Sightseeing Boat Ride: Oku-Matsushima Sagakei Gorge

Sagakei Gorge is, along with Iwate Prefecture’s Geibikei Gorge and Oita Prefecture’s Yabakei Gorge, one of Japan’s Three Great Gorges. Located around the jutting southeastern peninsula of Oku-Matsushima and Miyato Island, contrary to Matsushima Bay’s feminine seascape, Sagakei Gorge continues to astound and move spectators with its panoramic masculine, rough cliffs.
A standout is the unusual husband-and-wife pair of islands, Byobu-jima and Misago-shima, carved by winds and erosion from the violent waves and storms of the Pacific Ocean. In stark contrast to the rough landscape, the gentle visage of seasonal flora such as wild lilies and Sekkoku orchids growing from bare rocks is a delight to behold.
Please enjoy the scenic beauty while listening to the captain’s commentary on this adventurous voyage.

Photographs courtesy of Higashi Matsushima Kanko, Inc.

Details

Plan Price

●Sagakei Gorge Course (Open Sea Course)
Adults (Middle school age and above): ¥2,100
Children (Elementary school age): ¥1,600
*Cost per person for groups of 3 or more

●Inclement Weather Substitute Course
Adults (Middle school age and above): ¥1,600
Children (Elementary school age): ¥1,100

*A 10% discount applies for groups of 20 or more.

What's Included: Boat ride fee, handling fee

Not Included: Transportation costs, personal expenses

Set Dates

Year-round

[Operating Schedule]
April – September 8:45 am – 4:00 pm
October – March 8:45 am – 3:00 pm

*This program is available on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays, excluding dates listed below. However, desired dates may be unavailable depending on reservation status and weather on the day. Please inquire in advance.
*This program will be offered in future years as well.

Excluded Dates: This program is not available during the Year-End and New Year Holidays, and in times of inclement weather.

Time Length: Approximately 1 hour

Meeting Place & Time

[Meeting Place]
Aomina (5-1 Miyadogawara, Higashi Matsushima, Miyagi, Japan 981-0412)

[Transportation Access]
•From JR Senseki Line Nobiru Station, about 10 minutes by taxi
•From the Sanriku Expressway Naruse Oku Matsushima Interchange, about 15 minutes by car

[Meeting Time]
Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Map

Min. # of Participants: 3 adults

Max. # of Participants: 10 people
*For reservations over 10 people, please consult when making a reservation

Supported Languages: Japanese
*In the event support for a language other than Japanese is required, please come accompanied by an interpreter.
**As the boat captain uses a microphone to guide and provide commentary, it may be difficult to hear an interpreter due to the overlapping voices. Therefore, we recommend using an earbud guide.

Plan Details: Sagakei Gorge is, along with Iwate Prefecture’s Geibikei Gorge and Oita Prefecture’s Yabakei Gorge, one of Japan’s Three Great Gorges. Located around the jutting southeastern peninsula of Oku-Matsushima and Miyato Island, contrary to Matsushima Bay’s feminine seascape, Sagakei Gorge continues to astound and move spectators with its panoramic masculine, rough cliffs.
A standout is the unusual husband-and-wife pair of islands, Byobu-jima and Misago-shima, carved by winds and erosion from the violent waves and storms of the Pacific Ocean. In stark contrast to the rough landscape, the gentle visage of seasonal flora such as wild lilies and Sekkoku orchids growing from bare rocks is a delight to behold.
Please enjoy the scenic beauty while listening to the captain’s commentary on this adventurous voyage.

Course Details

① Reception
Please go to the register at the “Aomina” tourism center for reception. The ride is approximately 1 hour, and there is no restroom on board, so please use the facilities before boarding.
② Oku-Matsushima Sagakei Gorge Sightseeing Boat Ride
From aboard you can view Sagakei Gorge, one of Japan’s Three Great Gorges. Thanks to the smaller size of the boat, you can get close to the islands, and enjoy the impressive rocky landscapes. Hearing the captain’s commentary is one major appealing point.
The boat may go at high speeds at certain points during the voyage. Please enjoy the adventurous sightseeing tour!
③ Shopping
After the boat ride, you can enjoy shopping for souvenirs at Aomina Tourism Center. You can buy everything from local specialties and seafood to folk crafts.

Meals
Attached to Aomina Tourism Center is Aomina Shokudo, a restaurant featuring an abundance of local specialties and seafood. For reservations, please contact the Miyagi Tourism Federation in advance.
[Aomina Shokudo]
Business Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (last order: 2:30 pm)
Closed: Every Tuesday and Wednesday

Necessary When Making a Reservation: 1. Desired boat ride date
2. Name of representative guest
3. Representative’s contact information on day of ride
4. Representative’s email address
5. Number of guests
*In the case of an accompanying interpreter, please include the interpreter’s contact information

Other (Notes): – As it is standard to operate the boats at full capacity, please advise that depending on the number of participants, your party may be paired with another group.
– There is a chance that guests may develop seasickness due to the movement of the boat. Guests who feel uneasy about their physical state are asked to consider taking medication for stopping motion sickness, and to take it easy and not over-do it.
– In the case of inclement weather on the day, rides may be cancelled, and if so we will contact the provided emergency contact phone number or email address with the information. In the instance of accompanying interpreters, we will also contact them via the provided contact information.

Cancellation Policy: No cancellation fee
*For the sake of safety, there may be instances of sudden cancellation of boat rides due to weather. Under such circumstances, all fees will be refunded.
**The course may be subject to change due to weather, in which case the fees will be determined based on the revised itinerary.

Closing Date: 1 month prior to desired date
*Depending on availability, last-minute reservations may be possible

Operating Company

Higashi Matsushima Kanko, Inc.
Address: 5 Shinmiyama, Ono, Higashi Matsushima City, Miyagi, Japan 981-0303
Tel: +81-225-86-1511 Fax: +81-225-86-1545

*For inquiries regarding Sightseeing Boat Rides (Oku-Matsushima Sightseeing Boat Information Center)
Tel: +81-225-88-3997
Business Hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm (all year round)

Inquiries: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Federation, Public Interest Incorporated Association
Address: Miyagi Prefectural Office 14th floor, 3-8-1, Honcho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan 980-8570
Tel: +81-22-221-1864　Fax: +81-22-211-2829
Email: dmo@miyagi-kankou.or.jp 　
Business Days: Monday to Friday
Business Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm (JST)