Michinoku Coastal Trail - Northern Section (Group Self-Guided) (2024)

Make your way to the starting point of Hachinohe. You can take a bullet train from Tokyo on the Hayabusa Line (for Shin-Aomori), with trains running approximately hourly and the journey taking just under 3 hours. From Hachinohe station, it’s an easy change to the local Hachinohe line, getting off at Hon-Hachinohe station.

Your accommodation is located in a convenient part of town and after dropping off your luggage, you may like to explore the nearby Hachinohe Portal Museum, which has permanent displays of the local culture, nature and history of the area. If you’re an art lover, you may also like to visit the Hachinohe Art Museum, though be aware that displays are typically only noted in Japanese. Less than 2% of international travellers currently visit Tohoku so you will find this to be a very authentic experience and English isn’t widely spoken.

At 5pm, meet the other group members in the hotel lobby for a tour orientation. You may then like to treat yourself to an authentic dining experience at one of Hachinohe’s traditional Izakaya eateries. Wander through the quaint old side alleys, where hidden culinary gems await. Indulge in local delicacies and savour the unique ambiance of these time-honoured establishments.

Meals: n/a

Start the day with an early rise and short train ride to the Tatehana Wharf Market. This is a very popular local market, with good reason. There are approximately 300 stalls stretching over about 800m. It is a wonderful experience to stroll through the market, sampling as many of the delicious goods on offer as you can fit in. You’ll find delicious skewers, dumplings, seasonal fresh fruit, bakery items and coffee. There are also stalls selling fresh produce, and street performers. You’ll be able to select some tasty items to bring with you for morning tea and lunch for the day’s hike ahead.

From the market, you’ll re-board the local train on to Same (pronounced Sah-meh) station. It’s a short walk from here to the Sanriku f*ckku National Park and the Kabushima Shrine, the northernmost point of the Tanesashi Coast and the official start (or end) point of the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Hachinohe is known as an important industrial fishing port and for centuries local townspeople have visited the Kabushima Shrine to pray for good luck and for success in their business and fishing. The area all around the shrine is also a breeding and nesting ground for the black-tailed gulls (late February to August). After exploring the shrine, a brief walk alongside the road leads to the Ashigezaki Viewpoint. This is a great lookout point that was also used as an observation post during WWII due to the great views along the coastline. You’ll also find here a cafe that is said to have some of the best ice cream in the region.

This is an easy part of the trail and from spring to autumn, various wildflowers are in bloom, making it particularly picturesque. You’ll soon reach Osuki beach, a long stretch of sand. Depending on the weather and conditions, you may like to have a dip to freshen up.

Continuing on, you’ll pass by some fishing huts shortly before entering into the Yodo Pine Grove, a beautiful walk through black pines, some of which are over 100 years old. Here, you’ll also find the Shira-Iwa or ‘White rock’, the colour of which varies depending on the season as it’s a nesting spot for the Japanese cormorants. This is a really picturesque section of today’s walk.

Coming out of the pine grove, you’ll arrive at the Tanesashi Coast Natural Lawn, where you’ll find your accommodation for the evening. Until the mid-50s, horses grazed on this grassy stretch of the coast. After checking in for your glamping experience, the nearby Tanesashi-Kaigan Information Centre is well worth a visit to learn more about the unique eco-system along this coastline. Later you’ll take a short drive to a lovely onsen (hot spring facility), tucked away in the nearby mountains. A perfect way to unwind after a great day’s hike.

This evening you’ll have a very special treat with your own chef cooking and preparing the meal at the glamping retreat, after which you can relax, gazing up at the stars and listening to the sound of the waves.

Note: there is a shower facility located behind the Tanesashi-Kaigain information Centre for tomorrow morning.

Meals: D

Following a fresh breakfast, you’ll transfer about 1 hour south, skipping some longer road sections, before rejoining the trail in Iwate Prefecture. From today you’ll start to experience some more elevation as you move into a more rugged expanse of coastline. You’ll hike through a stretch of forest before reaching the Samurai-ishi rock slabs, which is a great place for a little break. You’ll then continue south along the trail, enjoying some great views until you reach the Kita-Samuraihama Campground where is a good spot to break for lunch.

Resume your hike towards the Yokonuma Viewpoint, offering picturesque panoramas of the coastline. You’ll then head into a valley with glimpses of the coast before ascending and hiking into a forested area with giant red pines. You’ll cross a small stream and soon rejoin the coast at a little fishing port before ascening once more into the forest.

The hike will finish today at the Itsukushima Shrine (the head shrine is located on Miyajima Island near Hiroshima). After exploring the shrine, our support vehicle/driver will meet and transfer the group to our accommodation.

