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Northern Japan · 1 Night / 2 Days
Southern Tohoku:
Sendai & Matsushima
From Matsushima Bay's thousand islands to the temple ruins of Hiraizumi — a two-day immersion in Japan's ancient north.
2 Days / 1 Night
Duration
Alphard / HiAce
Vehicle
English
Language
1–9 Guests
Group Size
Year-Round
Availability
Tokyo Hotel
Departure
The Experience
Japan's Three Views & a UNESCO World Heritage Coast
Matsushima Bay is one of Japan's three views (nihon sankei) — 260 pine-covered islands scattered across calm water. Sendai is the gateway, a modern city with the Date clan's castle ruins atop Aoba Hill. Hiraizumi, 2 hours north, holds Konjikido — a gilded hall that survived 900 years — and the temple complex of Chusonji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This two-day circuit gives you the full breadth of southern Tohoku: a bay cruise through the islands, the serene grounds of Zuiganji Temple, Sendai's castle hill at dusk, and a morning among Hiraizumi's gilded halls. The optional Geibikei Gorge boat ride adds one of Japan's most dramatic river landscapes to the return journey.
With a private driver, the journey between sites is part of the experience — rice fields, mountain ridges, and coastal views that no Shinkansen passenger ever sees. Your driver handles all logistics, leaving you free to look out the window.
By Season
Sendai & Matsushima Through the Year
Matsushima in Cherry Bloom
Cherry blossoms frame Matsushima Bay's 260 pine islands in late March to mid-April. The combination of blossom, sea, and island silhouettes makes this one of Japan's most quietly spectacular spring scenes.
Shidare-zakura at Takkoku-no-Iwaya
Near Hiraizumi, the cliff-face temple of Takkoku-no-Iwaya is draped in weeping cherry blossoms in early April. A far less visited site than Matsushima, and all the more striking for it.
Aoba Castle Blossoms
Sendai's castle ruins on Aoba Hill are surrounded by cherry trees in full bloom from late March. Views over the city with blossoms in the foreground — the Date clan's seat in spring colour.
Matsushima Bay Cruise
The 50-minute bay cruise passes dozens of pine-covered islands at close range. In spring the islands are ringed by cherry blossoms visible from the water — a perspective impossible from the shore alone.
Sample 2-Day Itinerary — Spring
- 07:30Hotel Pickup, TokyoDepart early for the 4-hour drive north to Miyagi Prefecture.
- 11:30Matsushima Bay Cruise50-minute boat tour through the 260 pine-covered islands. Cherry blossoms along the shoreline in late March–April.
- 13:00Zuiganji TempleDate clan's Zen temple — cave hermitages carved into the cliff face, cedar-lined approach.
- 14:30Lunch in MatsushimaGrilled oysters and kaisendon (seafood bowl) — Matsushima is one of Japan's top oyster regions.
- 16:00Sendai — Aoba Castle RuinsDate Masamune statue and castle hill views over the city. Cherry blossoms peak late March.
- 18:00Jozenji-dori AvenueSendai's zelkova-lined boulevard. Evening stroll before dinner.
- NIGHTOvernight in SendaiRecommended: Sendai city hotel or Matsushima ryokan — arrangements on request.
- 09:00Day 2 — Hiraizumi, Chusonji TempleUNESCO World Heritage Site. Konjikido — a gilded hall sheathed in gold leaf, standing for 900 years.
- 11:00Motsuji Temple GardenPure Land garden — one of Japan's most complete surviving Heian-period landscapes.
- 12:30Takkoku-no-Iwaya (Weeping Cherry)Cliff-face temple with shidare-zakura. Peak: early April.
- 14:00Depart for Tokyo4-hour return drive south. Optional stop en route.
- 18:00Hotel Drop-off, Tokyo
Sendai Tanabata Festival
August 6–8: Japan's largest Tanabata festival fills Sendai's shopping arcades with thousands of elaborate bamboo decorations in paper and silk. One of Japan's top three summer festivals — plan accommodation 3–4 months in advance.
Lush Green Islands
Matsushima's pine islands are at their most vividly green in summer. The bay cruise offers a cooling sea breeze. The islands' deep pine colour against blue water is the classic summer Matsushima image.
Hiraizumi Without Crowds
Summer sees fewer visitors at Hiraizumi's UNESCO temples. Morning light through the cedar groves around Chusonji creates a deeply atmospheric approach before tour groups arrive.
Geibikei Gorge by Boat
The Geibikei Gorge boat ride — flat-bottomed boats poled along a narrow river between 50-metre limestone walls — is at its most lush in summer. Crystal-clear water and deep green vegetation.
