Winter-Friendly Trail from Japan’s Easternmost Point - Miyako to Kesennuma (17 Nights, 18 Days) - Discover the Japan Adventure - Michinoku Coastal Trail

Winter-Friendly Trail from Japan’s Easternmost Point – Miyako to Kesennuma (17 Nights, 18 Days)

Home » Winter-Friendly Trail from Japan’s Easternmost Point – Miyako to Kesennuma (17 Nights, 18 Days)

Overview

The Miyako to Kesennuma section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail offers stunning views of the Sanriku coastline and rich local culture. Highlights include Miyako’s Jodogahama Beach and Ofunato’s Goishi Coast, where you can marvel at the majestic ria coastline and unique rock formations. Rikuzentakata’s Miracle Pine Tree, a symbol of recovery, inspires visitors with its powerful story. In Kesennuma, you can savor fresh seafood, shark fin dishes, and experience the vibrant fishing culture.

This section is particularly recommended in winter. With leaves fallen along the ridges, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the vast ocean while walking on soft, leaf-covered paths. The area experiences minimal snowfall and has no bothersome insects, providing a comfortable environment to explore. In the crisp, clear air of winter, the trail offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.

Difficulty level

View Points

Recommended Eateries Around the Route

Miyako City: Uchidate (Sushi restaurant)
Kamaishi City: Mummy (Izakaya)
Rikuzentakata City: Hakoneyama Terrace (Coffee shop)
This route provides a rich tapestry of landscapes and cultural experiences, offering a blend of scenic beauty and the vibrant lifestyle of the local community.

Itinerary

Distances listed are approximate distances within the trail course.
There are individual differences in walking time, so please consider the above course as a reference time only.
Please note that the number of trains are limited when using the Sanriku Railway.
If you miss the train, it is convenient to use a local taxi. ※For areas without taxi service, please consult the taxi company in the arrival (destination) area.

Day 1

From Various Places to Miyako

Reference: Tokyo Station - Shinkansen - Morioka Station - JR - Miyako Station (or bus) 6 hours
Recommended accommodation: Guesthouse 3710

Day 2

12km

7.5mailes

5-Hour Course on the Omoe Peninsula Trail

10:00 Check-out
Procurement of food at convenience stores around Miyako Station (difficult to get supplies on the Omoe Peninsula)
11:00 Take the Iwate Kenhoku Bus bound for "Sato" from bus stop number 2
11:32 Get off at "Shirahama"
11:40 Start of Omoe Peninsula Trail (12km/7.5miles) Average time 5 hours
Shirahama - Gassan - Minshuku Otobeso
16:40 Arrived at Minshuku Otobeso
Accommodation: Minshuku Otobeso
*Those who wish can order a lunch box for the next day.

Day 3

15km

9.3miles

6-Hour Course on the Omoe Peninsula Trail

10:00 Trail start from hotel (15km/9.3miles) Average time: 6 hours
Otobe-so - Togasaki Lighthouse (the easternmost point of Honshu) - Aneyoshi bus stop
17:10 Take the "Shigemo" bus from the Tekenkita bus stop Aneyoshi, or take a taxi.
17:26 Get off at Shigemoe Garage. After arriving, take a shuttle to Minshuku Otobesou.
Accommodation: Minshuku Otobeso (multiple nights)

Day 4

16km

10miles

6-Hour Course from Terachigoe Pass to Yurax Area

8:45 Check-out
9:11 Take the bus bound for "Sato" from the bus stop "Ozunogara" in front of Otobe-so
9:55 Get off at "Ishihama"
10:00 Trail start (16km/10miles) Average time: 6 hours
　 Ishihama bus stop - Terachigoe pass - Yurax (hotel)
16:00 Arrived at Umineko Onsen Yurakus
Accommodation: Umineko Onsen Yulux
There are supermarkets and convenience stores nearby.

