Fukuurajima Island

Fukuurajima is one of the most rewarding stops in Matsushima Bay, the pine-clad archipelago counted among Japan's three most celebrated scenic views and an easy day trip from Sendai. While hundreds of the bay's islets can only be admired from sightseeing boats, Fukuurajima is one of the few you can actually set foot on, reached across a slender, 252-metre red-painted bridge that has become an iconic Matsushima photograph in its own right.

The island functions as a natural botanical garden. Left largely wild, its slopes and shoreline support around 250 species of plants - red pine, cedar, fir, camellias, wildflowers and seasonal grasses - threaded by a network of gentle walking trails. Interpretive signs identify the flora, and the paths lead to viewpoints, small pavilions and quiet rocky coves where the bay's characteristic pine-topped rock formations rise from the water. Birdsong, sea breeze and the lapping of waves replace the bustle of the mainland promenade, and the sense of stepping onto a miniature wild kingdom is immediate.

The red Fukuura Bridge, sometimes called the meeting bridge, is central to the experience. It was badly damaged in the tsunami of March 2011 and later repaired, and crossing it - for a small 200-yen toll that helps maintain the island - is a small ritual that separates Fukuurajima from the crowds. Halfway across, the views back toward the temples and hotels of the Matsushima waterfront and out across the scattered islets are superb.

The visiting experience is peaceful and unhurried. A full circuit of the trails takes under an hour at a relaxed pace, with plenty of benches for pausing to take in the seascape. The main paths are manageable for most visitors, though some coastal sections are uneven and involve gentle slopes and steps, so sturdy shoes are wise. A small rest house and restrooms sit near the bridge, and the mainland side has ample cafes and souvenir shops.

The island is at its best from late spring through autumn, when the greenery is lush and the weather kind; November brings patches of autumn colour among the evergreens. Summer is warm but the sea breeze keeps the trails comfortable, and camellias brighten the cooler months. Whatever the season, aim for a clear day so the famous bay views are at their finest.

Getting there is straightforward. The JR Senseki Line runs from Sendai to Matsushimakaigan Station in about forty minutes, and the bridge is a pleasant twelve-minute walk along the bayfront, past the temples of Zuiganji and Godaido that make Matsushima famous. Fukuurajima pairs naturally with a Matsushima sightseeing cruise and a bowl of the town's grilled oysters, making it an easy and memorable half-day escape into the natural side of one of Japan's most storied coastlines.