Otaka-Mori

©AFLO

Oku-Matsushima is situated east of Matsushima, one of Three Views of Japan. With a landscape boasting wild coastal beauty, and a calm inland sea perfect for swimming and recreation, it is a popular tourist spot.
At the heart of Miyato-jima, the largest island in Matsushima Bay, towers the 105.8m Mt. Otaka-mori. The climb to the top takes about 20 minutes from the start of the mountain trail, and from the viewing platform over 260 islands floating in the bay can be seen, a stunning vista spread in front of you just like a beautiful painting.
The Reikan (beautiful view) from Tomi-yama and Yukan (enchanting view) from Ogi-dani in Matsushima-machi, and the Ikan (grand view) from Tamon-zan in the town of Shichigahama, together with the Sokan (magnificent view) from Otaka-mori, are known collectively as the Shidaikan, the four greatest views in Matsushima. Amongst these, Otaka-mori is especially popular with tourists who say that it makes Matsushima appear as a miniature garden.