Matsushima 松島
One of the Nihon Sankei, ‘Three Great Sights’
Matsushima Bay has long been popular with Japanese domestic tourists, famous for its pine-clad islets, and is ranked one of Japan's Nihon Sankei (three most scenic views).
There are over 200 small islands covered by pine trees in the bay, and the popular thing to do is to get out and see them on a sightseeing cruise.
Hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Matsushima escaped major damage due to its location inside the protected, island-dotted bay.
Many visit on a day trip from nearby Sendai - a popular loop route is to take the JR Senseki Line to Hon-Shiogama Station (20-30 minutes), hop on a boat across Matsushima Bay to Matsushima, check out Matsushima, then return to Sendai by the Senseki Line.