Michinoku Coastal Trail Tour 2027

•Arrive in Hachinohe and meet your guide at your hotel. Please enjoy a welcome dinner in downtown Hachinohe with your group.

Begin your adventure with a short train ride to Same Station, then walk to Kabushima Shrine, the northern gateway of the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Home to thousands of black-tailed gulls—most active from spring through late summer—the shrine is alive with sound and energy, making it the perfect place to start your journey.

From here, follow the breathtaking Tanesashi Coast, where sweeping Pacific views, vibrant wildflowers, and rolling green lawns create one of the most stunning stretches of the entire trail. At day’s end, arrive at the Tanesashi natural lawn area before transferring via private vehicle to Kuji City for our overnight accommodation.

Walking distance: 9.5 km | 4 hours

Elevation gain: 107m of ascent and 90 m of descent 

Arrive in the town of Fudai, renowned for its remarkable story of survival. During the 2011 tsunami, a massive floodgate shielded the town center from waves as high as 20 metres (66 feet), saving countless lives.

Today’s hike begins at Nedarihama Port and follows the coastline past the Kurosaki Viewpoint before continuing on to the dramatic Kitayamazaki Cliffs, one of the most spectacular landscapes along the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

As this is the longest hike of the trip, we will return to a local inn in the evening, where you can relax in the hot springs bath and enjoy a local dinner.

•Walking Distance: 12.5km | 5 hours

•Elevation gain: 891 m of ascent and 740 m of descent 

Begin the day with a visit to the beautiful natural caves at Ryusendo in the area of Iwaizumi.

After this, we will transfer to the town of Tarō, a place deeply marked by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. We will start our hike at the Masaki lookout and hike down to the town of Taro.

Here you will learn about the community’s experiences and resilience. We will walk past the dramatic rock formations of Sannoiwa to the poignant ruins of the Tarō Kanko Hotel, preserved as a reminder of the disaster. This section of the journey provides both powerful natural scenery and a meaningful insight into the history of the Sanriku Coast.

•Walking Distance: total 6 km

•Elevation gain: 255 m of ascent and 240 of descent 

Begin the day with a breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the Shiofuki Blowhole. From here we will follow the Michinoku Coastal Trail as it winds through mixed forests and along rugged stretches of coastline. The path reveals striking contrasts: sheer cliffs plunging into the ocean, tranquil hidden bays, and small fishing hamlets that embody the rhythms of life by the sea.

Your walk culminates at the stunning white rocks of Jōdogahama Beach, one of the most iconic landscapes of the Sanriku Coast. Tonight, settle into a traditional Japanese-style hotel where you can relax and unwind after the day’s explorations.

There is an option to do sea kayaking in the afternoon today at Jodogahama beach, or return to the hotel to relax.

At dinner time we will enjoy a traditional dance performance by some of the local folk-lore dancers.

•Walking Distance: total 6.5 km

•Elevation gain: 479 m of ascent and 555 of descent 

Today’s walk takes you to the easternmost point of Japan’s main island, a dramatic stretch of coastline leading to the Todogasaki lookout, where sweeping views of the Pacific unfold.

The hike begins at Omoe Port, following rugged coastal paths and forested trails, before finishing at the Aneyoshi campgrounds.

From here, we transfer to the Otsuchi or Kamaishi areas, where you will relax at a welcoming seaside accommodation, the perfect place to unwind after a day of discovery on this iconic edge of Japan.

•Walking Distance: total 11 km

•Elevation gain: 700 m of ascent and 700 of descent 

Today you will follow the Kuwadai Pass, a historic section of the old Hamakaidō route that once connected the port towns of Kamaishi and Ōfunato. This trail was used for centuries by travelers and merchants moving between coastal communities, and walking it today offers a unique window into the history and resilience of the Sanriku region.

The path winds gradually upward through quiet forests, where the sounds of nature replace the bustle of the coastal cities below. As you cross the pass, views open to rolling mountains and glimpses of the Pacific Ocean beyond, reminding us of both the remoteness and the connectedness of these towns. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the trail’s role in trade and communication, as well as its place in local memory.

In the afternoon, the descent leads us toward Ōfunato, where the pace shifts from exploration to rest. Here, you will settle into accommodation in the Ōfunato area, enjoying the comfort of a coastal town evening and a chance to relax after a day spent tracing the footsteps of history.

•Walking Distance: total 7.5 km

•Elevation gain: 500 m of ascent and 475 of descent 

This morning begins with a hike along the Goishikaigan Coast, one of Sanriku’s most scenic stretches. Starting from the striking Anatoshi-iso rock formations, the trail winds along dramatic cliffs and pine forests before arriving at the beautiful Goishi Beach, where the smooth black stones resemble the “go” stones of a board game.

After enjoying a local lunch, we transfer to Rikuzentakata for an afternoon walk from Mutsugaura Port to the rugged Kurosakisenkyo headland, a route that showcases sweeping ocean views and the resilience of a coastline shaped by both nature and history.

The day concludes with a transfer to Kesennuma, where we gather for a farewell dinner—a warm celebration of the journey shared along the Michinoku Coast.

•Walking Distance: AM 5km, PM 4.5km

•Elevation gain AM: 320 m of ascent and 360 of descent 

•Elevation gain PM: 253 m of ascent and 245 of descent 

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Ichinoseki station, an ideal hub for onward travel to your homebound destination. The tour concludes at Ichinoseki Station around 11:00 a.m