The Outings page will introduce places to visit in the Tohoku region. We want to introduce places that are not featured very much in the normal tourist publications. If you know of places you would like to recommend, please send us information by clicking here.
Links to pages that provide information on the most well-known tourist spots are provided on the right.

Matsushima is a famous tourist attraction in Japan, and every weekend loads of tourists go there and ride on the sightseeing boats. However there is a more relaxed and enjoyable way to experience the delights of Matsushima Bay. You can take a ride on one of the ferries that service the communities that live on the Urato Islands in the bay. There are four inhabited islands, Katsurashima, Nonoshima, Houjima and Sabusawajima. The islands are all very small, and home to small communities of fisherfolk and farmers. They have nice scenery and attractive coastlines, with swimming beaches on Katsurashima, Nonoshima and Sabusawajima in the summer. It is possible to spend a day hiking across all of the islands, picking up ferries for the stretches of water between them. There are also quite a few small inns to stay at if you feel like doing an overnighter. The ferries leave from the Marine Gate ferry terminal in Shiogama. Ferries depart at the following times : 7:15 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am (April to September, weekends and holidays), 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm. The fare is 500 yen or 600 yen depending on the destination.