24.8.2018 - Day 9

Today we woke-up early, packed and headed for the Shinkansen from Ueno. First time taking it from here. We went to Sendai and then to Matsushima via a boat ride, so that I could see more of the islands. When we arrived we went to see Zuiganji temple which approach last time I was here was under reconstruction together with the main temple. This was finally finished and I could enjoy it in its full glory.

The Zuiganji temple was rebuild by Date Masamune, local feudal lord, as his family’s temple and now is considered as one of the treasures of Japan. Pretty much given is that it had beautiful artwork and woodwork. The temple is also unique in that it has many features of what you would find in a castle, like watchtowers or screeching floor, yet Date had a great sense for architecture and so these facets blend in nicely to create a great complex. Another interesting point is that Emperor Meiji spend a night at this temple when he was on an inspection of the northern provinces.

Next doors we visited Entsuin temple which has beautiful gardens, featuring both traditional Japanese and European aspects. Mausoleum of Date Mitsumune is also located here. For lunch we went to local restaurant and I enjoyed selected tempura from local produce and fish.

Due to the weather we decided to cancel our trip to Hakodate and instead went straight to Morioka for our hotel to rest early.

The hotel we are staying in, is one of many in the vicinity of the train station that caters to traveling office workers. It is cheap and straight forward. The restaurants around though are a mix of Izakayas, cheaper restaurants and more expensive establishments.

There was a magnitude 2 earthquake at night which I got to experience. So I finally got my experience of an earthquake. If I was to describe it it felt like the bed was jelly that someone is lightly pushing around to see how it will behave.