Sample 2-Day Itinerary — Summer
- 07:30Hotel Pickup, TokyoEarly departure. 4-hour drive north to Miyagi.
- 11:30Matsushima Bay Cruise50-minute island cruise. Green pine islands in calm summer water.
- 13:00Zuiganji TempleCave hermitages and the main hall — shaded cedar approach is welcome in summer heat.
- 14:30Lunch — Grilled OystersMatsushima oyster restaurants along the waterfront.
- 16:00Sendai — Tanabata Decorations (Aug 6-8)Shopping arcades filled with giant paper and silk bamboo decorations. Book accommodation months ahead during festival.
- 18:00Sendai EveningKokubuncho dining district or Jozenji-dori for dinner.
- NIGHTOvernight in SendaiRecommended: Sendai city hotel — arrangements on request.
- 09:00Day 2 — Hiraizumi, Chusonji TempleUNESCO World Heritage. Konjikido gilded hall and Kyozo treasure house.
- 11:00Motsuji TempleHeian-era Pure Land garden. Lotus flowers bloom in the central pond in July–August.
- 12:30Geibikei Gorge Boat Ride90-minute flat-bottomed boat ride through limestone canyon walls. Summer greenery at peak.
- 14:30Depart for Tokyo
- 18:30Hotel Drop-off, Tokyo
Koyo at Chusonji
Hiraizumi's temple forests turn gold and crimson from mid-October to early November. The cedar-lined approach to Chusonji framed by autumn maples, with the gilded Konjikido at the end — one of Tohoku's most memorable autumn scenes.
Geibikei Gorge in Peak Foliage
The Geibikei Gorge in autumn is considered one of Japan's finest foliage corridors. Sheer limestone walls draped in crimson and gold, reflected in the river below. Peak: late October to early November.
Matsushima Autumn Islands
The pine-covered islands of Matsushima Bay take on a richer, more dramatic quality in autumn light. The bay cruise in October or November offers long golden-hour reflections on the water.
Aoba Castle in Autumn Colour
Sendai's castle hill maples peak in early November. Views from the ruins over the city, with autumn forest stretching toward the Hirose River valley — the best vantage point in the city.
Sample 2-Day Itinerary — Autumn
- 07:30Hotel Pickup, Tokyo
- 11:30Matsushima Bay CruiseAutumn light on the islands. Long golden reflections on calm October water.
- 13:00Zuiganji TempleAutumn maples along the cedar approach. Cave hermitages lit by afternoon light.
- 14:30Lunch in MatsushimaOyster season is October–March. Peak autumn = peak oyster season.
- 16:00Sendai — Aoba Castle HillAutumn colour over the city. Date Masamune statue against fall foliage.
- NIGHTOvernight in SendaiRecommended: Sendai city hotel or Matsushima ryokan — arrangements on request.
- 08:30Day 2 — Hiraizumi, Chusonji TempleAutumn maples lining the cedar approach. Konjikido in golden morning light. Peak: mid-October to early November.
- 10:30Motsuji Temple GardenAutumn reflections in the Pure Land garden pond.
- 11:30Geibikei Gorge Boat RidePeak foliage corridor — sheer walls in crimson and gold. One of Japan's finest autumn river scenes.
- 13:30Depart for Tokyo
- 17:30Hotel Drop-off, Tokyo
Snow-Covered Matsushima
Winter snow on the pine islands of Matsushima creates an austere, ink-painting quality. The bay is quiet and the light is clean and sharp. The few winter visitors who make the journey find an entirely different — and deeply Japanese — landscape.
Konjikido Under Snow
Hiraizumi in winter is covered in deep snow from January onwards. The gilded Konjikido temple, surrounded by white, is one of Tohoku's most striking cold-weather images. Visitor numbers are minimal — the site is yours.
Peak Oyster Season
Matsushima oysters are at their absolute best from October to March. Winter is peak season — fat, cold-water oysters grilled fresh at the waterfront. A strong reason to visit in the colder months.
No Crowds
Winter Tohoku sees a fraction of the tourist traffic of spring and autumn. Temples, castle hills, and bay viewpoints are peaceful and unhurried. Your driver sets an easy pace through snowy Miyagi and Iwate.
Sample 2-Day Itinerary — Winter
- 07:30Hotel Pickup, Tokyo
- 11:30Matsushima Bay CruiseSnow-dusted pine islands in winter calm. Fewer boats, quieter water, clearer views.
- 13:00Zuiganji TempleCedar approach in winter silence. Cave hermitages lit by cold winter light.
- 14:30Lunch — Winter OystersMatsushima oysters are at peak flavour October–March. Grilled on the waterfront.
