Matsushima (松島町; -cho) is a small city (population 16,765) in Miyagi prefecture, Japan. The town faces Matsushima Bay, famous for some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) -- hence the name -- and ranked as one of Three Views of Japan.
In 1689, Haiku poet Matsuo Basho visited Matsushima on the trip recorded in Oku no Hosomichi. A well-known poem often attributed to Basho claims to record his reaction, signifying that nothing more could be said:
- Matsushima ah, Matsushima!
- Ah, Matsushima, ah!
- Matsushima, ah!
However, the true author of the poem is disputed.
Transportation
The town is only a short distance from prefectural capital Sendai and is easily accessible by train.
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