Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Japan - Day 8 - Matsushima Century Hotel, Dinner Buffet

Thursday, October 20, 2016   Matsushima, Miyagi

The dinner buffet at the Matsushima Century Hotel was awesome. 


DSC01425a

DSC01426a

DSC01427a

DSC01428a

DSC01429a

DSC01430a

DSC01431a

DSC01434a

DSC01435a

DSC01436a

DSC01437a

DSC01446a

DSC01441a

DSC01444a

DSC01447a

DSC01439a

I ate a raw oyster, and I liked it!
DSC01438a

Our futons were laid out when we got back from dinner. Somehow, Sweetie and I actually preferred sleeping on the floor. 
DSC01450a

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Japan - Day 8 - Matsushima Bay

Thursday, October 20, 2016   Matsushima, Miyagi

Before arriving at our next destination which was to be Matsushima Bay, we made a stop at a rest area to have lunch. 

Here's what me and Sweetie chose.
DSC01359a

After lunch the bus dropped us off at Shiogama Pier where we boarded a ferry for a scenic cruise through the waters of Matsushima Bay. 
DSC01362a

DSC01363a

DSC01364a

Shiogama Pier is on the lower left corner of the map.  The red route is the one that our ferry took. We traveled northward and ended up in Matsushima. 
IMG_6729a

We sat on the lower level.  Good thing because upstairs was a noisy bunch of drunk guys.
DSC01366a

DSC01368a

The pine-studded islets floating in the Matsushima Bay is noted as one of the three most beautiful sights of Japan, known as the Nihon Sankei. It holds this distinction along with the sandbar of Amanohashidate and the torii of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
DSC01372a

DSC01378a

DSC01381a

DSC01387a

DSC01389a

About halfway through the ride my photos started looking like this, so I quit taking um. Maybe I shoulda joined the drunk guys upstairs for a better view.
DSC01393a

We arrived in Matsushima after about 50 minutes.
DSC01394a

Our room in the Matsushima Century Hotel was fabulous.
DSC01400a

And so was the view. 
DSC01410a

DSC01412a

Panorama1a

We had some time to spare before dinner so our guide Reiko recommended that we visit either Godaido Hall, a beautifully decorated temple located on an islet adjacent to the pier near our hotel, or Zuiganji, one of Tohoku's most famous and prominent Zen temples (both circled in blue by Reiko). Me and Sweetie chose to shop at Matsushima Fish Market instead (circled in red by me).
IMG_6723a

We made it just in time . . . they were closing in 10 minutes. No chance to take pictures in the store, but we did find a bunch of stuff to buy.
DSC01417a


Monday, November 28, 2016

Japan - Day 8 - Geibi-kei Gorge, Boatman's Serenade

Thursday, October 20, 2016   Hiraizumi, Iwate

It was such a wonderful surprise to hear the boatman singing to us.




Sunday, November 27, 2016

Japan - Day 8 - Geibi-kei Gorge

Thursday, October 20, 2016   Hiraizumi, Iwate

This was one of the excursions that I was most looking forward to on this tour. Although it turned out to be not as colorful as I was expecting, it was still a memorable experience cruising through the beautiful, narrow gorge. 

DSC01229a

DSC01348a

DSC01235a

DSC01239a

DSC01251a

DSC01257a

DSC01262a

DSC01274a

DSC01280-2a

DSC01282a

DSC01291a

DSC01292a

DSC01301a

DSC01307a

DSC01312a

DSC01338a

IMG_6721a

IMG_6715a