Matsushima Bay's Tourist Numbers "Better Than Expected"

Above, one of the 260 islets that dot Matsushima Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Regular readers of this blog know that I have been "beating the drums" to encourage tourism to Japan, especially to the Matsushima Bay area.

I was pleased to read yesterday in The Mainichi Daily News that the Golden Week tourist numbers to Matsushima Bay were better than expected, roughly 80% of normal, according to cruise boat operators!

According to their article:

MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi -- A large number of tourists visited this scenic area in northeastern Japan on the Pacific coast during the annual Golden Week holiday period, giving some relief to local residents worried about the region's future.

Matsushima is famous for its bay, which is dotted by some 260 pine-covered islets and ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views. On May 4, during the 10-day Golden Week holiday, the area enjoyed more visitors than had been expected. "Even though the number of visitors is less than on an average year, it's still more than we expected. We are grateful to everyone," said a local resident.

Matsushima was damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, with souvenir shops and restaurants flooded above floor level. Cruise boats, one of the main attractions here, were not operated until the end of April. Local rail services have not been restored, either. Still, many tourists visited with their families by car.

Above, passengers aboard one of the cruise boats feed the bay's seagulls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is great news! This means that businesses who cater to the tourism industry will be able to weather the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Maybe they've read my blog posts!

Matsushima Bay is one of the most scenic areas of Japan (I visited there in 2006), and it is often compared to Carmel, California in beauty.

To read The Mainichi Daily News article, go here.