Higashimatsushima City, adjacent to Ishinomaki City, was newly formed in 2005 through a merger. The city boasts numerous tourist attractions offering natural scenery. Otakamori, one of the four great views of Matsushima, offers well-maintained hiking trails, and from the Otakamori Observatory, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, as well as the Zao mountain range, Mount Ikoma, and Mount Kinka. Sagakei, one of Japan's three most beautiful valleys, boasts uniquely shaped islands such as Meganejima and Kaerujima. Takiyama, known for its cherry blossoms, hosts the Takiyama Cherry Blossom Festival in April. The southern part of Higashimatsushima City faces the Pacific Ocean, making it a thriving fishing area, producing a wide variety of seafood, including oysters, seaweed, clams, sea bass, and salmon.