Four Great Views (Matsushima Shidaikan)

About

Panoramic view of Matsushima Bay showing the pine-covered islands that make this one of Japan's Three Scenic Views. Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Four Great Views of Matsushima (Matsushima Shidaikan) represent a centuries-old tradition of designated scenic viewpoints overlooking one of Japan's most celebrated landscapes. Named by Funayama Mannen, a Confucian scholar of the Sendai domain in the late Edo period, each viewpoint was selected and named according to its particular landscape characteristics. 🔗

The four viewpoints—Otakamori (Magnificent), Tomiyama (Beautiful), Tamonzan (Grand), and Ogidani (Enchanting)—offer distinct perspectives of Matsushima Bay's approximately 260 pine-covered islands. 🔗 Matsushima holds special significance as one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Views (Nihon Sankei), a designation dating to the early Edo period. 🔗

The famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho visited Matsushima in 1689 during his journey recorded in "Narrow Road to the Deep North," finding himself at a loss for words when confronted with the bay's extraordinary beauty. 🔗

Cultural & Historical Significance

Edo Period Scholarly Tradition

The Four Great Views tradition embodies the Japanese practice of identifying and naming scenic viewpoints according to their aesthetic qualities, a practice rooted in Confucian scholarly traditions of the Edo period (1603-1868). Funayama Mannen's selection and naming of these four viewpoints reflects the sophisticated aesthetic sensibility of Confucian scholars who served the Sendai domain. 🔗

Aesthetic Designations

The descriptive names—Sokan (Magnificent View), Reikan (Beautiful/Elegant View), Ikan (Grand/Dynamic View), and Yukan (Enchanting/Spiritual View)—demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how landscape perspectives evoke different emotional and aesthetic responses. 🔗 This naming tradition connects to broader Japanese cultural practices of landscape appreciation found in poetry, painting, and garden design.

Three Scenic Views (Nihon Sankei) Tradition

The viewpoints provide perspectives on Matsushima's designation as one of Japan's Three Views (Nihon Sankei), formally established in 1643 by Confucian scholar Hayashi Gaho. This canonical classification identified Matsushima alongside Amanohashidate (Kyoto Prefecture) and Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture) as Japan's supreme examples of scenic beauty based on aesthetic ideals rooted in Confucian philosophy. 🔗 🔗

The pine-covered islands visible from these viewpoints carry profound cultural symbolism. Pine trees (matsu) represent longevity, endurance, and eternity in Japanese tradition, and according to Shinto belief, pine branches are used by kami (gods and goddesses) to descend from heaven. 🔗 🔗 The word "matsu" means "waiting for the soul of a god to descend from Heaven," imbuing Matsushima's pine-clad islands with spiritual significance beyond mere aesthetic beauty. 🔗

When Matsuo Basho visited in 1689 during his famous "Narrow Road to the Deep North" pilgrimage, he was left speechless by the bay's beauty. Rather than writing a haiku, Basho composed prose: "What painter or writer could ever capture fully the wonder of the masterpiece of nature?" 🔗 This moment of poetic silence became legendary, suggesting the scenic beauty transcended even the master haiku poet's ability to capture it in verse. His journey was clearly a literary pilgrimage, motivated by a desire to see places old poets wrote about to "renew his own art." 🔗

These Four Great Views provide the optimal perspectives for experiencing what moved both Confucian scholars and literary masters across centuries, making them essential for understanding Matsushima's enduring cultural significance. 🔗

The Four Viewpoints

Otakamori - Sokan (Magnificent View)

Overview: Located at the 105.8-meter summit of Mount Otakamori on Miyato Island in Oku-Matsushima, this viewpoint offers what many visitors consider the best view of the bay. 🔗 The panorama from this height makes the pine-clad bay look like a miniature garden, offering a 360-degree view that includes Matsushima Bay, the Zao mountain range, the Oshika Peninsula, and on clear days as far as Soma in Fukushima Prefecture. 🔗

Features: Conveniently placed benches invite visitors to sit and contemplate the view at leisure. 🔗 The Oku-Matsushima Olle trail, a scenic 10-kilometer loop hike, includes this summit as one of its highlights. 🔗

Access: About 15 minutes by car from JR Nobiru Station, or a 10-minute taxi ride (approximately ¥2,000 one way) to Aomini Visitor Centre, followed by the trail. The summit can be reached via a 700-meter road that takes about 20 minutes to climb. 🔗

Cost: Free

Tomiyama - Reikan (Beautiful/Elegant View)

Overview: At 116.8 meters above sea level, Tomiyama is the highest viewpoint of the Shidaikan. 🔗 Visitors can enjoy a graceful view of Matsushima Bay from the peaceful garden of Daigyoji Temple, which enshrines Tomiyama Kannon, one of the three famous Kannon statues of Oshu. 🔗

