The Michinoku Coastal Trail (MCT) is Japan’s newest – and longest- hiking trail, through one of the country’s more remote and rugged regions.
The name of the coastal walk is a throwback to ancient times, when Japan’s north-eastern Tohoku region was referred to as “Michinoku” – meaning “end of the road”.
The Trail stretches more than 1,000 kilometers along the country’s northeast Pacific coast on the main island of Honshu, passes through four prefectures and 29 municipalities, offering the perfect mix of scenery, culture and cuisine.
Officially launched in 2019, it’s one of several projects aimed at drawing more tourists to the country’s Tohoku region, which was devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Though the Michinoku Coastal Trail is a few years old, the pandemic kept most international travelers out till late 2022.
What makes this trail different from the country’s many other epic hiking routes, is that it’s still relatively unknown – even in Japan.
There are two Michinoku Coastal Trail heads – the one in the north starts in Hachinohe City, in Aomori prefecture. The other is Soma City, in Fukushima prefecture in the south.
Walking the entire trail takes your average hiker between 40-50 days – a period too lengthy for many to manage.
Thankfully, the trail has many access points so there are opportunities to enjoy shorter hikes, while guided tours are also an option.
