Matsushima Bay and Shiogama

Another day out in which we intended to go to Sendai and instead got detained by the many delights of Matsushima Bay, thanks to @abroadinjapan's extensive recommendations and the fact that it is apparently one of the three most scenic places in Japan (?)

We took a boat trip out into the bay, and then greatly enjoyed Zuiganji temple, former home of samurai ruler Date Masamune before realising we hadn't even intended to go there, and so also went to the Entsuin Gardens next door - which were also very delightful and extremely zen.

Given it was already 4pm by this point we opted for an early dinner and had a sushi dinner in Shiogama, where the fish from the market is so fresh it doesn't even need to be frozen. It was pleasantly normal and unpretentious, featured a slightly terrifying crab soup, and where we all got over our fear of sea urchins.Read more