Plan your hike along Japan’s 1,000+ km
Michinoku Coastal Trail
Independent, first-hand routes, accommodation, transport, maps and practical planning information for international hikers.
Start planning your hike
Whether you’re walking for a day, a week or the whole trail, these are the essentials.
Routes & Itineraries
Find a walk that fits the time you have.
Explore routes → 02Accommodation
Find hotels, inns, guesthouses and other useful places to stay.
Find accommodation → 03Getting There & Around
Plan trail access, trains, buses and transport along the coast.
Transport guide → 04Map & Navigation
See the route, accommodation, campsites and other useful stops.
Explore the map →New to the trail? Start with the complete planning guide →
What is the Michinoku Coastal Trail?
The Michinoku Coastal Trail runs for more than 1,000 km along the Pacific coast of Tohoku, from Hachinohe in Aomori to Soma in Fukushima.
It passes rugged headlands, beaches, forests, fishing towns and communities shaped by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
You don’t have to walk the whole thing. Some of the MCT’s best sections work as day hikes, short trips or a week on the coast.
How long do you want to walk?
You don’t need to walk the whole MCT to experience it. Start with the time you actually have.
A Day
Tanesashi Coast, Jodogahama, Goishi Coast and other standout sections make excellent day walks.
Find day hikes →2–4 Days
Spend a few days on one part of the coast, working around accommodation and transport.
Find short hikes →5–7 Days
Link several sections together and settle into the rhythm of travelling along the coast.
Find longer routes →The Whole Trail
Planning the complete 1,000+ km journey? Start with the bigger picture, then build your trip section by section.
Plan the full trail →
Explore the trail map
See the trail route alongside accommodation, campsites, visitor centres, shops, onsen and other useful stops.
Use the map to understand what’s around you as you plan your trip, then check the latest official maps and route information when you’re on the trail.
More help with planning
Practical guides for the other decisions that go into an MCT trip.
When to Go
Seasons, weather and choosing the right time.
Read the guide →Packing
A practical starting point for what to bring.
Packing guide →Food, Water & Resupply
Food stops, water and the stretches that need more planning.
Food & water guide →Camping
Campgrounds, shelters and overnight options.
Camping guide →Budget
What an independent MCT trip is likely to cost.
Budget guide →Safety
Weather, tsunamis, navigation, wildlife and emergencies.
Safety guide →Bears
What to know about bear country along the MCT.
Bear guide →FAQs
Quick answers to common MCT planning questions.
Read the FAQs →
Walking the Michinoku Coastal Trail
A Practical, Independent Handbook for International Hikers.
It’s been in the works for some six years (!), but I’m happy to share that an English-language companion book for Michinoku Coastal Trail walkers will be coming soon.
For a day, a week or the whole trail, the book brings the practical side of walking the MCT together in one place. Routes, places to stay, transport, food, planning advice and the things that are much easier to know before you arrive.
An independent guide
Hi, I’m Robin. I’ve spent a lot of time walking the Michinoku Coastal Trail, and I still keep coming back.
This site is basically the guide I wish I’d had when I first started planning the MCT, with the practical information that can be surprisingly hard to find in English.
I’m also a board member of the Michinoku Coastal Trail Association, but MichinokuTrail.com is my own independent guide.
I hope it makes planning your hike a little easier.
A decade after one of Japan’s most deadly disasters, a region is reborn -
and it's home to one of the most unique hiking trails in the world.
“World’s Best New Coastal Trails” - Lonely Planet
”Best Trips to Take in 2020” - National Geographic
”World’s Five Best New Long-Distance Hiking Trails” - Explorers’ Web
Routes
Find out more about different parts of the trail, including videos of each trail section and recommended walks.
The Path Less Travelled
This TEDx talk explores what its like to walk the trail with a particular focus on “trail magic”, or the special encounters that walkers often have during their journeys.
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for latest updates, and make sure to join the Michinoku Coastal Trail International Facebook group!
