Sendai station served as a transit point for me today. I took a train on Tōhoku Main Line to visit Matsushima, one of the three views of Japan located the northeast of Sendai, in the morning. Then after returned to Sendai station by noon, I immediately took a train on the Senzan Line to visit Yamadera, famous for its temples on cliffs located at the west of Sendai. I finished the day at a observation deck on top of a building next to the Sendai station.

The main hall of Zuigan-ji at Matsushima was under renovation.


Some of the halls of Zuigan-ji were not opened to public.


The remains of the caves where monks used to meditate.


Cascading inlets at the Mastushima bay lead to Godaido.


Godaido was one of the landmarks of Mastushima.


The Fukuura bridge connected to the Fukuura-jima island.


Seagulls flew alongside the ferry touring the Mastushima bay looking for food from tourists.


Seagulls were not so cute when they flew in front of cameras and blocked views.


Naturally these two islets were named Twin inlets.


I actually forgot what the legends had when one rowed a boat through this tunnel.


Niou-jima cruise ferries were name after this Niou-jima inlet.


One could see the mountain temples (Yamadera was literally mountain temple) right after disembarking the train.


The temple behind the snow was worshiping Maitreya.


The trail to the mountain temples was half buried in snow and ice.


Icicles formed on cliffs.


The Godaido of Yamadera was well protected from piled snow.


This panorama view was the reason people came to Yamadera.


A train just departed Yamadera station.


The Shingansen bullet train that was arriving Sendai station.


The broadcast tower covered in colorful lights.


The shopping street in front of Sendai station.


I chose to have charcoal grilled beef tongue as the main dish of my dinner again.


The Next Day