Recommended Section Hike:
Kuji to Taneichi

Kuji to Taneichi Section Hike

Starting off in the town of Kuji, home to the renowned Ama women divers, this section traverses fishing villages, rivers, beaches and mountain passes, and features a memorable blend of blue waters and rugged rocky outcrops.

Start Point: Kuji City
End Point: Taneichi Station
Length: ~ 40kms
Time: Approximately 2 Days
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 890m Ascent, 870m Descent
Elevation Profile

Nestled on Iwate Prefecture’s Kosode Coast lies Kuji City - famous as the home to Ama women free divers, who have been exploring the region’s deep blue waters for centuries. Diving down to depths of 10m without oxygen tanks, the Ama divers brave icy temperatures as they search for sea urchin, abalone and seaweed. Kuji was chosen as the filming location for NHK’s hit TV series “Ama-Chan”, a piece chronicling the lives of these fearless divers. To find out more about the Ama and see them in castion, visit the Kosode Ama Center.

Fun fact: The Kuji area is also known for its amber production and is said to be one of the world’s largest amber mining sites.

If you’re curious about local cuisine or want to stock up before you head off for your walk, stop by the Michi-no-Eki (roadside rest area) Yamase Dofukan near Kuji Station, where you can find a range of treats.

From there, walk along the coast towards Moguranpia Aquarium, a local aquaraium that was destroyed by the 2011 tsunami, but made a triumphant return some five years later.

Proceed through a quiet village to Itsukushima shrine, a beautiful shrine with several torii gates and a pleasant view of Ushijima Island. Be sure to check out the wooden dragon and lion that have been masterfully carved onto the shrine's crossbeams.

From there, make your way up to the coast towards Yokonuma viewpoint, which offers a spectacular view on a sunny day (see photo above).

Follow the coastal path to Samuraiishi Rock, a large granite rock platform jutting into the sea, and then onwards to Kitasamurai-Hama Campsite. Set amidst Japanese red pine trees, the campground has picturesque views of the seashore and has wooden platforms for tents. In the summer, take a dip in the saltwater pool below, sculpted into natural bedrock. Stay the night here (Kuji - Kitasamurai-Hama campsite is approximately 15 kms), or continue onwards depending on how your legs feel and weather conditions.

**Note: If you do not have a tent, accommodation around Kitasamuraihama is extremely limited. A potential option for non-campers is to continue on to Rikuchi-Nakano (approx. another 5 kms ahead), and then get a train either back to Kuji or further north where there are more train options, but please make sure to check train times.

After the campsite, walk onwards to Koge River crossing.

Make sure to check the river level beforehand and avoid attempting this at night. The depth of the water may vary depending on seasonal rainfall; be careful and only cross when it is safe to do so. If necessary, opt for the detour around the river – it won't take much longer!

After crossing safely, head upwards toward Rikuchu-Nakano station and Uge Beach.

A lot of this following section is walking along quiet roads, but the views are pleasant. There are also train stations at relatively regular intervals, so feel free to hop on a train if your legs are tired.

Continue onwards along the coast until arriving at followed by Taneichi campground – an ideal spot for a break.

Finally, reach the Taneichi Station area, where you can unwind at Marine Side Spa Taneichi. I’ve stayed here several times and found it an extremely useful stop. As well as the large bath, there is accommodation and a restaurant in the same building, making it a particularly convenient place to finish this section for the day. There is also a supermarket nearby for resupply.

This marks the end of a delightful couple of days exploring the Michinoku Coastal Trail!