Relax and soak in the onsen before enjoying a dinner at your accommodation, capping off a day of exploration along the captivating coastline.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, there is a short transfer to Fudai Station where you’ll begin today’s walk. Some parts of the walk will take you along the road as you depart from this quiet, small town. Fudai has a remarkable history, evident as you pass by the school and the impressive 15.5m seawall, dubbed the ‘Miracle Floodgate’. This seawall played a pivotal role in protecting the town and its community from the devastating 2011 tsunami, as indicated by markings on the wall showing the height of the water at its peak. Continuing along the road, you’ll pass through several tunnels, while also enjoying breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

You may like to stop for morning tea at a small fishing port before continuing along the coast and taking in the views. Soon after leaving the fishing port, you’ll arrive at the Nedari Nature Trail, a picturesque path offering views akin to an open aquarium on clear, calm days. This spot is perfect for slowing down and immersing yourself in the natural beauty surrounding you. At the end of the trail is a short tunnel through the cliff, followed by a steep stair climb to reach the Kurasaki-so Observation Point,

From here you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation where you’ll have time to relax.

Option: If you’re interested, as today is quite a short hike, there is the option to continue on for an additional 9km (approx 5hrs) from the Kurasaki-so Observation Point to Kitayamazaki Lookout. Please let us know in advance if you would like this option as we will need to plan accordingly with the transfer driver.

Meals: B, L, D

This morning, your journey commences with a transfer to the Kitayamazaki Lookout, and the beginning of today’s challenging hike. While the distance covered may not be extensive, the ascents and descents over the next few kilometres will prove to be a challenge and slow you down. However, the rewards will be well worth the effort, as you’ll be treated to incredible views and stunning scenery along the way. Adequate training for this trail is crucial, especially for today which is considered the most demanding day of the entire trail.

The hike begins with a stair descent to the beach before heading inland to navigate through the forest. As you progress, you’ll encounter a series of stairs to ascend out of the valley, followed by a winding trail along the cliff-top. Further along, a shorter descent leads to another stretch of valley before another climb, followed by a descent down log stairs. Afterward, you’ll hike up and around the next ridgeline, before arriving at Tsukue Beach.

Continuing along, the trail will lead you across a series of beaches and through several tunnels. These hand-carved tunnels, though only a few hundred meters in length, are pitch dark, requiring a head torch for navigation.To reach one of the tunnels, you’ll need to walk around a large rock. On the rare occasion that the tide is too high, you’ll need to descend a ladder, which is a few metres high and is affixed to the rock. There’s a short stretch of easy rock-hopping before the last tunnel.You’ll then ascend from the beach, which includes two short, affixed ladders and a series of log stairs.

Returning into the forest, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views along the coast until reaching the fisherman’s huts at Tsukue-hama Beach. Following a well-deserved break, you’ll walk briefly alongside the road before returning to the trail and ascending log steps. You’ll enjoy beautiful views overlooking Tsukue-hama Beach before continuing onward to Aketo Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Rikuchu Bentenzaki Lighthouse, offering panoramic views to the north and south.

The trail rejoins the sea road and you’ll soon arrive at the Aketo Seawall Monument. It’s just a short distance further on to your accommodation.After checking in, take the opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate with a well-deserved soak in the onsen overlooking the ocean.

Meals: B, L, D

Following a hearty buffet breakfast you’ll embark on a short transfer further south along the coast, bypassing some longer road stretches of the trail, until you reach the Shiof*cki-ana Blowhole. This picturesque viewpoint offers a wonderful spectacle, where, if luck is on your side, you may witness the blowhole in action. Nestled beneath the blowhole is a sea cave, and when the waves are strong, water is propelled through the blowhole, reaching heights of up to 30m. Designated as a national natural monument, the blowhole is best experienced with a northeast wind and rough waves. From this vantage point, you’ll also see Hideshima Island, another designated natural monument, known as the largest habitat for the endangered Madeiran storm petrel.

Aftersoaking in the scenery, begin your hike which offers several ascents and descents with even more stunning vistas to admire. The trail meanders inland, crossing a stream and ascending out of the valley. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by spectacular trees, including pine, fir, maple, Japanese magnolias, and a giant bamboo grove, making for a truly enchanting hike until you reach the Takonohama Fishing Port. The final leg of the journey weaves along the cliffs and through a couple of tunnels, leading you to the picturesque Jodogahama Beach.

You may consider stopping at the resthouse near Jodogahama Beach for a leisurely lunch before exploring further. A little further along the coastal path, you’ll find the Jodogahama Visitor Centre offering additional insights into the area. If the weather is warm, you can enjoy a swim in the gorgeous, clear water. Alternatively, indulge in a relaxing soak in the onsen at your accommodation, allowing your tired legs to rejuvenate after a wonderful and often challenging hike.

The final dinner this evening, is a delicious buffet and if anyone is keen you can finish the evening off with a bit of karaoke.

Meals: B, D

After breakfast, you’ll depart the coastline with a 1.5-hour transfer to the city of Morioka. From here, you’ll farewell your driver before catching a bullet train. Again the Hayabusa Line is the best option, this time heading south to Tokyo – a journey of ~2 hours and 15 minutes.

Alternatively, you may like to extend your stay in Jodogohama if you would like to relax here or explore further. Please enquire if this is your preference.

Meals: B