Michinoku Coastal Trail & Fukushima Coastal Trail Bike & Hike Tour
MCT HIKE & BIKE 5 or 7 DAY PACKAGE
BEYOND THE DISASTERS: A TRAIL OF NATURAL BEAUTY & RESILIENCE
Hike, cycle & kayak through the stunning Michinoku Coastal Trail, connect with the strength & stories of local communities.
DAY 1: Harmony in every encounter ~Cherishing the joy of fellowship ~
Your journey kicks off in the breathtaking Hachinohe City of Aomori Prefecture, where the Michinoku Coastal Trail unveils its stunning landscapes. Here, the sea meets the sky, & the spirit of adventure takes flight, just like the petrels that call this place home.
At Kabushima, our starting point, you’ll witness a rare & magical spectacle – petrels breeding in their only close-up nesting site in Japan. Every year, these resilient birds return, lay eggs, nurture their young, & take off once more, just like us, about to embark on our own incredible journey. As we stand on this sacred ground, let’s pray for safe travels over the next seven days, just as the petrels set off on their voyage.
From there, we hike into the heart of nature, arriving at the Tanesashi-Kaigan Natural Lawn, a place so surreal it feels untouched by time. Tonight, we’ll unwind in luxury tents under the stars, savoring a delicious coastal feast prepared by a local chef. As the ocean breeze carries the scent of adventure, we’ll share stories, laughter, & the warmth of Japanese coastal hospitality, forging connections that will last far beyond this journey.
Schedule
Meet at Hachinohe station === Michinoku Coastal Trail hiking Hachinohe section === Stay overnight at Tanesashi Glamping tents
DAY 2: Harmony with nature ~Embracing the harsh, yet abundant nature~
Today we will explore one of the most beloved sections of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, hiking through dramatic coastal scenery shaped by wind & waves over thousands of years. Along the way, discover stories of local resilience & the generations who have lived in harmony with this powerful landscape.
After lunch by the sea, enjoy Tanohata via cycling for a fresh perspective on the rugged coastline, followed by a short afternoon hike. The day ends at a seaside inn where you can relax, savor fresh seafood, & take in sweeping ocean views.
Schedule
Depart Hotel === Michinoku Coastal Trail Hiking Tanohata section 1 ・・・Lunch Break・・・Tanohata Geo cycling === Michinoku Coastal Trail Hiking Tanohata section 2=== Check in to Hotel
DAY 3: Harmony in the tsunami’s reality ~Regeneration of life & nature~
Day three invites reflection on the Great East Japan Earthquake & how the relationship between people & nature has evolved through recovery. The morning begins with a walk at Jodogahama, one of the coast’s most scenic locations. Once described as “a paradise of the Pure Land,” its beauty remains unchanged, offering a chance to view the landscape from the perspective of the living creatures that call it home.
In the afternoon, travel to Otsuchi Town for a powerful storytelling session with a local guide who moved here from overseas after the disaster. Through dialogue with residents, you’ll learn what happened on March 11 & how reconstruction – focused on human life – has also transformed local ecosystems. The day concludes with a stay at a local inn, where time & conversation continue into the evening.
Schedule
Depart Hotel===Michinoku Coastal Trail Hiking Miyako section — Local restaurant Lunch — Sea Kayak adventure ===Tsunami Storytelling Guide in Otsuchi town ===Check in to Horaikan Inn — Dinner & night activity
DAY 4: Harmony with the Souls of Our Predecessors
On day four, cycle along the Michinoku Coastal Trail by e-bike, passing through communities rebuilt after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Starting in Rikuzentakata, a city reconstructed from the ground up, you’ll see seawalls, raised land, & relocated neighborhoods – powerful symbols of recovery & human determination.
In the afternoon, enjoy a coastal picnic cruise in Koishihama, where conversations with local residents – including a fisherman & a woman drawn here by the sea – invite reflection on the delicate balance between people & nature. The day ends at a seaside lodging, where ocean views provide a quiet moment to reflect on the journey so far.
Schedule
Depart Hotel === TAKATA POTTER Cycling (includes Lunch Break) === Koishihama Picnic Cruise === Check in to accommodation
DAY5: Harmony with the sea ~Reflecting on the meaning of life~
On day five, explore one of the Michinoku Coastal Trail’s most unique routes, a peaceful island walk on Kinkasan, a sacred island off the coast of Ishinomaki. Known as the birthplace of gold in Japan, the island is home to Koganeyama Shrine & dramatic granite coastlines shaped by the sea. As you walk, you may encounter wild deer & monkeys, regarded as divine messengers & carefully protected.
This marks your final day on the Michinoku Coastal Trail. From here you can finish the tour in Sendai if doing a five day trip, or continue the journey travelling further south into Fukushima, carrying reflections on recovery & resilience into the next chapter of the trail.
Schedule
Depart Hotel === Breakfast at Kitakamigawa Terrace === Ayukawa Port ~~~ Michinoku Coastal Trail Kinkasan section ~~~ Ayukawa Port === Finish in Sendai for 5 day tour, or stay overnight in Natori area for 7 day tour
DAY6: Harmony with the invisible ~Striving to Reclaim Hometowns~
Over the final two days, you will walk the Fukushima Coastal Trail, reflecting on life after the nuclear disaster. In Futaba Town, where residents were unable to return for many years & few have come back even now, you’ll witness a landscape shaped by long-term evacuation. Compared with the areas visited earlier, the contrast between tsunami damage & nuclear disaster becomes clear.
Along the route, you’ll visit a museum to gain an overview of the nuclear disaster & engage in dialogue with young people from India who are working to help revive the town. Through the scenery & the voices of those living here, you’ll be invited to reconsider what “reconstruction” truly means & how hope is being shaped for the future.
Schedule
Depart Hotel === Fukushima Coastal Trail Hiking Futaba section === Fukushima Coastal Trail Hiking Tomioka section === Check in to J village
DAY 7: A Pledge to a New Self ~What Does Happiness Mean to You~
On the final day, cycle along the gentle coastline of Iwaki, the sea shimmering beside you as a quiet companion to the journey you’ve shared. As the wind passes, take time to reflect on the people you’ve met, the landscapes you’ve walked, & the moments that have stayed with you.
Along the Tohoku coast, where everyday life was once suddenly lost, each new day now carries quiet strength & hope. With gratitude for your time here, we send you onward carrying these reflections with you, until our paths cross again.
Schedule
Depart Hotel === Fukushima Coastal Trail Cycling Iwaki Coastal Road (Nanahama Kaido) === Finish at Iwaki Station
More Info
Duration : 5 or 7 days
Difficulty : Medium