Day 5

13.5km

8.4miles

5-Hour Course from Ushikorogashi Pass to Kojin Beach Area

10:00 Check-out
10:36 Sanriku Railway Rias Line Rikuchu-Yamada Station (3 minutes walk from the hotel)
10:44 Arrived at Iwate Funakoshi Station
10:50 Trail start (13.5km/8.4miles) Average time: 5 hours
Tanohama Community Center - Ushikorogashi Pass - Kojin Beach - Iwate Funakoshi Station
16:59 Sanriku Railway Rias Line Departing from Iwate Funakoshi Station
17:08 Sanriku Railway Rias Line Namiita Kaigan Station (1km walk to the hotel)
Accommodation: Sanriku Hana Hotel Hamagiku

Day 6

6.5km

4miles

5-Hour Course from Rikuchu Kaigan Youth House to Namiita Coast Station

10:00 Take a taxi from the hotel to Rikuchu Kaigan Youth House
10:15 Trail start (6.5km/4miles) Average time: 5 hours
Rikuchu Coast Youth House - Kujirayama - Namiita Coast Station-Hotel　

15:15 Accommodation: Sanriku Hana Hotel Hamagiku (multiple nights)

Day 7

16.5km

10.3miles

6-Hour Course from Kirikiri Coast to Otsuchi Station

Check-out
10:00 Trail start (16.5km/10.3km) Average time: 7 hours
Kirikiri Coast - Sakiyama, Sujiyama - Akahama - Otsuchi - Gensui - Shiroyama - Otsuchi Station
16:00 Accommodation: Business Hotel Kotobuki

Day 8

17km

10.6miles

6-Hour Course from Otsuchi Oshachi to Hakozaki Shirahama Fishing Port

Check-out
9:00 Trail start (17km/10.6miles) Average time 6 hours
Otsuchi Oshachi - Murohama - Katagishi - Unosu Memorial Stadium - Hakozaki Shirahama Fishing Port
14:30 Accommodation: Ohakozaki Inn

Day 9

12km

7.5miles

6-Hour Course from Ryoishi Station to Kamaishi Station

Check-out(Travel by car *Seeing off the inn)
11:10 Unosumai Station, Sanriku Railway Rias Line
11:14 Ryoishi Station Trail Start (12km/7.5miles) Average time: 6 hours
11:15 Ryoishi Station - Mizuumi General Park - Sanrikuhama Highway, Toriyazaka - Kamaishi Station
16:11 Accommodation: Hotel Folkloro Sanriku Kamaishi

Day 10

10.6km

6.6miles

5-Hour Course from Kuwadai Pass to Yoshihama Station

7:45 Check-out (3 minutes walk from the hotel)
8:11 Departing from Kamaishi Station Sanriku Railway Rias Line
8:44 Karatani Station Trail start (10.6km/6.6miles) Average time 6 hours
Kuwadai Pass - Yoshihama Station
15:52 Yoshihama Station
15:58 Sanriku Station Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
Accommodation: Kahoso

Day 11

9.2km

5.75miles

5-Hour Course from Ayari Station to Rikuzen-Akasaki Station

Check-out (Travel by car *Seeing off the inn)
8:05 Sanriku Railway Rias Line Sanriku Station
8:17 Ayari Station Trail Start (9.2km/5.75miles) Average time 5 hours
　 Ayari Station - Tsukumomagari - Ayari Pass - Rikuzen-Akasaki Station
15:00 Rikuzen-Akasaki Station, Sanriku Railway Rias Line
15:05 Sanriku Railway Rias Line Sakarii Station → SakariStation (BRT) 15:20 → Ofunato Station
15:25 Ofunato Station
Accommodation: Ofunato Plaza Hotel

