Michinoku Hike

Trip Philosophy

Hiking is our main focus on this trip. However, in addition to 7 days of hiking, this full package tour offers a variety of experiences, including Hachinohe, Fukushima, the famous bullet train, scenic train ride along the coastline, visiting Kesennuma memorial hall, staying in ‘Minshuku’ (a country inn), an oyster farm tour and relaxing in a village renowned for its hot springs.

We have an opportunity to visit a much less travelled destination in the Tohoku region including Fukushima and that will ensure that you get to experience what Tohoku really has to offer.

Recovery tourism in Tohoku enables you to go into affected areas to see the situation and provide support, while also enjoying travelling and staying in the area through the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

We are committed to offering an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy a unique hiking experience combined with other must-do and must-see attractions in Japan, a fascinating and culturally diverse country.

Day 1: Meet in Morioka, the capital city of Iwate Prefecture.

We meet at our hotel at 5:00 pm for the Tour Briefing. You will need to make your own way there. On arrival at the hotel, you will be met by your tour leader in the lobby. Following the briefing, we’ll have a group dinner when we’ll be able to get acquainted with each other and experience our first taste of Japanese cuisine.

Schedule: Meet at Hotel » Dinner in Morioka
Stay:  Hotel in Morioka City
Meals: Breakfast [ NA ]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔ ]

A complimentary Short Hike tour in Morioka. If you are planning to arrive in Morioka a day before the tour departure date, you will have a bit more time to recover from jet lag. To make the most of your stay in Morioka, your tour leader will be able to offer you a complimentary short hike tour before the tour briefing at 5:00 pm on Day One.

Day 2: Hike Akita Komaga Take (1637m), the highest peak in Akita Prefecture. (Hiking day)

After breakfast, we will be picked up by our private shuttle and head to our first hiking destination, Akita Komaga Take. Reaching 1,637 m, Akita Komaga Take comprises several peaks including Mt. Onamedake, the highest mountain in Akita Prefecture, and serves as a symbol of Akita.

The mountain is an active volcano that stretches from Akita Prefecture to Iwate Prefecture.
A circular hiking trail starts from the end of the road. The trailhead is already above the treeline so we will have an open vista at all times (weather permitting). A spectacular panorama can be seen from all the mountain tops of Akita Komaga Take with its colourful autumn leaves.

After the hike, we head to our accommodation to kick-off the hiking portion of the trip with a feast of food and drink prepared by a chef at our lodge.

Trail Data:
Distance: 5.4 km
Elevation gain: + 330 m / – 330 m
Time: 4 – 5 hrs

Schedule: Morioka City » Akita Komaga Take » Hachimantai City
Stay: Lodge in Hachimantai City
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔ ]

Day 3: Hike Akita Yake Yama volcano. (Hiking day)

Akita Yake Yama volcano is an active stratovolcano in Akita Prefecture. It is one of several Japanese volcanoes named Yake-yama (“Burning Mountain”).
Its cone is 7 km wide at the base and contains a 600 m wide summit crater containing a small lava dome called Onigajo. The last magmatic eruption was the formation of the Onigajo lava dome in the summit crater about 5000 years ago.

We start our hike travelling through the forests in peak autumn colour season when the colours of Japanese beech, oak, mountain ash, maples and many others are at their best. After about 90 minutes, we will break out of the forest for fabulous panoramic mountain vistas.

After crossing a creek where natural hot springs flow, we will be hiking up around on the outer rim of a volcano. Enjoy a spectacular view of the crater walls and seismic pools hiking on a fine mountain ridge.

Our hike today ends at a hot spring resort where we enjoy soaking in the hot springs.
We return to the same accommodation tonight.

Trail Data:
Distance: 11 km
Elevation gain: + 495 m / – 495 m
Time: 5 – 6 hrs

Schedule: Hachimantai City » Akita Yake Yama » Hachimantai City
Stay: Lodge in Hachimantai City
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ ✔ ]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 4: Explore Hachimantai, a volcano plateau. (Hiking day)

In the morning, we take a signature hike in the area around the summit of Mt. Hachimantai (1613m). We hike on boardwalks through a series of rolling marshlands and ponds created when a crater formed from volcanic activities. We follow the trail to the summit of Mt. Chausu which, on a clear day, has excellent views across the valley of Hachimantai to Mt. Iwate and over to Mt. Chokai.

After the hike, we will be picked up by a private shuttle and head to tonight’s accommodation in Hachinohe.

