The Timeless Charm of Japan’s Three Great Views: Matsushima, Amanohashidate, and Miyajima

One of the Four Great Views is Otakamori, a mountain rising at the center of Miyato Island.
The panoramic view of Matsushima from its summit truly lives up to its nickname, “Sokan” (Magnificent View).
Otakamori is the only place where you can take in a 360-degree view of the islands floating in Matsushima Bay.

Tomiyama is located on the border between Matsushima Town and Higashimatsushima.
The view from the garden of Daigyoji Temple at the summit is counted as one of the Four Great Views and is named “Reikan” (Beautiful View).
The must-see highlight is the sweeping, nearly head-on view of Matsushima Bay from this quiet, atmospheric garden.

One of the Four Great Views is the cliff at Yogasaki, on the northern end of Tamonzan in Shichigahama Town.
At Tamonzan, you can see powerful scenery as waves rolling in from the Pacific crash and break against the islands of Matsushima Bay.
This dramatic view is also known as “Ikan” (Impressive View).

From Ogitani, a low mountain with an elevation of 55 meters, you can see a beautiful inlet shaped like a fan in Matsushima Bay.
That shape is also the origin of the name “Ogitani.”
It’s one of the Four Great Views, named “Yukan” (Mystical View) for its deep, tranquil scenery.

An old temple said to have been founded in the early 9th century as a Tendai Buddhist temple.
Its full official name, including its mountain name, is Matsushima Seiryuzan Zuigan Enpuku Zenji Temple, and today it is a Zen temple of the Rinzai school (Myoshin-ji branch).
The buildings that remain today were completed by Date Masamune, and because they are valuable structures that preserve Momoyama art to the present, the main hall and the kuri (temple kitchen/quarters) have been designated National Treasures.

Godaido Hall is the oldest surviving Momoyama-style building in the Tohoku region.
Around the eaves of the Godaido Hall, located outside Zuiganji Temple’s grounds, carvings of the 12 zodiac animals are arranged—walk around once to see them all.
It came to be called Godaido because when Jikaku Daishi Ennin founded Zuiganji in the fifth year of Tencho (828), he enshrined statues of the Five Great Wisdom Kings: the central Daishō Fudō Myōō, along with Hokuhō Kongō Yasha, Tōhō Gōzanze, Saihō Daiitoku, and Nampō Gundari.

Entsuin Temple was built in 1647 as the family temple of Date Mitsumune, a grandson of Date Masamune.
Entsuin is known as a top spot for fall foliage, with the best viewing season from late October to mid-November.
In particular, its garden—centered on the heart-shaped pond created around 350 years ago and Mount Fudaraku, believed to be the home of Kannon Bosatsu—is considered one of the most beautiful in Tohoku.

One of the Four Great Views is Amanohashidate View Land, located in Miyazu City.
Do “matanozoki” from the viewing platform at Amanohashidate View Land, and Amanohashidate looks like a dragon dancing up into the sky—hence the name “Hiryukan View.”
It’s also famous as the birthplace of “matanozoki.”

Kasamatsu Park, located halfway up Mount Nariai, is one of the Four Great Views known as Shoryukan View.
Do “matanozoki” from the viewing platform at Kasamatsu Park and Amanohashidate appears like a “dragon” powerfully climbing up into the sky at a rising angle, making it a popular lucky spot.

One of the Four Great Views, the Amanohashidate Sesshukan Observatory, lies beyond the stairs lined with torii gates at Shishizaki Inari Shrine.
It’s also called “Sesshukan View” because Amanohashidate can be seen in a composition similar to the National Treasure ink painting “Amanohashidate-zu” by the famous ink painter Sesshu.
When you visit Sesshukan View, try searching the National Treasure “Amanohashidate-zu” on your phone and compare it with the real scenery.

From Ichijikan Park, one of the Four Great Views, Amanohashidate looks like a single straight horizontal line—hence the name “Ichijikan View.”
The illuminated cityscape of Miyazu and Amanohashidate is also breathtaking, so it’s recommended to come for the night view as well.

Long ago, it was called Yosano-miya, and it is said to have enshrined Toyouke Omikami long before Ise Grand Shrine was established. In the era of Emperor Sujin, Amaterasu Omikami was transferred from Yamato Province and was worshiped here for four years.
Later, Ise Grand Shrine was founded and Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Omikami came to be enshrined there, which is why this shrine is known as the “hometown of Oise-sama.”
Up the mountain behind the shrine is the inner shrine, Manai Shrine, which conveys the history of Yosano-miya to the present day, including iwakura (sacred rocks) for Toyouke Omikami and Amaterasu Omikami and the sacred spring water of Manai, preserving its history since its founding.

Amanohashidate Shrine stands quietly within Amanohashidate.
Many dragon legends remain in Amanohashidate, and Amanohashidate Shrine enshrines the Hachidai Ryuo (Eight Great Dragon Kings).
The shrine’s water basin uses water from a mysterious well that bubbles up as fresh water despite being surrounded by the sea.
It’s also very popular as a spiritual spot for finding love.

At the Former Mikami Family Residence, a home of a wealthy merchant from the Edo period, you can enjoy features such as sake brewing facilities, a garden designated as a scenic spot, and elegant, formal tatami rooms—along with the architecture and garden of the time.
The residence itself is also covered in beautiful white plaster walls, giving it an imposing presence.
Due to its high value, it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2003.
If you’re interested in historic Edo-period architecture, it’s well worth a visit.

Itsukushima Shrine was built on Itsukushima, known as the island of the gods.
It’s said to have been founded in 593 by Saeki no Kuramoto, in the first year of Empress Suiko’s reign.
It enshrines three goddesses: Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, and Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto, daughters of Amaterasu Omikami.
Famous for granting many blessings, the three goddesses are worshiped as deities of the sea, transportation, wealth and fortune, and the arts.

Mount Misen is the highest mountain on Miyajima.
The view over the Miyajima area from the Misen Observatory at the summit is spectacular.
It’s said that Japan’s first Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi, looked at the summit view and marveled, saying, “The true value of the greatest of Japan’s Three Great Views lies in the view from the top.”
It’s also famous as a “sacred mountain,” as Kukai opened it and trained there.

Founded by Kukai in 806, Daisho-in is the head temple of the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism, with a history of over 1,200 years.
Its blessings for warding off misfortune and bringing good fortune are so strong that it has been selected as one of Japan’s Three Great “Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi.”
Also, behind the Daishido Hall-the oldest building within Daisho-in-sits the Ichigan Daishi, said to grant your wish if you make just one heartfelt request.
If you’re visiting Miyajima, be sure to stop by this spiritual spot, considered one of Japan’s best.