Exploring Sendai｜Episode 2: Matsushima & The Tanabata Festival in Japan 🎆

Exploring Sendai｜Episode 2: Matsushima & The Tanabata Festival in Japan 🎆

2011, that day The tsunami swallowed the airport By people’s strength It reconnected to the sky To Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Views Matsushima Fish Market Fresh tuna Colorful seafood bowls Traditional miso wrapped in shiso leaves Sanriku wakame Nanban miso; a must with gyutan Spicy with green chili Kesennuma, Japan’s no.1 shark fin town Oyster burger Award-winning tofu kamaboko National Treasure Zuiganji Temple The largest Zen temple in Tohoku Through the main gate, lined on both sides 400-year-old cedar trees After the Great East Japan Earthquake 300 cedar trees were cut down Sky opened Here the tsunami reached Cedars protected the temple To pass the memory on Kuri Hall Zen temple kitchen Reflecting Date Masamune’s aesthetics Matsushima mascot Nazuki-chan Promotes tourism & culture Zen gardens to feel the spirit Dry garden of white sand Swirls show ripples and waves Harmony of building and garden From the middle gate, a full view Through the gate Simple yet profound Japanese beauty A quiet space to calm your mind Sand patterns change with each visit 1688 bronze Six Jizo Turn and pray For prayers and memorials Daruma fortune slips Next door, Entsuji Temple A rainbow may appear… Garden of white sand and moss White sand = sea Moss & stones = islands Designed to mirror Matsushima scenery Experience making Buddhist beads Choose your stones Make your own unique beads Worn as a charm As amulets, each stone has meaning But trust your intuition the stone you need now You’ll find it naturally A rainbow appears… A bridge between heaven and earth A beautiful encounter To the rose garden Where East meets West Showing Masamune’s spirit of openness Mausoleum of Mitsumune, Masamune’s grandson Sankeiden Hall Built in memory of his wife Megohime Usually closed doors Behind them, a golden palanquin A miraculous moment Sky, light, and trees reflected Symbol of eternal bond Scent of moss Tall trees in silence A precious encounter Gratitude Warm sunlight filtering Zen garden of moss (Heart Garden) Shaped like the character “heart” A silent teaching to visitors Enmusubi Kannon Traditional Tohoku Kokeshi dolls Each carries prayers for happiness Warmth of wood and people’s wishes Memorial for the fallen Reminds us of life’s value Cave ruins Once used for monks’ training For burial and memorial Unagi mound Feeling hungry… Local flavors Tasuke, birthplace of beef tongue Spicy nanban miso is a must Add spice, more flavor On a cruise around Matsushima Bay Niohmaru Course Left side or right side?better view? Cruises on many routes 2nd deck with the best views Over 260 islands Oshima (correct spelling) 252m-long red Fukuura Bridge “Bridge of Encounters” Lucky spot for love Botanical garden–like Home to 250+ plants Island of 4 holes Waves sound like a bell Shaped like a seated figure With eyes, mouth, beret & pipe Godaido Hal Godaido Hall on the island Temple guarding Matsushima Amanohashidate in Kyoto Miyajima in Hiroshima Matsushima here Japan’s Three Views Sukashi Bridge – see-through bridge Love-Connection Bridge Cross with focus and respect Date Masamune rebuilt this hall Main deity: Five Great Wisdom Kings Buddha of protection and justice “大” playfully becomes “太” Open to public once every 33 years Next: 2039 Heading back to Sendai… Japan’s No.1 Tanabata Festival World’s largest “Paper & Bamboo” Festival Festival spread by Date Masamune 400 years of history Over 2 million visitors yearly In tune with the season Held Aug 6–8 every year Enjoy the decorated shopping arcades Competitions for the best displays Decorated with themes & characters Made by shops, schools & communities Mitakisan Fudoin Temple Temple of Fudo Myo-o Souvenir shops line the approach Sendaishiro disabled after a childhood accident With charm and mysterious power Shops he visited always prospered Revered as a “God of Fortune” Brings business success & good luck Enshrined here together Famous Zunda Shake Atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Aug 6 1 million paper cranes from across Japan Created the “Peace Tanabata” Never again — Hiroshima, A-bombs Messages in many languages Praying for world peace Hyotan-age (fried fish cake) Sells out fast – buy early! Brilliant bamboo decorations Seven symbolic decorations adorn the festival ①Tanzaku – Learning & calligraphy ②Kinchaku – Wealth & savings ③Kuzukago – Cleanliness & thrift ④Tōami – Good catch at sea ➄Orizuru – Family safety & long life ⑥Fukinagashi – Craft & weaving skills ⑦Kamigoromo – Sewing & protection Tohoku crafts: Kokeshi dolls “Mugen Castle” float Demon Slayer decorations appear Tanjiro : Look, Nezuko ! Fujisaki’s Tanabata Display Theme: “Crossing Goldfish in the Sky” Goldfish symbolize luck & fortune Linked rings show flowing water 78,000 paper cranes Cranes symbolize peace & long life Made by every school in Sendai Prayers for recovery from 2011 quake Each student folded one crane School names on white strips Beauty filled with heartfelt wishes Kanahebisui Jinja Pray for blessings, even from afar Since 1819 – Traditional Department Store Mitsukoshi’s lion statues Sendai Ikuei baseball cheer Curry Festival held here Lion in yellow turban – awesome ! Like falling stars 33m wide, 6m tall giant art Figure skater from Sendai Yuzuru Hanyu Sendai Tourism ambassador They survived the quake Strong supporters of recovery Comedy duo from Sendai Sandwichman Tanabata: Wishes on paper strips Peace to the world! With love from Japan！

