Back in Matsushima

Bird in the shot, a photo by dtk_guy on Flickr.

I suppose I could've picked a photo featuring one of the many islands lying in the bay south of Matsushima but I opted for this one instead. I took way too many photos of little pine tree covered islands. So a photo with a seagull hogging the shot is probably a good choice to share here.

My trip to Matsushima was the second time I visited this popular tourist destination. Though the first time wasn't much of a visit. My father drove the family there from our hotel part way up Mount Zao and when we got there the traffic was terrible, it was hot, and there probably wasn't a place to park. So we just looked at the scenery from the car and headed back to Sendai (and Mt. Zao). At least that's how I think things worked out. We're talking about 40 years ago so you'll have to excuse me if my recollection of the visit is a bit hazy.

Matsushima was spared from damage by the the March 11th, 2011 tsunami by virtue of its geographical features. The numerous small islands close to the town and several larger islands lying further out took the brunt of the tsunami. There are probably a number of islands which were damaged by the earthquake but only one of them was pointed out to passengers on the boat cruise I took.

Matsushima is one of the renowned three places of scenic views in Japan. The other two are Itsukishima and Amanohashidate. I've been to Itsukishima (also known as Miyajima) in Hiroshima prefecture. I had once given a thought to visiting Amanohashidate but when planning the visit from Kyoto, where I was staying at the time, I found it to be a touch distant for a single day trip. I suppose I'll get there...some day.

A Rainy Day in Miyagi Prefecture

Kyotokumaru No. 18, a photo by dtk_guy on Flickr.

The fishing boat in the above photo is now being dismantled. Not too long after I visited Kesennuma, a vote was taken to decide the fate of the boat and the result was in favour of removing it. Unlike the pine tree of Rikuzentakata which died, was cut down, preserved and raised as a memorial, this boat will not remain to remind people of the devastation caused by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

My drive that soggy July day was sobering one. I started out in Ichinoseki, Iwate prefecture and made my way through Rikuzentakata, Kesennuma, Minamisanriku, Onagawa, Ishinomaki and on to Sendai. I took Route 45 for a good part of that trip. Along the way I passed plenty of signs which marked the upper limits of tsunami inundation, plots of land which looked like abandoned fields but were in fact foundations of houses and buildings, washed out railway bridges, and large compounds full of debris still being sorted out for removal. By the time I got to Ishinomaki I was both physically and mentally tired. Getting onto the highway was a respite of sorts. By the time I found parking and had checked into my hotel, I was pretty well exhausted.

In hindsight I'm not exactly sure why I undertook that leg of the trip. Going to Hiraizumi, Matsushima and Sendai are typical "touristy" things to do. Driving Miyagi's northeastern coastal road is not. I suppose I did it partly out of morbid curiosity, a desire to grasp the gravity of the devastation, and wanting to pay my respects to the victims. In the end I feel a small part grateful that the weather that day was bleak and wet as it intensified the emotional impact that passage along that route had on me.