Dinner tonight will be a seafood dinner at Yokocho, Hachinohe’s most famous drinking alleyway. It is an exciting and colourful network of covered streets lined by dozens of food stalls. Every evening the sound of cheerful laughter rings out from the alleyways.

Trail Data:
Distance: 7.3 km
Elevation gain: + 120 m / – 400 m
Time: 4 – 5 hrs

Schedule: Hachimantai City » Hachimantai Summit » Hachinohe City
Stay: Hotel in Hachinohe City
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ ✔]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 5: Michinoku Coastal Trail. (Hiking day)

We will visit a Morning Market that is only open on early Sunday mornings. The market is open from sunrise to 9 AM. More than 300 vendors line the 800m-long market, and it is one of the largest markets in Japan with over 10,000 visitors every week.

Today, we hike one of the best sections of the Michinoku Coastal Trail. We take a local train to get to the starting point of our hike along the coast. From the undulating sunken rocks to the white sands and green pine trees, this route meanders around the coastline whose magnificent scenery varies constantly. Enjoy fantastic vistas over the Pacific Ocean.

After the hike, we will return to Hachinohe and visit a local Sake brewery. Dinner is on your own tonight, but your tour leader will be able to recommend several choices for the night.

Trail Data:
Distance: 8 km
Elevation gain: + 50 m / – 50 m
Time: 4 – 5 hrs

Schedule: Hachinohe City » Morning Market » Michinoku Coastal Trail » Hachinohe City
Stay: Hotel in Hachinoe City
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔ ]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ NA ]

Day 6: Scenic train ride along the coastline.

We leave Hachinohe behind and travel to Miyako City by local trains – Hachinohe Railway and Sanriku Railway. We will take a day off to rest your legs from hiking today. The total travel time on the trains from Hachinohe to Miyako today is approximately three and a half hours. Please enjoy a relaxing journey watching the changing scenery from the train.

The tsunami that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 caused extensive damage to local railway infrastructure, destroying stations, rail, and bridges.

Sanriku Railway was finally reopened on March 23, 2019. A single line, the Sanriku Railway Rias Line, stretching 163 kilometres along the coastline, is now the longest “third sector” (half public, half private) railway line in Japan. We make one stop at Kuji Station to visit a local restaurant renowned for its amazing seafood selections. We will stay in a luxury resort hotel in Miyako City.

Schedule: Hachinohe City » Kuji City » Miyako City
Stay: Hotel in Miyako City
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 7: Michinoku Coastal Trail, Jodoga Hama ‘‘Pure Land’. (Hiking Day)

In the morning, we hike one of the most beautiful sections along Michinoku Coastal Trail and part of the Sanriku Reconstruction National Park.

This route winds up and down through the “Ocean Alps” of Miyako City. This route lets you experience the contrast between the dynamic scenery of the blowhole that blasts sea waters up to 30 meters and the beautiful, calm landscape of Jodogahama Beach.

In the afternoon, we will be picked up by a private shuttle and head to Kesennuma City.

Dinner is on your own tonight, but your tour leader will be able to recommend several choices for the night. The restaurant in the hotel is an easy option.

Trail Data:
Distance: 8.3 km
Elevation gain: + 300 m / – 250 m
Time: 4 – 5 hrs

Schedule: Miyako City » Michinoku Shiokaze » Kesennuma City
Stay: Hotel in Kesennuma City
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ NA ]

Day 8: Living with the Ocean.

Today, we will take a day tour to visit Kesennuma Memorial Museum and an oyster farm tour on a boat to learn about the city’s reconstruction project. Kesennuma is a city that suffered devastating damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Kesennuma City turned the old school building of Kesennuma Koyo High School, which was heavily damaged by the tsunami and left in ruins, into a memorial hall to share the memories and lessons from the earthquake.
It is important for us to continue to convey the fearsome power of earthquakes and tsunamis to future generations.

After visiting the memorial hall, we will head to the port where we get on a boat that takes us to a local oyster farm. This is a great opportunity to learn from local fishermen about the symbiotic relationship between mountains and oceans, and the unique ecosystem in Kesennuma resulting from this symbiosis. The ocean in Kesennuma recovered rapidly after the tsunami because the river and the forest inland had been protected by locals and delivered essential nutrients back to the ocean in short order. The tsunami has also improved oyster farming in the area by stirring up sea floors and removing accumulated sludge.

After the tour, we catch a bullet train to Fukushima Station. We will be met by our host with whom we will stay at a fine ryokan in Onsen village which is renowned for its hot springs.

