Michinoku Coastal Trail Hiking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at Haneda or Narita Airport

Welcome to Tokyo! You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative to transfer to your hotel in Tokyo. Tokyo blends ancient tradition with cutting-edge modernity, offering a dynamic mix of historic temples, futuristic architecture, and world-class cuisine.
Overnight Location: Hotel Remm Hibiya Tokyo or similar
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Explore Yamada Bay (Self-Guided)

This morning your adventure begins with a bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka. Once here, a private transfer will take you to your hotel before you set out to discover the serene beauty of Yamada Bay, Japan’s northernmost designated marine park zone. The bay’s unique seascape—dotted with oyster and scallop rafts—and its role as a marine park offer a rare glimpse into the harmony between nature and local livelihood here.
Overnight Location: Umineko Onse, Yamada or similar
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 Trek to the Ushikorobashi Pass (Guided)

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling guided trek as you transfer to the coastal village of Koyadori. Starting from Kotani Fishing Port, follow a scenic forest trail through lush landscapes to Ushikorobashi Pass, then continue toward the rugged beauty of Aragami Beach, where a beginner-friendly via ferrata adds a touch of adventure.

Cap off your hike with a refreshing dip in the sea before heading back to your hotel for a well-earned afternoon of relaxation.
Overnight Location: Umineko Onse, Yamada or similar
Distance: 8 km, 4 hours, 300 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Trek to Cape Todogasaki & Tanesashi Beach (Guided)

Transfer this morning to Aneyoshi where today’s guided trekking adventure begins. First up is Cape Todogasaki, the easternmost point of Honshu, where the striking Todogasaki Lighthouse stands proudly atop rugged rocks. Discover the rich history of the lighthouse keeper’s life, immortalized in the film Times of Joy and Sorrow.

Then, wander through a serene forest of towering Japanese red pines and Mongolian oaks, following the peaceful coastline. End your journey at Tanesashi Beach, a serene coastal haven where lush forests meet the ocean, known for its natural beauty and recovering coastal flowers after the 2011 tsunami.

Transfer to Jodogahama where your guide leaves you as you check into your hotel.
Overnight Location: Jodogahama Park Hotel, Miyako or similar
Distance: 10 km, 5-6 hours, 100 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 Trek to Shiofukiana (Guided)

Spend some time this morning revelling in the sea breeze at Jodogahama Beach, then it’s time to meet your guide for an exciting day on the trail. Today’s destination is Shiofuki-ana (blowhole), a stunning sea erosion cave where powerful waves force seawater to spout up to 30 meters high through a hole in its upper rock face. If luck is on your side, you’ll witness this breathtaking natural spectacle—a dramatic display of nature’s raw power. Spend time soaking in the rugged coastal scenery and the mesmerizing sounds of crashing waves.

Continue to Rikuchu Miyako where you’ll check into your hotel.
Overnight Location: Kyukamura Rikuchu Miyako or similar
Distance: 8 km, 5 hours, 125 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Trek to Anegasaki Viewpoint and Tochinai Beach (Guided)

Lace up your boots for another exciting day of guided trekking. First up is the Anegasaki Viewpoint, where dramatic 60-meter cliffs and intricate rock tunnels create a stunning coastal landscape. From the viewing platform, spot black-tailed gull breeding grounds nestled among the offshore reefs.

Next, head to Tochinai Beach, a rare sanctuary for black-tailed gulls and a vibrant sea of bright pink flowers from April to August. Stroll along the shoreline as the blooming flowers create a breathtaking carpet of color, blending nature’s beauty with peaceful ocean views.
Overnight Location: Nagisatei Taro-An, Taro or similar
Distance: 13 km, 7 hours, 100 m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Tsunami Remains at Taro Kanko Hotel (Self-Guided)

Begin your day with a visit to the Taro Kanko Hotel, where the preserved tsunami damage offers a powerful glimpse into the Great East Japan Earthquake’s destructive force. Join the “Manabu bosai” guided disaster prevention workshop to see rare footage of the tsunami filmed from the hotel’s sixth floor—an unforgettable, eye-opening experience. Afterward, head to the stunning Sanno-iwa Rocks, where three massive, uniquely shaped rocks rise dramatically from the ocean, showcasing striking sandstone and conglomerate stripes. Let the soothing ocean breeze and breathtaking views provide a peaceful contrast to the morning’s powerful lessons.
Overnight Location: Nagisatei Taro-An, Taro or similar
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Trek to the Masaki Viewpoint (Guided)

