Michinoku Coastal Trail and Beyond
- Bike & Hike 7days adventure　

Michinoku Coastal Trail and Beyond
– Bike & Hike 7days adventure　

Summary

Over seven days, you journey along the Michinoku Coast Trail on foot and by bicycle, moving through rugged coastlines and towns in recovery. As you travel, you encounter the quiet, enduring process of human renewal—and are invited to reflect deeply on life, resilience, and your own way of being.

Highlight

• Handpicked section hikes of the Michinoku Coast Trail, passing through hand-dug tunnels and island pathways shaped by time and tide
• Nights of glamping before the vast, open sea, where horizon and sky dissolve into silence
• Intimate conversations with those who survived the Great East Japan Earthquake, sharing stories of loss, strength, and hope
• A fishing-boat cruise that offers a glimpse into the daily rhythms and wisdom of coastal life
• Traditional local performing arts that carry prayers to the sea and all living beings
• A reflective field walk to understand the lasting presence of the nuclear disaster and its impact today

DAY1: 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, and 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 and magical spectacle—petrels breeding in their only close-up nesting site in Japan. Every year, these resilient birds return, lay eggs, nurture their young, and 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, and the warmth of Japanese coastal hospitality, forging connections that will last far beyond this journey.

DAY2: Harmony with nature ~Embracing the harsh, yet abundant nature~

Welcome to Tanohata Village, one of the most spectacular and sought-after destinations along the Michinoku Coastal Trail. Today’s adventure takes you deep into Japan’s raw, untamed wilderness, where towering cliffs, endless ocean views, and rugged landscapes carved over millennia await. This isn’t just a hike—it’s a thrilling expedition through nature’s masterpiece.

But this land is more than just breathtaking scenery—it’s a testament to human resilience. The Tohoku region, known for its bitterly cold winters, relentless sea winds, and unforgiving terrain, has shaped generations of people who refuse to be defeated. Despite facing tsunamis, famines, and unimaginable hardships, the people of Tohoku have not only survived but thrived.

At the Folklore Museum, you’ll step into the past and hear the powerful stories of those who fought to turn adversity into strength. You’ll feel the unshakable determination of the ancestors who called this land home, and perhaps, discover a new sense of resilience within yourself.

After an exhilarating day of hiking and e-bike cycling, we’ll unwind at a spectacular seaside retreat, where fresh seafood and panoramic ocean views create the perfect setting for reflection. As the waves crash against the shore, take a moment to embrace the raw beauty of nature and ponder what it truly means to live, endure, and belong.

DAY3: Harmony in the tsunami’s reality ~Regeneration of life and nature~

The third day will be a day to consider what happened after the Great East Japan Earthquake and how the relationship between humans and nature (living creatures) has changed in the process of reconstruction from the disaster.

The morning hike will take place at Jodogahama, one of the most scenic spots in the coastal area.　The beach, which was once described as “just like the Paradise of the Pure Land,” has remained unaltered in its beauty despite the disasters that have occurred. Although we will not be able to experience sea kayaking, which we recommend, due to the cold weather, we hope that you will take a fresh look at nature from the perspective of the “living creatures” that live here.

After moving to Otsuchi Town in the afternoon, a woman who emigrated from overseas after the disaster will share the facts of March 11. Through the activities and dialogue with the residents, she will share with us the fact that the ecosystem of living creatures has changed in the process of reconstruction, which is mainly focused on human society, as well as what really happened here at that time.

DAY4: Harmony in reconstruction ~Contemplating human-centered recovery~

On the fourth day, you’ll cycle along the Michinoku Coastal Trail. Using electric bicycles, you’ll ride through communities that have rebuilt themselves after the disaster — feeling both the rhythm of everyday life and the powerful spirit of recovery that defines the region.

Your starting point, Rikuzentakata City, was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and had to be rebuilt entirely from the ground up. Over the course of 14 years, the city has carried out extensive reconstruction — building seawalls, raising the land level, and relocating communities to higher ground — all in preparation for possible future tsunamis. It stands as a testament not only to Japan’s advanced civil engineering, but also to the tireless efforts of its people. And yet, one may wonder — can human technology truly stand against the force of nature? During the afternoon cruising experience, we invite you to reflect on this question through conversations with a local fisherman who makes his living from the sea, and a woman who moved here, drawn by the beauty of the ocean. Together, they offer unique perspectives on the delicate balance between people and nature.

You’ll spend the night at a private seaside cottage, where you can relax and unwind while gazing out over the stunning ocean view — a perfect moment to reflect on the journey so far.

DAY5: Harmony with the sea ~Reflecting on the meaning of life~

On the fifth day, you’ll explore one of the Michinoku Coastal Trail’s most unique routes — an island course where you can enjoy a leisurely hike that refreshes both body and mind.

Kinkasan, located off the coast of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, is considered a sacred island. It was here, 1,270 years ago, that gold was first discovered in Japan. To commemorate this, Kinkasan Koganeyama Shrine was founded, enshrining Benzaiten — the goddess of fortune and prosperity.
The entire island is covered in granite, creating striking coastal scenery shaped by sea erosion. You may also encounter wild deer and monkeys, regarded as divine messengers and carefully protected by the local community.

This marks your final day walking along the Michinoku Coastal Trail.From the following day, your journey continues south into Fukushima, along the Hamakaidō Trail — carrying with you the reflections on recovery and resilience after the tsunami and connecting them to the ongoing story of Fukushima’s rebirth after the nuclear disaster.

DAY6: Harmony with the invisible (radioactivity and energy）

On the last two days, we will walk the Fukushima Coastal Trail.

In the morning, we will walk through Futaba Town, where the residents were not allowed to return for a long time due to the nuclear disaster, and few have returned even now. Comparing the landscape with what we have seen over the past five days, we will see the difference between the effects of the tsunami disaster and the nuclear disaster.

In addition to capturing an overview of the nuclear disaster at the museum, you will also be exposed to the story of one resident whose life has been drastically changed by the effects of the disaster. Norio Kimura lost his father, wife, and daughter in the disaster. We hope you will listen to his earnest message. In the afternoon, we will also have a dialogue with young people from India who are boldly taking up the challenge of rebuilding their struggling city. We hope you will also feel the hopes of these young people who are trying to pave the way for the future.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the word “reconstruction” has been widely used. Can we call it “reconstruction” if seawalls are built, houses are rebuilt, and people’s lives are restored? We would like you to feel the similarities and differences between the tsunami disaster and the nuclear disaster through the scenery and the words of the people living there.

DAY7: Encounter with a new yourself, a pledge to the future

On the final day, you’ll ride along the graceful coastline of Iwaki, the sea shimmering beside you like a mirror of all the memories you’ve gathered along the way.As the wind brushes past, take a moment to listen — to the quiet voice within yourself, and to the gentle conversations shared with those who have journeyed beside you.May this be a day to meet a new version of yourself, shaped by the people and landscapes that have touched your heart.

Here along the Tohoku coast, where so many once lost the rhythm of ordinary life in an instant, each sunrise now carries the quiet strength of those who chose to live on.Through this land, may you come to see anew the blessings that sustain us all — food, energy, work, friendship, family, and the simple gift of being alive.

With deep gratitude for your time in Tohoku — a place of enduring spirit and hope — we send you onward, until our paths cross again.

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