🇺🇸 English (US)

Welcome back to our Japan Travel Vlog! 🇯🇵✨
In this episode, we explore Matsushima, one of the Three Most Scenic Views of Japan, and experience the famous Sendai Tanabata Festival! 🎋

Our channel brings you cinematic visuals 🎥 + relaxing music 🎶 with subtitles in multiple languages 🌍
For the best experience, watch with subtitles on 💬

Our channel brings you cinematic visuals 🎥 + relaxing music 🎶 with subtitles in multiple languages 🌍
For the best experience, watch with subtitles on 💬

🌸 Video Description 🌸

Hello everyone! 👋💖
This is Episode 2 of our Sendai Travel Guide ✈️
This time, we visited Matsushima Bay, one of the most iconic travel destinations in Tohoku, Japan 🌊🏞️

Here’s what we experienced:
🙏 Rosary-making workshop at Entsu-in Temple
🛳️ Matsushima Sightseeing Cruise – explore 260 islands scattered across the bay
⛩️ Zuigan-ji Temple, a National Treasure of Japan
🌿 The tranquil gardens of Entsu-in Temple

🍴 Food lovers, don’t miss this!
We tried gyutan (beef tongue) at Ajitasuke, the birthplace of this Sendai specialty 🥩 – so tender and flavorful, a must-try for foodies 😋💕

🎋 Finally, the highlight: the Sendai Tanabata Festival, one of Japan’s most famous summer festivals!
The colorful bamboo decorations swaying in the summer breeze 🌈💨 were absolutely breathtaking ✨

🌟 Stunning Matsushima Bay views + the vibrant Sendai Tanabata Festival = unforgettable summer memories in Japan!
Please enjoy the video until the very end 💖🙏

If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to Like 👍 & Subscribe 🔔 for more Japan travel content!
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4GwsMI2eMVK-g9NjNlN6g

🕰️ Chapters 🕰️

00:00 – 🎬 Opening
00:30 – ✈️ Sendai International Airport
01:00 – 🐟 Matsushima Fish Market (Let’s start our Matsushima adventure!)
02:48 – ⛩️ Zuigan-ji Temple
05:47 – 🌿 Entsu-in Temple (Rosary-making & Zuigan-ji Cave Ruins)
11:25 – 🍴 Senshintei Restaurant (Ajitasuke’s famous beef tongue!)
12:35 – 🛳️ Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise
16:05 – 🏯 Godaido Hall (One of Japan’s Three Scenic Views)
18:00 – 🎋 Sendai Tanabata Festival (Our Tanabata adventure begins!)
20:31 – 🙏 Sendai Shiro, the “God of Fortune” (Mitakisan Fudo-in Temple)
21:52 – 🎇 Sendai Tanabata Festival continues…

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