Zuiganji Temple
#LANDSCAPE #MATSUSHIMA
Head down a quiet back street, far from the bustle of the town, and you will be greeted with the majestic sight of this temple and its imposing, black-tiled roof.
Date’s Temple
OVERVIEW
Head down a quiet back street, far from the bustle of the town, and you will be greeted with the majestic sight of this temple and its imposing, black-tiled roof. Zuiganji Temple is a Zen temple that Date Masamune built over five years and completed in 1609. It remains the Date family temple, and in the treasure hall, you can see all kinds of items with a connection to the Date clan.
One highlight is the screen-door painting in the main hall, which has just undergone a major renovation. You can see the gorgeous Japanese paintings that Date Masamune had painted for him by artists summoned from Kyoto. The beauty of the temple’s buildings, such as the priests’ quarters and gates, also stands out.
TIPS
On some days, workshops are held where you can experience copying sutras with a brush or try Zen by meditating in silence.
DETAIL
ADDRESS Chonai 91, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi
OPEN Please check the website.
CLOSE None
PHONE 022-354-2023
PARKING Please use the paid parking lots nearby.
PERIOD Year-round
Reccommend
Local Tours
Using local guides, we provide many tours that let you discover and experience
the wonders of Japan lying hidden in the “everyday” of the nearby area.
TOUR.01
Oyster Paradise Matsushima｜Immerse yourself in the culture and flavours of Japan's most scenic bay!
TOUR.02
Kimono Walking Tour of Matsushima｜Become part of the scenic beauty at one of Japan's top views!
TOUR.03
‘Sea & Sakura’ Hike in Matsushima｜Soak up the sun, sea and sakura with hidden views of Matsushima Bay.
MATSUSHIMA town
Together with Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Miyajima in Hiroshima, Matsushima is one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots. With many cultural heritage sites such as Zuiganji Temple and Godaido Temple, Matsushima was once visited as a sacred ground, and, since the Edo period, it has enchanted its visitors with its picturesque scenery: the more than 260 islands, large and small, that float in Matsushima Bay and the changing nature of the four seasons. The area is also blessed with plentiful seafood, and it has been well known since long ago for its prosperous oyster cultivation.
Key Person
A new generation starts to take part in the town’s tourism!
Asano Shoten／Shingo Asano
Matsushima is known for being one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots. You can enjoy the Matsushima Island Cruises—which take 50 minutes to tour the 260 islands, large and small, that make up the famous Matsushima Bay—and a pilgrimage around famous temples with a connection to the Date clan—such as Godaido, Zuiganji, and Entsuin. Every year, during the autumn, Entsuin holds viewings of the autumn leaves that are illuminated by lights and sake-tasting events, such as the Horoyoi Shinshu Matsuri (Tipsy New Sake Festival). Since the disaster in 2011, many people in their 30s and 40s, who trained in urban areas such as Tokyo, have returned to the town, and they are now making waves in many types of businesses—including restaurants, souvenir shops, and accommodation facilities. Enjoy a walk around the town with one of the sticky rice balls that my store, Asano Shoten, sells during the weekends.
Specialty Products
Matsushima Oysters
Matsushima Naohide Kokeshi Dolls
Matsushima Koren
Tomato
（Matsushima tomato）
Conger Eel
（anago）
In terms of specialty products, Matsushima oysters are first and foremost. You can of course eat the fine-grained and firm flesh of Matsushima oysters raw, but you can enjoy them in many other ways, such as in oyster hotpot or as steamed oysters. Additionally, Miyagi prefecture has so many wooden kokeshi dolls that it is known as the kokeshi kingdom, and Matsushima even has Matsushima Naohide Kokeshi dolls. You can have fun trying to paint your own.
Natural Environment
Matsushima-Bay
Oshima Island
Resting dragon plum (garyubai)
Pine
The beautiful scene of the many islands that float in Matsushima Bay has been worshipped since ancient times as Amitabha’s pure land and Oshima Island have woven the bay’s history as a sacred place. It is said that oyster cultivation began in Matsushima Bay 300 years ago, and the region has blessed its inhabitants with abundance. The nature of Matsushima is intertwined with the history and culture of the town and the lives of its people.
Historical Person
Basho Matsuo
1644 - 1694
Matsuo Basho was a master of haikai poetry. He established his own form of haiku poems with tones of wabi-sabi, and he left travel writings such as Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North) in addition to many verses.
Nagayoshi Aoki
1879 - 1935
Aoki Nagayoshi was a lyricist. He held positions as a professor at the Tokyo Academy of Music and an editor in chief for the Ministry of Education’s book publications. He wrote the lyrics to the Ministry of Education song “Donguri korokoro” (“Rolling Acorns”), which is widely known in Japan.
Area Access
From Sendai Station
40min
【TRAIN】 From Sendai Station approx. 40 minutes to Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line
From Sendai Airport
60min
【BUS】 From Sendai Airport approx. 60 minutes to Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the Iwate Prefecture North Bus
