Michinoku Coastal Trail: The premier hiking trail of Tohoku

The Michinoku Coastal Trail, also known as the Tohoku Pacific Coast Nature Trail, is a very recent hiking trail, opening in 2019. The project came to be after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which hit Tohoku particularly hard, and the four prefectures crossed by the trail (Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima). It was therefore decided to merge the region's national parks and create a route inaccessible by car that would allow visitors to discover the impressive landscapes of the Pacific coast. The Michinoku Coastal Trail passes through Sanriku Fukko National Park, with its picturesque cliffs, unforgettable beaches and lush forests.

Contents

The Pacific Coast Trail

A trail marked by the 2011 disaster

The best time to hike the trail

What to see on the trail

Our recommended segments

Practical information

The Pacific Coast Trail

The 1025 km Michinoku Coastal Trail starts in the town of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, at the Kabushima Shrine, and ends in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture. It runs along the east coast of the main island of Honshu and is one of Japan's ten long-distance nature trails.

Michinoku Coastal Trail + points:

• Much of the route is juxtaposed with express train or bus lines (JR Hachinohe Line, Sanriku Line, Ofutano Line), making it easy to get around quickly between key points on the trail!
   
• Numerous hotels, campsites, and inns are located along the route, making it easy to find accommodation along the way!
   
• The trail passes through a multitude of villages, where you can discover stores selling local specialities, as well as restaurants and konbinis! For some sections of the trail, you don't even need to carry meals, as you'll be passing through villages!
   
• There are six information centers along the way, giving you all the information you need to make your stay as enjoyable as possible! 
   
• Check out the 198 stamps scattered around the trail's landmarks. 
   
• The Tohoku Shinkansen (high-speed train) from Tokyo passes through Hachinohe, the starting point of the trail, as well as Sendai further south. In the middle of the trail, you can reach Tokyo via Morioka or Iwate-Numakunai.

A trail marked by the 2011 earthquake

The trail was created following the 2011 earthquake on the Pacific coast of Tohoku, which resulted in a tsunami. The East Pacific coast of the Japanese archipelago was hard hit by the tsunami, which caused most of the material damage. This hiking trail was therefore an opportunity to pass on the history and educate travelers about the events, enabling the prefecture to rebuild and welcome back visitors. You can pass the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum, the Tsunami Memorial Park Nakanohama, or the Fudai sluice gate, which saved the eponymous village and its inhabitants from the flood.

As well as offering breathtaking scenery, local commerce flourishes in this part of Japan. There are many delicious local products to discover! Learn more about the culture and local food of the small towns you'll pass through, which will add to the charm of your stay! What's more, this quieter, more rural Japan makes it easier for you to mix and chat with the locals, who will teach you a lot about the region.

What to see

The Michinoku Trail is packed with places to see, from landscapes to small temples and shrines in the midst of nature, and places steeped in the history of the 2011 disaster. Here's our selection of must-see places!

• Jodoga-hama Beach

Located on the coast of Miyako, in the middle of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, this beach is one of the most beautiful on the main island, and indeed in the whole of Japan! Its mythical landscape of clear azure water and towering white rock formations makes this beach a must-see stop on the trail! Listed as one of Japan's 100 beaches and bathing places, Jodoga-hama beach is a splendid spot surrounded by pine trees. You can even go kayaking, or take a boat trip!

Where? Miyako

• Kitayamazaki Cliffs

The Kitayamazaki Cliffs are one of the most emblematic spots on the Michinoku Coastal Trail. Also known as the "Alps of the Ocean", these 200-metre-high cliffs offer spectacular views of the ocean and rock formations cloaked in vegetation. There are several viewpoints along the trail from which to admire this breathtaking landscape. The cliffs stretch over 8 km of the archipelago's east coast, and are part of Sanriku Fukko National Park.

Where? Tanohata

• Unosu Cliffs

Next to the Kitayamazaki cliffs are the equally spectacular Unosu cliffs. You can admire the waves of the Pacific Ocean breaking on the large rocks, and the lovely rounded shapes of these vegetation-covered cliffs. The area is also home to many bird species, including the cormorant.

Where? Tanohata

• The Goishi Coast

The name Goishi comes from the go game stones, which resemble wave-polished rocks. It is the Kaminari iwa (Thunder Rock) that makes this absolutely heavenly place so special. In fact, Japan's Ministry of the Environment has named it one of the 100 natural sounds of Japan, for the characteristic sound of waves breaking on the rock.

Where? Ofunato

Our recommended segments

We suggest various itineraries along the Michinoku Coastal Trail. Please note, however, that these are not the only options available, and that there are a multitude of possible routes ! Here, our few itineraries suggest a starting point, an end point and the various key points to discover along the way. Please note that the maps presented here do not show the actual route of the trail. Visit Michinoku Trail Club website for details of the route.

Practical information and good conduct on hiking trails

Here are a few tips for exploring the Michinoku coastal trail :

• On the way, there are several establishments that let you rent bicycles, so take advantage of the opportunity to cycle part of the trail, since most of it is paved! 
   
• Don't hesitate to hire fishing boat excursions to cruise the Pacific and admire the cliffs and rock formations you've crossed from the sea! Our recommended locations are Miyato, Kitayamazaki Cliffs, Kinkasan, Urato Islands and Miyagi Islands. 
   
• Three train lines roughly follow the walking trail! So don't hesitate to make part of the journey by train, and select the segments that interest you for walking!

Our walking tips:

• Choose hiking boots, because even if the terrain is in fairly good condition, walking for hours in unsuitable footwear can end up being painful!
   
• The trail alternates between urban and wilderness areas. Tap water is drinkable in Japan, so you can fill your water bottles in any establishment (hotel, restaurant, information center...). What's more, Japan is the land of vending machines! You'll come across them frequently in urban and populated areas. 
   
• When you meet someone, always greet them by saying hello in Japanese "konnichiwa".
   
• Don't leave litter lying around, and respect nature.