Photo by Anh-Duc Dang

Photo by Anh-Duc Dang

  • Matsushima Bay, along with Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Itsukushima in Hiroshima, is known as one of the Three Views of Japan. Trying to take in the best views of the bay, many people view it from high ground or take a sightseeing boat tour. But there is another option that not many people know about: getting a bird's eye view of the bay by soaring over it. Takeshige Yamaya, a three-time paragliding national champion, offers tandem paragliding experiences launching from nearby Shobutahama Beach.

    The paragliding experience lasts around twenty minutes and provides the most panoramic views you can possibly get of the area. To the south, Sendai City and even Mount Zao are visible. To the north, nearly all of Matsushima's 260 pine islands are visible. Viewed from above, the water takes on a translucent blue-green color, making the scene even more stunning. Mr. Yamaya also serves as a knowledgeable airborne tour guide. For example, he explained to me that the long black lines in the waters are actually seaweed "farms," seaweed being one of Matsushima's famous delicacies.

    Local Voice

    I highly recommend this tandem paragliding experience! The views up in the air are spectacular and as a frequent visitor to Matsushima, it was such a new and refreshing way to enjoy Shiogama and Matsushima Bay! In fact, I enjoyed it so much I made a video about my experience.

  • Last Update
    August 8, 2019

    Area Matsushima Bay

Details

ADDRESS

Nagahama, Shobutahama, Shichigahama Town, Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture

ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT

About 30 minutes by bus from Tagajo or Hon-Shiogama Stations. From Tagajo Station (多賀城駅) or Hon-Shiogama Station (本塩釜駅), board Gururinko (ぐるりんこ) bus bound for Shichigahama Kokusai Mura (七ヶ浜国際村). Alight at Shobutahama Kaisuiyokujo-mae (菖蒲田浜海水浴場前) bus stop. Tagajo Station bus timetable here. Hon-Shiogama Station bus timetable here.

ADMISSION

From ¥13,000

CREDIT CARDS

Accepted

LANGUAGES

English

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

No

HOURS

10:00–16:00 April–November

CLOSED DAYS

December–March & any time there is inclement weather

PHONE

090-8255-9187

OFFICIAL URL

http://g-resort.co/english.html