Matsushima Bay Joins "World's Most Beautiful Bays" Club

Above, Godaido Temple at Matsushima Bay in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2007, I paid a visit to Sendai and Matsushima Bay in Japan. It was somewhat a "sentimental journey" as I wanted to see where my late father was briefly stationed following the outbreak of the Korean War.

His National Guard unit was called up and sent over to Korea in 1951. Before he was sent to the Korean war zone, he was briefly stationed in Sendai and had duties there and in Matsushima Bay. He sent my mother a photo of himself in front of the Godaido Temple at Matsushima Bay. During my 2006 visit, I had a photo taken of myself at almost the exact spot.

Then came the March 11, 2010 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Matsushima Bay and Sendai were in the quake and tsunami zone. Sendai's airport was badly flooded. Some parts of Matsushima were also badly damaged. Fortunately, Matsushima Bay and Godaido Temple were spared devastating damage due to the 200 tiny islets that dot Matsushima Bay. They blunted the force of the tsunami. For a couple of days, many people, including myself, were checking the status of Godaido and Matsushima Bay. Finally, a photo was posted showing that Godaido and the businesses near it were still standing, although drenched.

Above, some of Matsushima Bay's islets. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Matsushima Bay is one of the most picturesque spots in Japan. It is often compared to Carmel, California in scenic beauty.

This scenic beauty has now been recognized as one of the world's most beautiful bays.

According to The Asahi Shimbun:

MATSUSHIMA, Miyagi Prefecture—Matsushima Bay in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture has become the first Japanese member of a France-based environmental group’s “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club,” a town official said. 

The decision was announced Dec. 6 at the club’s general meeting held in Cambodia, the official said.

Regular readers of this blog know that I have been a big advocate for visiting Matsushima Bay. Perhaps this designation will spur some of you to see it for yourselves.

To read the full article, go here.