Matsushima boasts what has been described as one of the most beautiful three views in Japan. Tourists enjoy the scene consisting of lots of small rocks and islands from the sea and from the hilltop, from which Matsuo Basho also has been said to view the scenery and composed a haiku poem. We were going to climb the hill first, but seeing a sightseeing boat was just about to sail out and was not crowded, we got on board the boat first. The weather was good and the sea was calm. We took our seats on the 2nd floor and enjoyed comfortable cruising with a non-alcoholic beer and some nibbles. When our boat came back, a considerable number of tourists were waiting for boarding. We were lucky to ride on an earlier boat. The next destination was the top of the hill dominating Matsushima Bay, but we dropped in at Zuiganji Temple, the national treasure of Japan. I'll write about the temple in the next article.
（北海道・東北旅行記／３月３１日）
松島の観光では近くの丘から島々を眺めるのと観光船乗船が勧められている。松尾芭蕉の気持ちを感じようと高台へ登るつもりでいたのだが、観光船が空いていたためまず観光船に乗ることにした。眺めの良い２階席に陣取り、つまみとノンアルビールを買い求め、のんびりと１時間ほど観光船からの眺めを楽しんだ。天気は良く、波は穏やかで、説明を聞きながら快適なクルージングとなった。船から下りるときには観光客の長い列ができていた。先に空いている船に乗船できて運が良かった。
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