Schedule: Kesennuma City » A memorial hall » Oyster farm » Dake Onsen Village
Stay: Ryoken in Dake Onsen Village
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ ✔]

Day 9: Hike ‘Goshiki Numa Ponds’ Fukushima’s hidden gem. (Hiking Day)

We will take a private shuttle to visit Goshiki Numa Ponds, one of the most popular destinations in Fukushima Prefecture.

Goshiki Numa Ponds is a series of beautiful lakes and ponds on a highland plain in Bandai-Asahi National Park. The lakes and ponds were created by the 1888 eruption of Mt.Bandai.
We take a walk along the trail that takes you past dozens of lakes and ponds. The hike takes just over an hour one-way..

At the end of the trail, you have an opportunity to enjoy shopping for souvenirs and local products. It is also a good place to pick your most enticing option for lunch or ask your tour leader to recommend and arrange one for you.

After lunch, we head to our Ryokan. Enjoy your free time exploring this fascinating village. Dinner is on your own tonight, but your tour leader will be able to recommend several choices for the night.

Trail Data:
Distance: 3.6 km
Elevation gain: + 50 m
Time: 1 – 2 hrs

Schedule: Dake Onsen Village » Goshiki Numa Ponds » Dake Onsen Village
Stay: Ryoken in Dake Onsen Village
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA ]      Dinner [ NA]

Day 10: Summit Mount Adatara 1700m. (Hiking Day)

Located in the remote Bandai-Asahi National Park in Fukushima Prefecture, we will hike Mount Adatara to its 1,700-meter summit that offers extraordinary panoramic views. Mount Adatara is also the best place to enjoy the bright colours of the autumn leaves in the region.

The mountain is made up of several volcanoes – another opportunity for us to hike around the outer rim of the crater along the summit ridge. Enjoy the striking contrast of colours and stunning vistas.

Tonight, we will stay in an onsen village which is renowned for its hot springs. Enjoy the last meal to wrap up our hiking tour.

Trail Data:
Distance: 10.3 km
Elevation gain: + 330 m / – 760 m
Time: 5 – 6 hrs

Schedule: Fukushima » Mount Adatara » Dake Onsen Village
Stay: Onsen Ryokan in Dake Onsen
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA]      Dinner [ ✔ ]

Day 11: Tour conclusion

We will take a private shuttle from the hotel to JR Koriyama Station where the tour concludes.

Our guide will be more than happy to assist you with all the information you need to get to your next destination from the station.

Schedule: Dake Onsen Village » JR Koriyama Station
Stay: Not included
Meals: Breakfast [ ✔]      Lunch [ NA]      Dinner [ NA]

The spirit of Japanese hospitality

One of the biggest reasons for returning visitors to Japan is the Japanese people’s heartfelt hospitality. Our mission is to connect our guests with local people along the way. The people in the Tohoku region are particularly renowned for their welcoming demeanour and are sure to add layers of enjoyment to your trip.

Let us take you off the beaten path and discover an authentic experience in Japan’s deep north. During our tour, we visit Iwate, Akita, Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima.

The best hikes in National Parks in Tohoku

Tohoku is known for its mountainous areas and rugged coastlines. Tohoku has a variety of hiking options and is the best place for hikers who want to get away from the normal ‘tourist routes’ and crowds.
From amazing ridge hikes to volcano hikes, to coastal trail hikes, we have compiled an ultimate list of the best day-hikes for you to thoroughly experience the mountains of Tohoku.

We take hikes in Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Sanriku Reconstruction National Park, and in Bandai-Asahi National Park. The tour is scheduled in Autumn. Tohoku is full of vibrant colours – the colourful trees making the mountains and forests glow with beautiful views of crimson red and deep yellow. Experience the pristine beauty of the mountains in Japan’s northern prefectures through the hike.

The Michinoku coastal trail

Over 1,000 km long, the Michinoku Coastal Trail is the newest long-distance trail in Japan that extends along the Pacific coast from Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture down to Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. There is stunning scenery at every turn, from the dynamic seas of the Pacific coast to the mountains.

In 2011, an earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated the eastern coast of northern Japan’s Tohoku region. In an effort to revitalize and assist the area, the Japanese Ministry of Environment in 2013 started plans to construct the Michinoku Coastal Trail to help assist the areas affected and display the true beauty of the region.

