The entire bay has been ranked among the "top three most beautiful sites of Japan" since the 17C. Behind the Historical Museum of Date, Shintomi-yama site is superlative at sunset. Saigyo Modoshi no matsu park, which literally means "the pine tree that convinced Saigyo to leave Matsushima", commands one of the finest views of the bay. Finally, Ogitani (on national route 45 from Sokanzan) and Sokanzan, "the hill of views" (from where it is possible to admire both the islands of Shiogama and Matsushima bay), are both extremely popular sites.