Oshima Island at Matsushima

Matsushima's biggest secret

Justin Velgus Jun 16, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Great views and Buddhist history are not in short supply at Oshima Island</p>

<p>Oshima Island offers great views of the bay with some of the pine covered islands which Matsushima is famous for</p>

<p>Searching for the bridge to the island is an adventure in itself. Continue through this carved out gorge to find your destination</p>

<p>Crossing the vermilion bridge. The 2011 tsunami washed the previous one away, but this replacement was made</p>

<p>A stone tori gate along the path immediately after crossing the footbridge</p>

<p>The beach directly across the island can be used to swim or as a place to relax and enjoy the scenery </p>

<p>The many dug out caves house relics or were once occupied by priests during meditation</p>

<p>One of the shrines on the island. Judging by the fox figurines inside, it must be an Inari shrine</p>

<p>Boats use the island as part of a natural harbor</p>

<p>The Monument of Paiken is a stone monument inside this wooden structure. It is dedicated to a Buddhist priest that meditated 22 years on the island</p>

<p>Roots growing on the cave exterior</p>

<p>A close up of some caves. Priests' names are etched into the walls and artifacts</p>

<p>More caves. There are about 50 caves packed on the small island these days, but it is said there used to be 108</p>

Matsushima is known as one of the three most scenic places of Japan. Take a ferry ride, check out the museums, or dine on fresh seafood. However, an often overlooked but easily accessible attraction is Oshima Island. The admission free island is a ten minute walk from Matsushimakaigan Station behind the former and now demolished Marinepia Aquarium.

The island is known for its Buddhist history and great views of the bay. Similar to the the caves found in front of Matsushima's Zuigan-ji Temple, hand-dug nooks and crannies decorate the cliffs and rocks here. Inside these caves Buddhist priests meditated and performed various religious practices. You'll also see Buddhist artifacts and statuary, some shrines with religious decorations scattered about, and a unique perspective of the bay.

If you are thinking about heading to Matsushima, do check out its biggest secret: Oshima Island.

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...