🗾🏞️🌲 Japan's Three Scenic Wonders - Matsushima & Miyajima 🏝️🌳🐉

Japan is a country where natural beauty and ancient traditions are intertwined, with numerous historical sites scattered throughout. Notably, three places have been praised since ancient times as spectacular views—Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture🌲, Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture🐉, and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture🏝️. Since the early Edo period, they have been mentioned by the Confucian scholar Hayashi Gahō in his work "Examination of the Acts of Japan" and are known as the "Three Views of Japan." Here, we will delve into the unique charm and appeal of these three wonders. 1️⃣ Matsushima, located in the central part of Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture, is famous for its more than 260 islands and is hailed as a masterpiece of nature and art🎨. These islands, covered with magnificent black pines, showcase the natural wonders shaped by sea erosion. Visitors can appreciate these beautiful islands from different perspectives through various sightseeing boat routes🚤. Notably, Matsushima's moonlight scenery was selected as one of the "100 Famous Moons of Japan" in 2016🌕. On full moon or near-full moon nights, the golden moonlight illuminates the islands, creating a dreamlike scene. Moreover, the "Four Great Views" offer the best observation points, each showing a different aspect of Matsushima's charm. 📍Address: 98-1 Matsushima, Matsushima-cho, Miyagi Prefecture 🚌Transportation: About a 25-minute walk from JR Tohoku Main Line "Matsushima Station" to the sightseeing center area 2️⃣ Miyajima, revered as a sacred island, has been a World Heritage site since 1996. The Itsukushima Shrine complex coexists harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment, showing a mysterious and unique beauty✨. Miyajima is not only a center of religious belief but also a convergence of nature and culture. Whether it's the weathered granite, the primeval forest of Mount Misen🌄, or the Miyajima Ropeway🚠 offering a distant view of Shikoku, it's captivating. The shopping street on the island, Omotesando, retains a strong Edo period atmosphere🏮, providing an excellent opportunity to taste the cuisine of the Seto Inland Sea🍢. 📍Address: Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture 🚌Transportation: About a 10-minute ferry ride from Miyajima-guchi Pier 3️⃣ Amanohashidate, located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a unique sandbar known as a natural landscape that looks like a dragon ascending to heaven🌊. This sandbar, about 3.6 kilometers long, is home to about 6,700 pine trees🌳, forming a magnificent picture. Visitors can walk or cycle🚴‍♀ through the sandbar to experience the natural beauty of Amanohashidate. Amanohashidate Park also houses many cultural heritages, including the epitaph visited by Emperor Showa and the song epitaph of the couple Yosano Hiro and Akiko Yosano📜. Most strikingly, despite being surrounded by seawater, the "Isoshimizu" here is completely non-salty and is recognized as one of the "100 Famous Waters of Japan"💧. 📍Address: Shinju Amanohashidate Park, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture 🚌Transportation: About a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Tango Railway "Amanohashidate Station" #JapanTravel 🗾 #Matsushima 🌲 #Miyajima 🏝️ #Amanohashidate 🐉 #ThreeScenicWondersOfJapan 🏞️ #JapaneseTouristAttractions #WhichWondersDoYouMostWantToVisit?[Vote] 📊