Features: The temple grounds feature a dry landscape garden with Matsushima Bay as borrowed scenery and a thatched-roof main hall called Shiunkan. 🔗 Cryptomeria, pine, fir, and other trees tower over a roofed observation deck, and the quiet temple grounds transport visitors to another world. 🔗 From this peak, the pine-covered islets form neat lines in the distance. 🔗

Access: A 45-minute walk from JR Rikuzen-Tomiyama Station, following a narrow forest path up Tomiyama to its peak. 🔗 Parking is available for about 5 cars, from which nearly 300 steps lead to the observation deck and temple buildings (approximately 16 minutes climbing time). 🔗 The access road is narrow and cannot accommodate large buses. 🔗

Cost: ¥100 🔗

Tamonzan - Ikan (Grand/Dynamic View)

Overview: At a height of 55.6 meters, Tamonzan offers a dynamic view where visitors can take in Matsushima's scenery together with ships and boats weaving their way through the islets. 🔗 Located in Shichigahama Town near the Tohoku Electric Company's Sendai Thermal Power Plant, the viewing spot is accessed by making your way down the slope from the parking lot to a small Bishamon-do pavilion. 🔗

Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Tagajo Station, followed by a 10-minute walk to the summit. 🔗 Alternatively, 20 minutes by car from Tagajo Station. 🔗 Public transport option: JR Senseki Line to Honshiogama (19 min), then local bus to Gankyo Bashi (30 min), then walk north (5 min). 🔗 Parking and restroom facilities are available. 🔗

Contact: 022-357-7443 (Shichigahama Tourist Association) 🔗

Cost: Free

Ogidani - Yukan (Enchanting/Spiritual View)

Overview: At 55.8 meters above sea level, Ogidani provides a panoramic view of Matsushima Bay and a beautiful fan-shaped inlet spanning to the bay. 🔗 The name "Ogidani" means "folding fan valley," a fitting description as the vantage point offers a view of Matsushima spreading out before you like a folding fan. 🔗

Features: This viewpoint is best known for its breathtaking sunrises, and is also known for its stunning display of autumn leaves. 🔗 In autumn, the bright red of the turning leaves accentuates the red rays of the rising sun extending over the bay, and the maple trees all turn a deep crimson red. 🔗 The view of the lustrous autumn leaves and the islands floating in Matsushima Bay is like a painting. 🔗

Access: 5 minutes by car from JR Matsushimakaigan Station, followed by a 3-minute walk up steps to the summit. 🔗 The site is located in a quiet mountainous area about 15 minutes by car from Tomiyama on a narrow road off National Route 45. 🔗

Cost: Free

Visiting Information

General Access to Matsushima Area

From Tokyo, take a 90-minute bullet train ride to Sendai on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen, then approximately 40 minutes on the Senseki Line to Matsushima. 🔗 Get off at Matsushimakaigan Station (served by the Senseki Line), not Matsushima Station (served by the Tohoku Main Line), since the latter is far from the tourist attractions. 🔗

Time Requirements and Difficulty Levels

• Otakamori: 20-minute climb (700 meters), relatively easy trail, part of 10km Oku-Matsushima Olle trail 🔗
• Tomiyama: 45-minute walk from station or 16-minute stair climb from parking (approximately 300 steps), easy to moderate difficulty 🔗
• Tamonzan: 10-minute walk from parking, easy access 🔗
• Ogidani: 3-minute walk up steps from parking, easiest access 🔗

Optimal Visiting Order

Traveling by car to make the rounds of all four viewpoints is the standard sightseeing course. 🔗 For day-trippers from Tokyo/Sendai, consider prioritizing by accessibility and uniqueness:

1. Ogidani (easiest access from Matsushimakaigan Station, excellent for autumn foliage in November)
2. Tamonzan (moderate access, unique perspective with ships)
3. Tomiyama (highest viewpoint, temple setting)
4. Otakamori (requires most travel time but considered best view)

The Viewing Experience

What to Expect

The Four Great Views offer distinct perspectives that collectively showcase why Matsushima ranks among Japan's Three Scenic Views. Otakamori's 360-degree panorama makes the bay appear as a miniature garden, with conveniently placed benches for contemplative viewing. 🔗

Tomiyama combines spiritual atmosphere with scenic beauty, as the temple setting enhances the viewing experience with its dry landscape garden and thatched-roof structures. 🔗

Tamonzan adds dynamic movement to the landscape with ships and boats navigating among the islands. 🔗

Ogidani offers the most dramatic sunrise views and the fan-shaped perspective that gives the location its name. 🔗