Day 12

12.1km

7.56miles

7-Hour Course from Anatoiso to Goishi Coast Station

8:30 Check-out (3 minutes walk from the hotel)
8:45 Ofunato Station 　（BRT)
8:56 Hosoura Station Trail Start (12.1km/7.56miles) Average time 7 hours
Anatoiso - Goishi Coast Information Center - Goishi Coast Station
16:17 Goishi Coast Station　（BR T)
16:23 Ofunato Marumori Station
Accommodation: Ofunato Onsen

Day 13

11km

6.8miles

5-Hour Course Halfway around Hirota Peninsula

8:45 Check-out (3 minutes walk from the hotel)
8:53 Departing from Ofunato Marumori Station (BRT)
9:04 Arrive at Otomo Station (there are toilets at the station)
10:14 Otomo Station Trail Start (11km/6.8miles) Average time 5 hours
Trail: Halfway around Hirota Peninsula/Midpoint, Kurosaki Senkyo (with day spa)
15:14 Accommodation: Minshuku Shida inn

Day 14

12.8km

8miles

4-Hour Course from Otomoura to Takatamatsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park

　 Check-out
8:50 Take a local bus from near the hotel or walk (30 minutes)
9:06 Arrive at Otomo Station (there are toilets at the station)
10:00 Trail start (12.8km/8miles) Average time: 4 hours
Otomoura - Hakoneyama Citizen's Forest (stop at Kesen Carpentry and Plastering Museum) - Yonezaki Town apple orchard~ Takatamatsubara Tsunami Reconstruction Memorial Park
(Recommended stops: Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami Memorial Museum, Takada Matsubara Roadside Station, Miracle Pine Tree)

16:37 Miracle Pine Station = (BRT)
16:46 Takada High School Station
16:50 Accommodation: Capital Hotel 1000

Day 15

12.7km

7.9miles

6-Hour Course from Karakuwa Osawa to Hanzo Rest House

10:20 From the hotel on foot
10:29 Takada High School Station = (BRT) 10:23 Rikuzentakata Station
10:43 Rikuzentakata Station = (BRT) 11:02 Karakuwa-Osawa
Trail start (12.7km/7.9miles) Average time 6 hours
Karakuwa Osawa - Marble Coast - Shimonihonmatsu - Ogama - Hanzo Rest House
Accommodation: Rias Karakuwa Youth Hostel

Day 16

13.6km

8.5miles

6-Hour Course from Hanzo Rest House to Magurodate Fishing Port

From the hotel on foot
9:00 Trail start (13.6km/8.5miles) Average time 6 hours
Hanzo Rest House - Karakuwa Peninsula Visitor Center - Misaki Shrine - Magurodate Fishing Port
15:00 Arrive at Karakuwa Palace Tsunakan
Accommodation: Karakuwa Palace Tsunakan

Day 17

13.21km

8.25miles

6-Hour Course from Magurodate Fishing Port to Kesennuma Oshima Holiday Village

From the hotel on foot
9:00 Trail start (13.2km/8.25miles) Average time: 6 hours
Magurodate Fishing Port - Fujihama - Hayama Shrine - Kesennuma Oshima Bridge - Kameyama Peak - Kesennuma Oshima Holiday Village
15:00 Accommodation: Kesennuma Oshima Holiday Village

Day 18

6.5km

4miles

4-Hour Course from Tanakahama to Tatsumaizaki

8:00 From the hotel on foot
Trail start (6.5km/4miles) Average time: 4 hours
Tanakahama - Odanohama Beach House - Tatsumaizaki (toilets available)
12:00 Ryumaizaki Parking Lot: Taxi (book in advance) or bus
Sea Market (stopping by: Rias Shark Museum, Kesennuma Onsen, Naiwan, etc.)
14:28 Kawarada/Umi no Ichi Entrance Bus Stop Expressway Bus to Sendai Station
17:16 Arriving at Sendai Station
Sendai Station - Shinkansen - Tokyo Station

Travel itinerary

Trail & Train Concept Book

A Trail & Train concept book is available to introduce the section from Hachinohe to Miyako of the over 1,000-kilometer MCT route.

Download

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