Walking the Michinoku Coastal Trail

Day 1: Arrive in Hachinohe

Travel to Hachinohe, a coastal city in Aomori Prefecture. If time allows, explore Hachinohe, known for its fisheries and markets. The city contains several small museums, including the Hachinohe Art Museum, and public parks such as Tatehana Park overlooking the harbour. Miroku Yokocho is a well-known food quarter in the city centre.

• Accommodation: Hachinohe Grand Hotel or similar in Hachinohe

Day 2: Hachinohe – Tanesashi Coast | 9.5km

The walk begins at Same Station in Hachinohe and continues to Kabushima Shrine, a coastal Shintō site associated with local fishing traditions. The surrounding area is protected as a bird sanctuary, with colonies of black-tailed gulls nesting on nearby rocks and on the shrine’s roof during the breeding season (spring to late summer). The route continues along the coast to Ashigezaki Tenbōdai Observation Deck. Beyond lies Osuka Coast, the longest beach in northern Tōhoku that can be traversed on foot. The route ends at Tanesashi Coast, an area characterised by open coastal grassland and rock formations.

• Accommodation: Minshuku Ishibashi or similar on the Tanesashi Coast
• Walking for the day: 9.5km, ↑107m, ↓90m, 3-4h
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 3: Samuraihama – Itsukushima Shrine | 9.2km

Travel (approximately 35mins) by public transport or taxi (depending on accommodation location, payable locally) to the starting point of the trail at Samurai-ishi (Samurai Rock), a recognised landmark along Kuji’s coastline. Check out the natural saltwater pool, perfect for swimming during warmer months. Parts of the route follow clifftops and slopes with views of rock formations. The trail ends at Itsukushima Shrine, which has several torii gates and a view of Ushi Island. At the end of the route, take public transport or a taxi (14mins, payable locally) to reach the accommodation in Kuji, a relaxed coastal city with a long history of amber craftsmanship and a small working harbour.

• Accommodation: Kuji Grand Hotel or similar in Kuji
• Walking for the day: 9.2km, ↑395, ↓316m, 4h
• Meals included: breakfast

Day 4: Fudai – Kurusaki Viewpoint | 6.4/1.9km

Travel (approximately 24-35mins) by public transport or taxi (depending on accommodation location, payable locally) to the village of Fudai where there is time to explore the harbour area and surrounding coastal scenery. After time in Fudai, continue along a short section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail towards Kurosaki Viewpoint. This section takes you along wooded paths, over headlands and along small bays. A shorter walking option is available by taking public transport or a taxi to access a later point on the route and walking from there to Kurosaki Viewpoint. Return to Fudai by public transport or taxi (14mins, payable locally) from Kurusaki Viewpoint. A private demonstration of kagura, a traditional performance associated with Shinto, can be arranged on request and it takes place at the hotel.

• Accommodation: Minshuku Michiai or similar in Fudai
• Walking for the day: 6.4km, ↑240m, ↓96m, 3h or 1.9km,↑191m, ↓184m, 1h
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 5: Kurosaki Viewpoint – Kitayamazaki | 9.3/6.9/9.2km

Start the day by taking a taxi (14mins, payable locally) back to Kurosaki Viewpoint and start walking on the trail through mixed forests close to the coast. Sections of the route open onto viewpoints overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Towards the end of the route, the path descends through mossed slopes and forest before reaching Kitayamazaki Cape, an area within Sanriku Fukko National Park with designated viewing platforms above sea cliffs.

Two alternative options are available on this day. For the shorter option, take a taxi (approximately 25mins, payable locally) to the beginning of the route closer to the coast and continue for approximately 6.9km. The other route, which also begins at Kurosaki Viewpoint, is 9.2km but has lower ascents and descents. All options end at Kitayamazaki Cape.

After arriving at Kitayamazaki, there is time to visit the viewpoints and cafes before taking a taxi (19mins, payable locally) to the accommodation in the coastal village of Tanohata.

• Accommodation: Hotel Ragasō or similar in Tanohata
• Walking for the day: 9.3km, ↑324m, ↓341m, 4-5h or 6.9km, ↑145m, ↓153m, 3-4h or 9.2km, ↑233m, ↓240m, 4h
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 6: Ichinowatari – Jōdogahama | 13.3km

Travel by train to Ichinowatari Station (approximately 29mins, payable locally), where the walking route begins. The trail passes bays, coastal hamlets and rock formations typical of this section of the Sanriku coast. Several viewpoints are reached along the route, including Anegasaki Viewpoint and Jōdogahama Viewpoint, which overlook sections of Sanriku Fukko National Park. The national park status reflects the protection of the Sanriku coastline, volcanic rock formations, pine forests and coastal ecosystems. A shorter alternative of approximately 2h is available by incorporating public transport, with the walk starting close to Jōdogahama Viewpoint.

• Accommodation: The Park Hotel Jodogahama or similar in Jōdogahama area
• Walking for the day: 13.3km, ↑581m, ↓630m, 5h or 5.3km, ↑158m, ↓161m↓, 2h
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 7: Morioka and departure

Travel to Morioka by public transport (2h 20mins, payable locally). If time allows, explore Morioka before onward travel. Morioka is the capital of Iwate Prefecture and contains several museums, such as Morioka History and Culture Museum, green spaces and historical streets. Iwate Park, located on the former site of Morioka Castle, is known for seasonal foliage, including cherry blossoms in spring.

• Meals included: breakfast