Visitor reviews confirm that while these four views may take some time to reach (by car with some climbing required), they certainly live up to their reputations. 🔗 Many consider Otakamori to offer the best view of the bay. 🔗

Photography Opportunities and Timing

Each viewpoint offers unique photography opportunities:

• Otakamori: Best for comprehensive panoramic shots, excellent for sunrise and sunset 🔗
• Tomiyama: Combines temple architecture with landscape photography, particularly beautiful with the dry landscape garden 🔗
• Tamonzan: Captures dynamic maritime activity with ships weaving through islands 🔗
• Ogidani: Famous for breathtaking sunrise photography, exceptional autumn foliage views 🔗

November-Specific Visibility and Foliage

November is an excellent time to visit Matsushima for both visibility and autumn foliage. The fall foliage season in Tohoku typically runs from mid-October to late November, with sites like Entsuin Temple in Matsushima peaking from late October through late November. 🔗

Ogidani is particularly notable for November visits: In autumn, the bright red of the turning leaves accentuates the red rays of the rising sun extending over the bay, and the maple trees all turn a deep crimson red. 🔗 The view of the lustrous autumn leaves and the islands floating in Matsushima Bay is like a painting. 🔗

For nighttime photography enthusiasts, Entsuin Temple's autumn illuminations run from October 25, 2025 through November 24, 2025, with light-up from 17:30-21:00. 🔗

Practical Visiting Tips

Strategy for Visiting Multiple Viewpoints

Traveling by car is the most practical way to visit all four viewpoints, as this has become the standard sightseeing course. 🔗 Day-trippers from Sendai or Tokyo should consider their time constraints and prioritize accordingly. The scenery of Matsushima Bay is magnificent and worth the 30-minute day trip from Sendai. 🔗

For visitors without cars, focus on the more accessible viewpoints (Ogidani and Tamonzan) and consider whether the time investment for Otakamori's remote location is worthwhile, though it is considered by many to offer the best view. 🔗

Best Single Viewpoint Recommendation for Limited Time

For day-trippers with limited time: Ogidani

Reasons:

• Easiest access (5 minutes by car from Matsushimakaigan Station, only 3-minute walk from parking) 🔗
• Exceptional autumn foliage in November 🔗
• Famous for sunrise views if visiting early morning 🔗
• Close to other Matsushima attractions for efficient itinerary planning
• Free admission

Alternative recommendation: Saigyō Modoshi-no-matsu Park

While not one of the traditional Four Great Views, visitor reviews suggest this is "the best place to see Matsushima Bay." 🔗 It can be reached in a 15-20 minute walk uphill from Matsushimakaigan station, or by car or taxi in 5 minutes. 🔗 Early risers will be treated to one of Japan's best sunrises here. 🔗

Physical Preparation and Accessibility Notes

• Otakamori: Moderate fitness required for 20-minute climb on 700-meter trail 🔗
• Tomiyama: Moderate fitness required for approximately 300 steps (16-minute climb from parking) 🔗; narrow access road unsuitable for large buses 🔗
• Tamonzan: Easy, 10-minute walk from parking 🔗
• Ogidani: Very easy, 3-minute walk up steps from parking 🔗

General note: While these four views may take some time to reach, they certainly live up to their reputations. 🔗

Weather Considerations

November weather in Matsushima ranges from 7-15°C, with good probability of clear weather for photography. Autumn foliage peaks during this period, making it an ideal time for visiting. 🔗 On clear November days, visibility from Otakamori can extend to the Zao mountain range, Oshika Peninsula, and even Soma in Fukushima. 🔗

For sunrise photography at Ogidani, check local sunrise times (typically around 6:00-6:30 AM in November) and arrive early to set up. 🔗

Day Trip Feasibility

For Tokyo Day-Trippers:

• Early morning departure from Tokyo (7:00 AM)
• Arrive Matsushima area by 9:30-10:00 AM
• Visit 1-2 accessible viewpoints (Ogidani and/or Tamonzan)
• Explore other Matsushima attractions (temples, bay cruise)
• Return to Tokyo by early evening

For Sendai Day-Trippers:

• More flexible timing with only 30-minute journey to Matsushima
• Can visit 2-3 viewpoints plus other attractions
• Ideal for half-day or full-day excursion

Location References

Otakamori (Magnificent View):

• Location: Miyato Island, Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture
• View on Google Maps

Tomiyama (Beautiful View):

• Location: Matsushima Town, Miyagi Prefecture
• View on Google Maps

Tamonzan (Grand View):

• Location: Hachigamori, Yogasakihama, Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture
• View on Google Maps

Ogidani (Enchanting View):

• Location: Matsushima Town, Miyagi Prefecture
• View on Google Maps

Source: attractions/matsushima/four-great-views.md