Today you’ll enjoy a coastal trek through enchanting forests to the Masaki Viewpoint. From here, you’ll witness breathtaking panoramic views stretching across Miyako’s coastline, including the iconic Omoe Peninsula, Honshu’s easternmost point. From this stunning vantage, you can fully appreciate the vast expanse of the Michinoku Coastal Trail as it winds along the rugged shore. Continue to your next hotel Greenpia Sanriku Miyako, also in Taro.
Overnight Location: Greenpia Sanriku Miyako, Taro or similar
Distance: 12-13 km, 7-7.5 hours, 175 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 Experience the Magic of the Ryusendo Cave (Self-Guided)

This morning you’ll hop in a short transfer to reach Iwaizumi where you’ll check-into your hotel before heading out to discover the Ryusendo Cave. Here you’ll step into one of Japan’s top limestone wonders, where brilliant blue underground lakes sparkle with unmatched clarity. Explore 700 meters of this natural masterpiece, surrounded by stunning stalactites and an awe-inspiring underground world still full of secrets.

Later, indulge your tastebuds as you explore Ureira Street, home to Nakamatsuya’s famous chestnut confections, featuring exclusive seasonal treats made from prized Iwaizumi chestnuts.
Overnight Location: Ryusendo Onsen Hotel, Iwaizumi or similar
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 Trekking Cliffs and Coasts (Guided)

Your Day begins with a transfer to Moshi Coast where today’s adventure kicks off. First up, head for the dramatic Unosu Cliffs, where towering vertical rock faces offer breathtaking views and a thrilling sense of height above the sea. Stroll along scenic paths shaded by beautiful Japanese red pines atop the wide, flat cliff tops.

Then, explore the Koikorobe Peninsula, rich with fascinating Cretaceous fossils and cultural history from its Ainu roots. Finally, witness the powerful aftermath of nature’s force at the Haipe Coast, where a massive boulder displaced by the 2011 tsunami stands as a vivid reminder of the ocean’s might. You’ll soon reach your hotel, Hotel Ragaso where you can settle in for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel Ragaso, Tanohata or similar
Distance: 9 km, 7 hours, 150 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 Tsunami Monument Aketo Seawall & Kitayamazaki Viewpoint (Guided)

You’ll trek directly from the hotel today alongside your guide, starting with a powerful visit to the Aketo Seawall in Tanohata Village, where the broken structure and the two surviving red pines stand as a moving monument to the 2011 tsunami. Then, journey along the thrilling “Sea Alps” section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, where hand-dug tunnels carved through rugged cliffs lead you right to the edge of the sea—don’t forget your headlamp for this adventurous stretch!

Continue to the breathtaking Kitayamazaki Viewpoint, where towering cliffs carved by centuries of erosion have earned the nickname “Alps of the Sea.” Whether viewed from above or below, Kitayamazaki’s dramatic coastline—especially in the golden morning light—is one of Japan’s most unforgettable sights.
Overnight Location: Kitayamazaki Syakunage-so, Kitayamazaki or similar
Distance: 10 km, 7 hours, 150 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 Trek to the Anmoura Viewpoint (Guided)

Set out straight from your hotel this morning with your trekking guide, bound for the Anmoura Viewpoints. Perched atop Kurosaki at precisely 40 degrees latitude, Anmoura Viewpoint offers a breathtaking overlook of Iwate’s tallest waterfall cascading dramatically down a massive cliff face to the south. Just a short detour from the trail, this hidden gem rewards you with sweeping views and the thunderous beauty of Anmoura Falls—an unforgettable moment in nature’s grandeur!

Later, arrive at your hotel in Fudai where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight Location: Kokumin-shukusha Kurosaki-so, Fudai or similar
Distance: 10 km, 7 hours, 200 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 Bullet Train to Tokyo (Self-Guided)

This morning a private transfer takes you to Hachinohe Station where you’ll catch the bullet train to Tokyo. Once here, check-in to your hotel, then set out to explore this city’s vibrant fusion of ultramodern innovation and deep-rooted tradition. From world-class cuisine and eclectic fashion to rich cultural experiences and nonstop energy, Tokyo offers something unforgettable for every traveler.
Overnight Location: Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Shiodome, Tokyo or similar
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 Your Adventure Concludes in Osaka

Your adventure wraps up this morning following breakfast. Check-out of the hotel and a private transfer will take you to Haneda or Narita Int’l airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast