Day Eight: Matsushima, Japan

On this mid-conference day, the organizing committee had arranged an excursion and banquet for the attendees. Without anyone knowing too many of the details of the afternoon trip, about 350 guests boarded eight or so tour buses, leaving for Matsushima.

Matsushima is a gorgeous town approximately one hour from Sendai, driving north east. A tale of the area describes haiku poet Matsuo Basho unable to compose a haiku about the place because he was so awed by its beauty that he could not find words to adequately describe it. Here, we visited Zuiganji, a Zen temple founded in the Heian period, 828. A ten-year project to restore and preserve the temple was completed in 1995, which also saw the opening of a wonderful art museum on the site.






The banquet followed in the nearby ritzy Hotel Taikanso. A many-course meal was served. Some traditional Japanese musicians and singers provided the entertainment. Beer, wine, and sake were freely flowing. My favourite dish of the night was the chowan mushi.