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6 hr – 7 hrneeds a 10h call5.0★ · 21 reviewsFree cancellation 24h aheadPrivate

Matsushima Private Guided Tour

A private day in Matsushima on foot with a locally raised licensed guide: the temples, the islands, a bay cruise and a local lunch, all paid for as you go.

Check dates & prices →Why it is on this site ↓
Matsushima Private Guided Tour1 / 4

Photo: tour operator, via Viator

Duration
6 hr – 7 hr
From pickup or the meeting point and back
Your call needs
10+ hours
Incl. getting ashore and the hour before all-aboard
Price
From US$107 per person
Free cancellation 24h ahead · as of 26 Sep 2026
Group
Private · up to 4
Stained glass, 2nd floor of Sendai Station
Why it is on this site
  • It covers Matsushima properly — Oshima's monk caves, Entsu-in, Zuiganji, Godaido, a bay cruise and Fukuurajima — at a small-group pace of four or fewer.
  • The guide chooses a local lunch spot to your taste, and everything is within walking distance of the station.
  • Twenty-one reviews, all five stars.
Best for

Walkers who want Matsushima done thoroughly with a good storyteller.

Think twice if

Only the guide fee is included: train fares, entries, the bay cruise (JPY 1,500) and your meals are extra, and the record prices Zuiganji at JPY 700, while the site's data has it at JPY 1,000 since April 2026. It meets at Sendai Station, which means doubling back past the station nearest the ship, so ask to start at Matsushima instead — the record says that is possible.

What the operator lists

The day, stop by stop

  1. Sendai Station · 40 mintake a train to Matsushima. it costs 420yen. if you have JR pass you can use it.
  2. 40 minvisit a small island with lots of caves Buddhist monks made. it's said the history of Matsishima started from this island. while walk around this island you can find many ruins.
  3. Entsu-in Temple · 30 minvisit a temple with a beautiful Japanese garden. the garden has zen sand garden and the oldest rose garden in Japan. and there are some caves for memorial services. entrance fee 500 yen.
  4. Zuigan-ji Temple Main Hall · 30 minvist a beautiful temple which is made 400 years ago. the feudal load who made this temple collected 150 best crafts man at that time to make this temple. entrance fee 700yen
  5. Godaido · 15 minit's a small island which 400 years old temple on it.
  6. Matsushima-machi · 1 hrtake a lunch at a local restaurant. I can chose a restaurant according to your preference.
  7. Matsushima Bay · 1 hrtake a sightseeing cruise and see the Bay which has 260 islands. fee 1500 yen(if I book in advance, it will be 1350yen)
  8. Fukuurajima · 45 minvisit island called natural botanical garden by 260 meter bridge. while walking around this island you can find some places where you can see a beautiful view of the bay. entrance fee 200 yen
  9. Matsushima Kaigan Ekimae V Information Center · 40 minTake a train to Sendai. train ticket 420yen. if you have JR pass, you can use it.
Included
  • guide fee
Not included
  • your food and drink. Guide’s lunch.
  • transportation fee for you(local train for a round trip 840yen. you can use JR pass)
  • your entrance fee (Zuihoden 700yen, Entsuin 500yen, Fukuura island 200yen)
  • your Bay cruise fee(1500 yen. if I book it in advance it can be 1350yen)

Guide languages: English. Cancellation: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Run by Mai Sendai Tohoku tours.

Where it takes you

What you will see

Our own guides to the stops — so you know what you are booking before you book it.

~4h

Matsushima: Godaido, the bay and Zuiganji

Some 260 pine-topped islets in a shallow bay, counted as one of Japan’s three classic views since the 17th century.

Our guide to it →~7h

Matsushima with a licensed guide

A nationally licensed guide who grew up here takes you from Sendai station by local train to Zuigan-ji, Entsu-in, Godaido and Fukuurajima, with Matsushima street food on the way.

Our guide to it →
Book it

Check dates and book

Booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). There is rarely a tour desk at the pier, so book before you sail.

Matsushima Private Guided Tour5.0★ · 21 reviews · Private · up to 4From US$107 per personCheck dates →

We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. It never decides what we recommend — the “think twice” note above is there on purpose.

Quick answers

Before you book

Is the Matsushima Private Guided Tour worth it from the Sendai–Shiogama cruise port?

A private day in Matsushima on foot with a locally raised licensed guide: the temples, the islands, a bay cruise and a local lunch, all paid for as you go. Best for: Walkers who want Matsushima done thoroughly with a good storyteller.

How long a port call do I need for this tour?

About 10 hours. The tour runs 6 hr – 7 hr; add half an hour to get off the ship and keep the hour before all-aboard free. From the quay, Matsushima is a 10-minute taxi and a 20-minute train; meeting there saves an hour.

Can I cancel if my ship skips the port?

The operator's policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. The operator may cancel for bad weather, with a refund.

What should I know before booking?

Only the guide fee is included: train fares, entries, the bay cruise (JPY 1,500) and your meals are extra, and the record prices Zuiganji at JPY 700, while the site's data has it at JPY 1,000 since April 2026. It meets at Sendai Station, which means doubling back past the station nearest the ship, so ask to start at Matsushima instead — the record says that is possible.

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