Private Tour

Matsushima Private Guided Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

I'm Mai, a national licensed tour guide who grew up this region.

Let’s enjoy the beauty of Matsushima, see historical places, enjoy local food with a knowledgeable guide!!!!

Matsushima is one of Japan's three best scenic places!

The bay is famous for about 260 small island covered with pine trees.

Matsushima also has been a place of worship, holy and spiritual place. Many temples there has hundreds of years history.

You can discover Matsushima more and get recommendation from your guide.

the bay around this area is know for having the best seafood in Japan. and Matsushima has many street food. so you can enjoy local food in this tour!

this tour stars from sendai and we take a local train to Matsushima (if you stay in Matsushima, we can start the tour Matsushima).

Matsushima is a small city so we visit all attractions on foot.

in the end we take a local train and go back to Sendai.

this tour is private so i can arrange it according to your preferences,

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

guide fee

your food and drink. Guide’s lunch.

transportation fee for you(local train for a round trip 840yen. you can use JR pass)

your entrance fee (Zuihoden 700yen, Entsuin 500yen, Fukuura island 200yen)

your Bay cruise fee(1500 yen. if I book it in advance it can be 1350yen)

What To Expect

Sendai Station

take a train to Matsushima. it costs 420yen. if you have JR pass you can use it.

40 minutes • Admission Not Included

visit a small island with lots of caves Buddhist monks made. it's said the history of Matsishima started from this island. while walk around this island you can find many ruins.

40 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Matsushima Private Guided Tour

Reviews

5.00

14 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Wonderful Matsushima!
Brian S,
Sep 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Both the temples and the cruise were fascinating! And Mai took us to an amazing local restaurant. Matsushima was a wonderful place to visit, even on a hot day!
A wonderful tour of Matsushima with local expert, Mai
WaiCheong T,
Sep 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This was an excellent private tour with local guide, Mai Honda. Her knowledge of the area and its history is outstanding. We learned a lot about the history of Matsushima including its famous samurai, Lord Date. She is also very flexible with the itinerary, customising and adapting it to suit the wishes of her clients. The tour from Sendai to Matsushima was well paced and smooth, aided by her expert knowledge of transportation and eating places. She knew which boat tour to take in order to avoid the crowds and which restaurant served the best sashimi and sake. We can say that this was the best tour by far we’ve had in Japan and also the best value. Highly recommended.
A private tour was a...
jane h,
Jul 31, 2025
- Viator
5.00
A private tour was a great experience... like travelling with a friend. Mai proudly showed me around Matsushima. It is beautiful. Mai was a perfect host... so easy to talk with
Beautiful Matsushima!
Sandra M,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had a memorable day with Mai-san, who took us on a 40-minute train ride from Sendai Station to Matsushima and showed us around the islands while teaching us about the history of Matsushima and more generally about the Tohoku region. She also took us to a beautiful temple / garden and on a relaxing 50-minute cruise where we were able to see some interesting small islands up close. Matsushima was just as beautiful as everyone had told us it was, and the whole trip went smoothly.
Great tour!
Brian C,
Oct 3, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Loved the tour we had with mai! She knows all the hotspots the tourists don't know and can tell you a lot about the history of the monks, samurais, the temples and the islands. We had a lot of fun and talked the whole time. Around lunchtime we really wanted to taste gyutan, so she looked for restaurants that served it. Would 1000% recommend her!