SENDAI AND MATSUSHIMA 3

13/AUG/2003

Day Four: Matsushima, Sendai

[Seagull 2]

Came down to Matsushima (one of the three most beautiful sceneries in Japan) and took a ferry ride. So many people, and they are all feeding seagulls with chips.

The name of the particular chips people were feeding the seagulls with was Kappa Ebisen, if you happen to know. I was surprised to know Kappa Ebisen was sold here as `food for seagulls'. Kappa Ebisen is consumed by seagulls in Matsushima -- and by people in the rest of Japan...

[Matsushima 1]

Not so beautiful owing to the weather.

[Matsushima 2]

[Wanko 6]

You have to pay to cross this bridge, but it's worth visiting the island (Fukuura Island) because it's very beautiful there and it's much less crowded.

[Wanko 7]

The weather was not good, but Wanko was as jovial as ever.

[Wanko 8]

[Wanko 9]

[Dharma]

[Wanko 10]

[Wanko 11]

Taking a rest.

[Basho Matsuo]

Also taking a rest is Matsuo Basho, a famous minstrel (1644-94).

[Zuiganji Temple 1]

Has very nice stone cave temples.

[Zuiganji Temple 2]

[Togetsu Bridge]

Takes you to Ojima Island.

Incidentally, there is a bridge with the same name in Arashiyama, Kyoto. `Togetsu' means `moon crossing'.

[Wanko 12]

With a stone Buddhist statue.

[Deaibashi]

Fukuura Bridge, or Deaibashi (Encounter Bridge). A view from Ojima Island.

[Taxis]

Back to Sendai.

Not a motor race for taxis, but just waiting for passengers at Sendai Station. Very orderly.

[Wanko 13]

Waiting for the Shinkansen bullet train...

[Wanko 14]

And ready to go back home...

EXIT