Matsushima is a small town on the east coast of Japan in Northern Honshu, about 30 minutes from the city of Sendai. Its bay (appropriately known as Matsushima Bay) consists of over 260 pine clad islets, and has been designated as one of Japan's three most scenic places. Matsushima is also home to Godaido Hall (a shrine rebuilt (!) in 1605; the original construction date was not specified on various internet sites but could be as early as the ninth century) and Kanrantei (a tea ceremony house that was moved from Edo (Toyko) to its present location in Matsushima in the 17th century).