Three Views of Japan
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Itsukushima_torii_distance.jpg
Itsukushima_torii_distance.jpg
The view of the floating torii at Itsukushima Shrine is one of the Three Views.
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MatsushimaModified.jpg
MatsushimaModified.jpg
Pine-clad islands decorate Matsushima Bay.
The Three Views of Japan (日本三景 Nihon sankei) are the canonical list of Japan's most famous sights, somewhat akin to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The list is usually attributed to scholar Hayashi Razan, who first listed them in 1643.
The Three Views are:
- Matsushima Bay, Miyagi prefecture
- Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima prefecture
- Amanohashidate, Kyoto prefecture
Modeled on this listing a large number of other "Three Great X" lists have been devised. Next best known, perhaps, are the Three Famous Gardens (三名園 Sanmeien), namely:
The Three Castles of Japan are