FEEL THE TRADITION THROUGH FIVE SENSES

Being able to experience a tea ceremony with the beautiful Kengo Kuma-designed space was also very special. Many people may have the chance to participate in a tea ceremony, but it was rare to be able to actually learn how to do it ourselves. And the friendly, English-speaking staff were also very helpful.

Tsukishima was a very fun area to walk around. The small pathways were very fun and intruiging, as well as photogenic. It was a neighborhood with a unique feel from the rest of Tokyo.
Komachi felt like a very authentic restaurant where locals probably eat. And the monja-yaki was delicious. Good ingredients and a helpful staff who make the food for you made this an enjoyable experience.

It's understandable why Tokyo Tower is such a popular tourist destination. Despite the crowds, it truly offers a fun experience to rise above the sprawling Tokyo metropolis and take in all the views.
The nearby Zozoji Temple was a very nice contrast because you escape the crowds and noise into a serene environment.

Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center is located within a nondescript office building, which makes it feel like a hidden secret. For a very reasonable price they offer tastings of sake and shochu that include 3 different pairings. It was great to be able to compare different varieties (like daiginjo and junmai-daiginjo), as well as try sake from different regions of Japan. Being able to try shochu was also an additional bonus.
The space itself, although small, was well designed and included nice details like a large wooden barrel on the ceiling. Visitors could also purchase bottles of sake and shochu directly, which was nice.

Kushi Agemono Shuns was a wonderful restaurant that served kushi-age: hunks of meat, seafood, and vegetables breaded with panko and deep fried.
The restaurant itself had a luxurious ambiance with spectacular views of the city, a trait that is sure to be appreciated by many locals and tourists.

We stayed at the Hotel Monterey Ginza, an affordable hotel ideally located in central Ginza. The bed was comfortable and I had a very relaxing stay.

Tokyo Station offers so many Ekiben options that it can be a little overwhelming.The bento was delicious and eating it on the shinkansen while we travelled out of Tokyo was very enjoyable.

It is difficult to overstate the joys of riding the shinkansen. The trains are so punctual and everything works so smoothly. We took the shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai. We arrived before I knew it.

Upon arriving at Matsushima Kaigan Station (which is an adorable little station) we walked to the dock and took a 1-hour boat trip that circles the bay and followed the route explored by Japanese haiku master Matsuo Basho that inspired him to write a series of poems. With Miyagi Prefecture facing the Pacific Ocean, it is no surprise that the region is blessed with some of the most beautiful island scenery in the country. It was amazing getting up close to the artwork of mother nature.

A few steps down the pier is Godaido Temple and the vermillion bridge connecting it to the coast. The present structure was reconstructed by Date Masamune, the renowned and powerful lord who ruled Miyagi. Walking around the temple you can see some fantastic craftwork that includes the zodiac animals carved into all four walls. The island Godaido-jima, where Godaido is located, is surrounded by the bay of Matsushima and its beauty can be appreciated from all corners.

Hotel Ubudo is an exotic hotel. It has a luxurious feel that extends from the main entrence to the rooms and then up to the roof where its rotemburo (outdoor bath) overlooking the bay is jaw-droppingly fabulous.

Our lunch at Hotel Ubudo was a lavish kaiseki affair that showcased the rich variety of local seafood. Everything was delicious but I especially enjoyed the sashimi, which we were told was caught locally.

It's not very often that you get to try on a kimono, but at Matsushima we went to Ume Luv Rental Kimono where we were able to pick out one from kimonos or yukatas that we liked, try a yukata on and stroll around Matsushima. I think many people might be hesitant because kimonos or yukatas are difficult to tie but the owner is very kind and attentive and helped us tie everything. It was a warm day but yukatas are surprisingly cool and allow for air to pass through, so they were actually very comfortable.

Matsushima's best-known structure is one of the most famous Zen temples in northern Japan. From the minute we entered the grounds of Zuiganji it felt so peaceful. The green carpet below the trees was not green grass but beautiful bright moss. Along the pathway leading to the temple were caves dug out by priests long ago and adorned with beautiful Buddhist statues. A large gate was being renovated but once we passed through we saw the impressive main hall, a large wooden structure. But it's the temple's interior that impresses, especially the wood-carved transoms and brilliantly painted, gold-plated fusuma. It felt particularly special to be walking around in a kimono. At times I felt as though I had been transported back into time, hundreds of years ago.

After Zuiganji we walked back to the port and stopped off at the wonderful and quaint Kanrantei Tea House. From our seats we could look out onto the bay and in our kimono it was easy enough to imagine having tea with Date Masamune. The tea and sweets that were served were delicious and this was the perfect place to rest.

A little before dusk we went to Otakamori and began our 30-min hike to the top. As we approached the top, a dramatic view of Matsushima Bay opened up in front of our eyes and it was spectacular. The sun was setting so we stayed up there for about 20 mins and watched the sun set. Although there were some clouds, each moment the sky changes and it's a view that you'll never get bored of.

That evening we stayed at Chidorikan.There were no bells and the rooms were very basic but they were clean and comfortable, which made for an enjoyable stay. And the location, just steps from the water, was perfect because you could hear the relaxing sound of the waves at night.

The next morning we tried sea kayaking, which was strenuous but fun. The kayak allowed us to row quite far out and when we got tired there were a few islands with small beaches that we could paddle up to and get off. That was quite excting.
Ｎext we got on a motor boat and were allowed to experience actually driving and steering the boat which was quite scary! But it was very memorable.Lastly, we were able to experience kagoryo (basket fishing), which is a traditional method of catching fish in Japan.

Before we headed back to Sendai Station we stopped off at the Earthquake Memorial Museum. Here, there are many photographs of before and after the tsunami. There are also artifacts (like an old train ticket machine) that have been damaged from the tsunami. Looking out the window, you could see an old train station and it proved to be a valuable time to reflect on the tsunami, but also all the progress and recovery that has been made.

Overall, this was a fantastic itinerary. It was one that included locations and activities that most tourists don't get to experience, or don't even know about. In that sense, it was very valuable. And I was pleasantly surprised how accessible everything is. I got to see and experience a side of Japan that I did not know!