
Entsuin Temple is also worth visiting. Entsuin Temple which has the same peaceful atmosphere as a Zen temple is home to the Sankeiden Mausoleum (a National Important Cultural Property) decorated with gerberas and evening roses. It is because of this that the temple also boasts of a luxurious rose garden. This is the first temple in the Sanriku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. Entsuin Temple looks especially beautiful in autumn when it is lit up in the evening.
Several islands in the Matsushima region also deserve special mention. First of all we are talking about the island of Oshima and the caves in it. Oshima Island has long been known as a place of remembrance for the dead so many of the caves here are carved with images of pagans or jizo the bodhisattva of children, travelers and the underworld. Today 50 caves remain on Oshima Island although it is said that there were once 108.
Another special island is Fukuura-jima. It has an area of approximately 6 hectares. It is connected to the central part of mainland Japan by the red 252 m long Fukuura-bashi Bridge. Called the Botanical Treasure Island, the island is rich in various types of flowers, plants and trees.
Connected to the sky: Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is a long stretch of sand 3.6 km long and 20 to 170 m wide covered with more than 5,000 pine trees. The area has been compared to a divine bridge and has been a frequent poetic motif since ancient times. Stone slabs with haiku or tanka poems written by great poets and even the emperor are lined up in the sand strip so that visitors can hear the words of their ancestors.
Amanohashidate separates the Aso Sea from Miyazu Bay so the landscape is often said to look like a dragon rising into the sky. There are three observation decks around Miyazu Bay so that visitors can enjoy three different views of Amanohashidate.
An observation deck on Mt. Monju from where you can see Amanohashidate from the south. This image is called Hiryukan which means “flying dragon image”. The observation wheel and bicycles at the top of the mountain are especially popular with young children and the elderly.
Kasamatsu Park has an observation deck from which you can view Amanohashidate from the north. This image is called Shoryukan, which means “rising dragon image”, and is famous for the fact that the word “Matanozoki”, meaning “looking through the legs” was born here. It is like a method of seeing the earth and the sky upside down. Kasamatsu Park is also famous for its park of 100 cherry blossoms near the cable car trail.
Amanohashidate can be seen from the east side from six observation decks. This image is called Seshhukan because it is similar to the national value – Sesshu’s (1420-1506) painting “Amanohashidate-zu”. The site is especially beautiful when the sun sets behind the mountains.
Tourists are very fond of the revolving bridge when visiting this area. Part of the bridge turns 90 degrees to allow ships to pass and connects Amanohashidate with land near Monjudo. The bridge was built in 1923. At first it could be turned manually. In the 1960s, as the traffic of ships increased it became electrically powered. It now rotates up to 50 times a day and is the best photo and video spot for visitors.
Chion-ji Temple. This is the old Monju temple 500 years ago depicted in the painting “Amanohasidate-zu”. Monju is well known as a symbol of wisdom. It is said that the combined thinking of the three people corresponds to the wisdom of Monju. Many visitors gather here today hoping for success in school work and other tasks.
Another temple worth special attention is Nariai-ji. The temple is located on a hill a little further from Kasamatsu Park. It is the 28th of the 33 Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage temples. It is said to have been founded in 704. The main image of the temple is the beautiful goddess Kannon there is also a “Silent” bell a dragon facing forward a five-story pagoda and beautiful rhododendron flowers adorn the temple.
When visiting this region it is also worth visiting the former residence of the Mikami family. It is a very large merchant house from the Edo period which is included in the list of cultural assets of national importance. The Mikami family’s businesses included brewing, shipping, and wholesale yarn, but they were also involved in the finances of the Miyazu domain. The beautiful white color of the main buildings comes from plaster that protects against fires.
The Tango Regional Museum exhibits historical, folkloric and archeological expositions as well as arts and crafts of the Tango region. Exhibitions are seasonal with special exhibitions held in the fall. Outside the museum is another viewpoint, Amanohashidate, which also houses the site of the Kokubunji and the former residence of the Nagashima family the chief administrators of the region during the late Edo period.
Finally it is worth visiting the Miyazu Catholic Church. This Catholic church was built in 1896 and is said to be the second oldest in Japan. Its stained-glass windows and tatami floors have a unique style that combines the aesthetics of the Romanesque and Japanese styles. This church was founded by Father Relave (J. Louis, 1857-1941) from France and mass is held every Sunday.
Miyajima Island
Miyajima has been revered as a sacred place since ancient times. It is simply an epic place in Japan that is especially loved by both local and foreign tourists. I have described Miyajima and Itsukushima in more detail in the article on Hiroshima.
Itsukushima Temple built in the sea worships the guardian deity of the sea. The temple is famous for its unique construction, which reveals the artistic beauty of the Shinden architectural style. The temple was first built in 593, and in 1168. Taira-no-Kiyomori remodeled it into its present form. The Itsukushima Temple complex consists of the main temple and several other surrounding temples, a Noh drama stage and music halls. All these structures are connected by approximately 300 meter long corridors. in 1996 In December, Itsukushima Temple was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The seat of the Omura branch of the Shingon Buddhist sect Daishioin Temple is Miyajima’s most prominent temple. Until the Meiji Restoration in 1868 this temple was responsible for all the rituals of Itsukushima Temple. Fodo-Myo-Oh, or the Immovable King, is believed to be an incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, or the Cosmic Buddha. His image is characterized by a fierce face that shows his determination to destroy evil. One of the three great 16th century Japanese unifier Hideyoshi Toyotomi prayed to this image for safe seas and victories in battles.
Daiganji Temple is located near the exit from Itsukushima. Daiganji Temple is known as one of the three most famous Benzaiten temples, dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of eloquence, music, wisdom and wealth. Benzaiten’s image can be viewed by the public only once a year on June 17. Also, the statue of Yakushi Nyorai Buddha in this temple is said to have been created by Kobo Daishi, who is the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
While in Miyajima be sure to make time to take the cable cars up Mount Misen. Passengers can enjoy stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea and on a clear day the distant Shikoku mountain ranges on a gondola ride above the primeval forest. Personally the view of the bay of the Seto Sea from Mount Misen is one of the most beautiful natural views seen in Japan.
The highest mountain of Miyajima, Mount Misen, covered with pristine primeval forests, rises 535 m above sea level. A wonderful panoramic view opens from the top of the mountain. Mount Misen has long been considered sacred and contains various spiritual sites associated with Kobo Daishi the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The eternal fire in Reikado Hall lit by Kobo Daishi is said to have been burning for over 1,200 years.
If you visit the island in autumn you should pay attention to Momijidani Park. The park stretches along the calm flowing Momijidani River which is refreshing on hot summer days, and is painted with bright green in the spring. In summer, there is a constant cool breeze. In autumn when the maple leaves turn red the whole mountain seems to be on fire.
If you want to buy a souvenir the best place will be Omotesando shopping street. It has many restaurants souvenir shops and various workshops. Omotesando, meaning ‘main road leading to the temple’, is the best shopping street in Miyajima.
