Michinoku Coastal Trail

The origins of the Michinoku Coastal Trail can be traced back to the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that struck on 11 March 2011. The disaster had a profound impact on the coastal communities of the Tohoku region, causing extensive damage and loss of life. In the rebuilding and recovery efforts that followed, there was a desire to promote tourism and revitalise the local economy. The Michinoku Coastal Trail project emerged as part of these efforts, aiming to attract visitors to the scenic coastal areas while also providing opportunities for local residents to engage in tourism-related activities. (Existing trails were merged, creating this newly named full-length trail; sometimes you’ll hear people refer to a section of the trail by its original name.) The trail has rest areas, viewpoints and information signs to enhance the hiking experience. It officially opened in June 2019 but the pandemic kept most international travellers out until late 2022.

The Michinoku Coastal Trail is a demanding walk. We have graded it as 6–7 (Challenging to Strenuous). The trail takes hikers through a variety of terrain, including coastal cliffs, forests, remote beaches and rural communities. The trail has many steep ascents and descents, sometimes on stone and log stairs, which can be covered with moss and leaves. While the trail is designed to be accessible to a wide range of hikers, it is best suited to those with a solid level of physical fitness who are confident hikers with multi-day trekking experience.

The Michinoku Coastal trail can be hiked year round, however the weather and scenery do vary greatly. Mid-March to mid-June (spring) are great times to walk this trail. Flowers in bloom add wonderful colour to the diverse landscapes and the weather is generally mild, making it comfortable for hiking. September to mid-November (autumn) also offer pleasant temperatures and the changing colour of the leaves provides a stunning backdrop. In the winter months, snow can impact the ease and enjoyment of hiking.

The months that generally have the highest amount of rainfall are June through to September and these months are also the warmest. Hiking in July and August is really not recommended due to the heat, humidity and rainfall. Additionally, if hiking in the summer months you may experience the Yamase wind. This is a cold and moist northeasterly that lowers the temperatures along the coastline, which is nice for hiking, but the low cloud also blocks the views.

The Michinoku Coastal Trail passes through the Tohoku region of Japan, known for its diverse culinary traditions and local specialties. The traditional Japanese food served along the trail is truly a real highlight. Seafood is prominent, given the trail’s location and the rich fishing grounds off the coast. Hittsumi (dumplings in a miso-based soup) is a local specialty in Iwate Prefecture and in the mountainous regions along the trail, you might find dishes featuring sansai (wild mountain vegetables). You can also look forward to Japanese barbeques with top-quality Wagyu beef. There are convenience stores and vending machines in some towns along the trail where you can buy snacks and drinks.