Oku-Matsushima 2-Day Local Homestay and Fishing Experience

Oku-Matsushima 2-Day Local Homestay and Fishing Experience

Book this amazing 6.5-hour tour to explore the local town of Matsushima and Shiogama! Visit the historical Kanrantei Tea House or Senshin-an. Experience a tea ceremony and green tea tasting in the most authentic way! Matsushima is also known as a historically important location for being the base of the shogunate during the Sengoku (Warring States) period. Visit the symbol of Matsushima - Zuiganji Temple, built by the local warrior Masamune Date, also known as the "one-eyed dragon". Learn the fascinating history of Matsushima from your knowledgeable guide while enjoying its beautiful landscape as well as local lifestyle.

10:00am - Meet your guide at Hon-Shiogama Station in Matsushima

Walk to a famous local green tea store for a unique "green tea tasting" experience. You will have a chance to taste a few kinds of high-grade green tea that is served at luxurious hotels and ryokan. Also try some unique sake-based green tea cocktail.  

11:00am - Visit a local sake brewery

The sake brewery is famous nationwide in Japan. Learn more about the brewery's history as well as the manufacturing process of sake. While learning the variety of sake, enjoy some sake tasting experience.

If you are traveling on Sunday, the sake brewery is closed and you will be taken on a short sightseeing boat ride in Matsushima Bay instead.

12:30pm - Lunch

Stop by a local area for lunch (at your own expense); food selections includes sushi, yakiniku (Japanese style BBQ), local izakaya food, seafood, oysters, shojin cuisine (vegetarian).

1:30pm - Tea ceremony and walking tour in Matsushima

Enjoy a tea ceremony experience at the Kanrantei Tea House or Senshin-an.

After tea ceremony you will go on a walking tour of Matsushima. Visit the symbol of Matsushima - Zuiganji Temple, registered as Japan National Treasure and Important Cultural Property. After Matsushima became a base of the historical warrior Masamune Date, he and his family built a number of impressive facilities including Zuiganji Temple. This area was beloved by Masamune Date because of its excellent location as a port city surrounded by hundreds of islands and sunken rocks that prevent the invasion of enemies. Thanks to those islands, Matsushima suffered relatively smaller damage from the tsunami occurred in March, 2011.

You will also visit the Godaido Temple (Japan Important Cultural Property) and Entsuin Temple. If time allows, stop by the famous pine tree "Saigyo Modish". Walk with your knowledgeable local guide and take this great opportunity to learn more about the history and local lifestyle of Matsushima. Some places you will visit include

4:30pm - Tour ends at Matsuhima-Kaigan station