BBQ, beer, and Matsushima Bay: We go to Japan’s most stress-free beer backyard throughout a visit up north

You’ve nonetheless bought a bit time left to take pleasure in gorgeous views of the ocean earlier than the rooftop beer backyard closes for the season.

Any customer to the northeastern metropolis of Sendai ought to ensure that to construct a go to to Matsushima into their itinerary. Solely a 20-minute practice experience from Sendai Station, Matsushima is historically often known as one of many Three Most Scenic Views (Nihon Sankei) in all of Japan. True to its identify, which accurately means “pine islands,” Matsushima Bay is dotted with a whole lot of small, rocky outcroppings lined in pine timber that guests can discover by way of a ship tour. There are many different issues to do as effectively, from exploring the close by temples (together with what is maybe my favourite temple in all of Japan, Entsuin) to purchasing and eating at locations that includes the native specialty–oyster.

Our travel-loving Japanese-language reporter Saya Togashi just lately discovered herself touring up north and determined to swing by Matsushima for a number of hours to soak up the surroundings one afternoon. Upon arrival, she was intrigued by the Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu guests’ advanced, which opened in 2020. It’s conveniently situated simply steps away from JR Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the Senseki Line and homes quite a lot of amenities together with eateries, memento outlets, hands-on crafting actions, and loads of locations to relaxation.

Her first order of enterprise was to seize a map and see which elements of the constructing she wished to discover. Most areas are free to enter, however a number of cost for admission.

The outside plaza known as to her, so she strolled via the beautiful area that was dotted with tables and chairs to chill out and eat exterior.

A nook of the location is devoted to the Matsushima Rikyu Shrine. She famous an indication that shared its standing as a “Holy Place for Lovers” and admired the encircling stone.

Really, the extra she walked round, the extra she famous totally different stone constructions all over the place. The pure stone of the panorama had been deftly integrated into the artifical landscaping as effectively. Specifically, this shallow basin designed to resemble a miniature model of the encircling bay and its islands caught her eye. The considerably uncommon construction on the precise was additionally constructed to pay homage to the middle portion of the enduring Matsushima Park Lodge constructed in the course of the Taisho interval (1912-1926).

Saya then made her approach as much as the rooftop remark deck, which prices a small payment for admission (600 yen [US$4.16] for junior highschool college students and older; 300 yen for youthful kids). The constructing isn’t that tall at solely three tales excessive, however since Matsushima doesn’t have any high-rise buildings, it affords up among the greatest and most expansive views on the town. There have been a number of {couples} stress-free within the backyard chairs as they gazed out over the water.

Apart from the views, one different factor concerning the rooftop deck had captured her curiosity–the presence of a beer backyard restricted to {the summertime}. The associated fee per grownup begins at 2,800 yen and contains the value of a BBQ-it-yourself meals plan and one drink. That seemed like a cut price to Saya in comparison with what some motels cost for related offers.

She may select from both a meat or seafood meals plan. The meat plan on the day of her go to included Sendai’s well-known gyutan (cow tongue), pork shoulder loin, pork stomach, sausage, and two sorts of greens, and she or he determined to go for that. The assortment of meals arrived on a tray in individually packaged containers and baggage.

As she was unpacking her meals, she couldn’t cease marveling on the gorgeous sights of the bay proper earlier than her eyes, particularly having fun with the sightseeing boats as they got here and went.

Sadly, she wouldn’t be capable of imbibe any beer since she had come by automotive, however she was decided to take pleasure in a Coke to the fullest as an alternative.

Earlier than lengthy Saya was grilling the meals on her small private BBQ. She had chosen essentially the most affordable meals plan that didn’t include rice, however that didn’t trouble her in any respect for the reason that first ground of the constructing bought native Matsushima specialties like oysters and sasakama [bamboo leaf-shaped fish cakes] that she may all the time bask in later. Consuming a bit little bit of this and a bit little bit of that was her favourite eating-while-traveling technique anyway.

Because the meat completed cooking, she gathered some seasonings from the desk and this tent, which is the place diners also can go for drink or range fuel refills as effectively.

As she sat again and ready to take her first chunk, all whereas being caressed by the mild sea breeze, she couldn’t assist however really feel that she had landed in heaven.

There was nothing particularly placing concerning the BBQ menu itself, but it surely had changed into a scrumptious feast with an beautiful environment.

She continued to gaze over the bay, watching the colour of the sky change slowly as she lazily ate her BBQ. The time of day had actually reached the magic hour.

It was most likely simply Saya’s creativeness, however the time truly appeared to be passing extra slowly. There weren’t any crowds at this specific second and nobody was dashing her out of her seat. There was barely even a noise coming from the encircling tables to distract her. It occurred to her that she had by no means earlier than been to a beer backyard with this type of reflective calmness. The quietness was a far cry from the noisy, bustling, and flashy beer gardens that she normally goes to within the Tokyo space, and so she savored the second for so long as she may.

This season’s beer backyard on Matsushima Rikyu’s rooftop remark deck is open via Sunday, September 1, in order of this writing, guests have solely about another week to benefit from the particular ambiance till subsequent yr. No matter what time of the yr you go to, nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the view from the roof and pattern a Hagi no Tsuki, one in every of our favourite meals souvenirs from Sendai, on a ground beneath.

Constructing data
Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu / 宮城県松島離宮
Deal with: Miyagi-ken, Miyagi-gun, Matsushima-machi, Matsushima Namiuchihama 18
宮城県宮城郡松島町松島字浪打浜18番地
Open: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (rooftop remark deck on the whole); 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch at beer backyard); Saturday evenings solely (dinner at beer backyard)
Period: The beer backyard is offered till September 1
Web site

All photos © SoraNews24
● Wish to hear about SoraNews24’s newest articles as quickly as they’re printed? Observe us on Fb and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]