Amid rebuilding efforts supported from within and beyond Japan, a new form of tourism, ‘Recovery tourism’, now has begun to emerge.
Recovery tourism enables visitors to go into affected areas to see the situation and provide support, while also enjoying travelling and staying in the area through the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Hiking the entire 1,000 Km trail takes roughly two months. However, we choose to hike just the highlights of the trail while enjoying its stunning beauty and staying in a nearby city.

Fukushima

Fostering unique traditions of food and culture, the fertile lands of Fukushima produce some of Japan’s best fruit and sake. Nature is abundant and southern suburbanites have long been drawn to its famed onsen and pristine wilderness. While the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit the region hard, tourism has bounced right back.

There are active inspections for radioactive materials in all fishing ports and vegetable farms in Fukushima Prefecture. To ensure food safety, stringent daily inspections are carried out on a daily basis. Rest assured, your safety is paramount. Fukushima has recovered immensely since 2011 and the region has done a superb job of ensuring health standards continue to be met.

We have an opportunity to visit a much less travelled destination in Fukushima and that will ensure that you get to experience what Fukushima really has to offer.

Optional Tours: If you would like to extend your time in this fascinating country, we have a selection of short tour options available on-demand. These are designed to assist you in getting the very most out of your visit. http://www.greathikesjapan.com/optional-tours/index.html

Hiking Difficulty

It is a Moderate hike. A moderate level of fitness is required for the hike. The trail is not technical however there are frequent elevation changes throughout the day with some steep climbs. You will need to be able to hike in a group over seven days, averaging a comfortable 7.5 kilometres per day with a day-pack for 4 to 6 hours each day.

The majority of the trails are well-maintained and signed. There are no technical sections. It can be very slippery and muddy when wet with tree roots and rocks. Hiking poles and hiking boots with good ankle support are strongly recommended. The suitable age for the hike is over the age of 18.

Accommodation Info

Single Supplement Charge: $520.00 CAD

Meeting Place & Time

You will meet your Yamnuska tour leader at our hotel in Morioka City. There will be a tour briefing at 5 pm after which we will have our welcome dinner in Morioka City.

Getting to Morioka City and Transportation

Upon booking, you will receive a welcome tour letter by email. Once the tour’s confirmed, we will send you more detailed instructions on how to get to our hotel from Tokyo Narita Airport. If landing at another airport or arriving in Morioka City by rail or other means send us your travel details so we can send you customized instructions.

Guides & Group Size

Yamnuska tour leaders are professional guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), they are fluent in both English and Japanese. They have extensive experience in both Japan and in the Canadian Rockies. They have advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation accreditation. They carry emergency equipment including a group first aid kit and communication tools. A minimum group size is 8 guests.

What to Bring

You will need to bring your own daypack and personal clothing (guides carry first aid and emergency gear). Cotton clothing is NOT recommended as an insulating layer as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. Weather conditions can vary from hot to cold, rainy and even snowy meaning you need to be equipped appropriately. It also can be very slippery when wet, due to many tree roots and muddy terrain. We highly recommend that you wear hiking boots that provide firm ankle support. Walking poles are highly recommended and available for rent.

See a sample equipment list here.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A 35% deposit is required at time of booking. A $200 CAD non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the tour and that amount in Canadian dollars will be calculated using the current official Yen exchange rate. The Canadian Dollar price is subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in the exchange rate for the Japanese Yen.

Cancellation less than eight weeks before the program start and during the program results in loss of the entire amount paid. The entire amount you paid is non-refundable and non-transferable.

You are required to purchase travel medical insurance to participate in our Japan programs.

Travel medical insurance covers and protects you against unforeseen events during the tour in Japan. We appreciate not everyone wants the added cost of insurance, but in our experience, unplanned events happen regularly. Your tour leader will do their best to assist guests when unplanned events happen, but there are easily obtained policies that can protect your financial investment.

We are hiking through a rural, remote area in Japan. It is your responsibility to have appropriate travel medical insurance during your trip to Japan.

We strongly recommend that you check your insurance if it covers emergency medical-related assistance services such as, -locating local medical providers, -arranging transportation and translation services, -coordinating evacuations including ambulance and emergency air transportation, -arranging accommodations and meals for extension of your stay.

Because you are travelling in Japan and it can be difficult to find a medical facility that provides assistance services in your first language. When you don’t understand what the doctors and nurses are telling you about your conditions, a translation service will be of great help to you.

If you have travel insurance with your credit card, please make sure you check on the coverage and if you think it does not cover for the type of your travel to Japan, you may want to reconsider.

We also strongly recommend you find a trip cancellation or interruption provider as we will not be in a position to credit or refund your fees.