The Michinoku Coastal Trail, located in the Tohoku Region's northern Honshu area, connects the Pacific Coast between Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture and Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture.
Opened in 2019, it is the longest trail in Japan, with a total length of over 1,000 kilometers. Maintenance of the trail originally began as a reconstruction project for the severely damaged Tohoku coastal area after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011.
Here, we will introduce the Michinoku Coastal Trail and explain everything you need to know for your visit.
Photo courtesy of: NPO Michinoku Trail Club
The Michinoku Coastal Trail: Overview
Photo courtesy of: NPO Michinoku Trail Club
At a total length of 1,025 kilometers, the Michinoku Coastal Trail spans 28 cities, towns, and villages through four prefectures of the Tohoku Region along the Pacific Coast.
The route begins in Kabushima, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture in the north, and Matsukawaura, Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture in the south.
The main attraction of this lengthy trail is undoubtedly the breathtaking views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Gaze out at the scenery from a distance, or walk along the beach and feel the sea breeze.
From lush, natural forests to idyllic villages inhabited by locals, these trails will take you through various landscapes and terrains, offering the potential for new discoveries along each step of the journey.
Book Online â–¶ Michinoku Coastal Trail Hike With a Fisherman's Hotpot Lunch
Visit areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and experience the beauty and power of nature
Photo courtesy of: NPO Michinoku Trail Club
The Michinoku Coastal Trail began as a reconstruction project after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011.
The damage inflicted by the tsunami along the Pacific Coast of Tohoku had a great impact not only on people's lives and property but also on the natural environment.
In response, the Green Reconstruction Project was launched to promote the reconstruction of the natural environment.
The Michinoku Coastal Trail was spurred by an idea by Mr. Noriyoshi Kato, an advocate for an improved relationship between humans and nature by taking nature walks.
Through workshops for local residents to participate in regional reconstruction efforts, he established these routes by incorporating local information.
Photo courtesy of: NPO Michinoku Trail Club
From this, the Michinoku Coastal Trail developed into a trail that offered not only beautiful scenery but a closer look into areas that still retained traces of the damage left behind by the tsunami and earthquakes.
Visits to these earthquake remains and memorial parks offer a place where people can honor victims of the disaster, as well as continue to raise awareness of disaster prevent…