- 16:00Sendai CityAoba Castle hill in winter light. Sendai Hikari no Pageant illuminations (December) on Jozenji-dori.
- NIGHTOvernight in SendaiRecommended: Sendai city hotel — arrangements on request.
- 09:00Day 2 — Hiraizumi Under SnowChusonji in deep winter. Konjikido surrounded by snow — the most dramatic version of this 900-year-old gilded hall.
- 11:00Motsuji TempleSnow-covered Pure Land garden. Austere and quietly beautiful.
- 12:30Depart for Tokyo
- 16:30Hotel Drop-off, Tokyo
Your 2-Day Journey
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival Day
Depart Tokyo · ~6h driving + touring
Matsushima · Sendai
- Matsushima Bay cruise through 260 pine islands
- Zuiganji Temple — cave hermitages and cedar approach
- Sendai — Aoba Castle ruins and Date clan history
- Jozenji-dori evening stroll
- Overnight in Sendai city or Matsushima ryokan
Day 2
Return Day Full Circuit
Morning exploration · Return to Tokyo
Hiraizumi · Geibikei Gorge (optional)
- Chusonji Temple — Konjikido gilded hall (UNESCO)
- Motsuji Temple Pure Land garden
- Optional: Geibikei Gorge flat-bottomed boat ride
- Return journey to Tokyo (~4 hours)
- Hotel drop-off early evening
Larger Groups
Two vehicles.
One formation.
When the group exceeds what a single vehicle can hold, we don't hand you off to a bus company. We send two — or three — of our own vehicles together, coordinated as a fleet. One lead driver, one group chat, one point of contact. Every vehicle in the convoy is ours. Every driver is ours. That is what makes it different from a chartered bus.
Enquire About Convoy BookingMulti-Vehicle Options
Alphard × 2
Up to 8 Passengers
Two private Alphards in convoy. Ideal for families, small corporate groups, or couples travelling together.
Alphard + HiAce
Up to 13 Passengers
VIP passengers in the Alphard, the rest in the HiAce. Keeps groups together without putting everyone in a bus.
HiAce × 2
Up to 18 Passengers
Full group capacity across two HiAces. No one gets separated. Both vehicles depart and arrive together.
HiAce × 3
Up to 27 Passengers
Full fleet deployment for large groups. Corporate events, large tour groups, multi-stop itineraries. Custom combinations on request.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private Sendai & Matsushima tour cost?
Pricing for Tohoku tours is quoted individually based on dates, route, and group size — submit an inquiry and we respond with a full quote. Day tours elsewhere start from ¥75,000 per vehicle.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
All Hire Taxi Japan prices are per vehicle, not per person. A Toyota Alphard seats 1–4 passengers and a Toyota HiAce seats up to 9, so the per-person cost drops sharply for families and groups. Larger parties can book two or three vehicles in convoy — up to 27 passengers.
What is Sendai known for?
Sendai is the largest city in Tohoku, founded by the one-eyed warlord Date Masamune. It is famous for gyutan (grilled beef tongue), the Tanabata Festival, and Aoba Castle's hilltop views — and it is the gateway to Matsushima Bay.
What is the best way to see Matsushima Bay?
Take the sightseeing cruise among the pine islands, then walk to Godaido Hall and the Kanrantei tea pavilion. Zuiganji, the region's most important Zen temple, is five minutes on foot from the harbor.
Does the Sendai & Matsushima tour include hotel pickup?
Yes. Your English-speaking driver meets you in the lobby of your hotel in Tokyo (or any address you choose) and returns you door-to-door at the end of the day. Luggage, strollers, and shopping bags travel in the car with you.
Do the drivers speak English?
Yes. All Hire Taxi Japan chauffeurs communicate in English and are licensed professional drivers. They handle navigation, parking, and timing — and share local recommendations — but are drivers rather than licensed tour guides.
How long is the Sendai & Matsushima tour?
Plan for 1 night 2 days (or a long day trip). Because the tour is private, the schedule is flexible — you can extend time at any stop, skip others, or ask your driver to reorder the day around weather and crowds.
How do I book or ask a question?
Book online via the Japan Tour Package page on hiretaxijapan.com, or message us on WhatsApp at +81 70 1265 4460 for a custom plan. We confirm availability and your driver's details within a few hours.
Ready to Go
Reserve Your Sendai & Matsushima Tour
Private vehicle from your Tokyo hotel. English-speaking driver. Two full days in the ancient north.
Matsushima Bay, Hiraizumi UNESCO temples, and the Sendai castle hill — all at your own pace.
