Michinoku Coastal Trail - 7 days

The walk starts in Hachinohe and finishes in Morioka, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. The most convenient arrival is by Shinkansen from Tokyo, with journey times of around 3 hours 30 minutes to Hachinohe. A taxi from the Shinkansen station to central Hachinohe takes around 20 minutes. Alternatively, Misawa Airport is around 40 minutes by taxi from Hachinohe, with flights from Tokyo taking around 1 hour. Arrivals are self-arranged.

The walk ends in Morioka, from where Shinkansen services return to Tokyo in around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes. For onward flights, trains connect to major cities with international airports. The Japan Transit Planner is a useful resource for checking schedules and fares.

This walk is available from 1 March to 30 November, with no fixed start days. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons. Spring brings wildflowers, cherry blossom in the fishing towns and comfortable temperatures with long daylight hours. Summer is warmer and livelier, with swimming opportunities along the coast, though July and August bring heat and humidity. Autumn is often considered the finest season, with crisp air, dramatic coastal light and temperatures between 12°C and 20°C. October and November bring the trail to its most colourful. The walk is not offered in winter, when cold temperatures and snow make conditions unsuitable. Pack a waterproof whatever the month.

Japan has three major national holiday periods when domestic travel peaks and accommodation costs rise significantly — in some cases by 30% or more. We recommend avoiding these dates where possible:

New Year: 30 December to 4 January

Golden Week: 29 April to 5 May

Obon: 10 to 20 August

Speak to your destination consultant when planning your dates, and we can help you find the best time to go.

This walk is graded moderate. Daily walks average 13.4 kilometres with around 545 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 6 out of 10. Tracks are modern and well-maintained, with some days offering steady elevation gains that reward with excellent views. The terrain is uneven in places, so sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and grip are essential. On one section, a short ladder may need to be negotiated at high tide.

Elevation is the primary training consideration. Include regular hill climbs in your preparation; a treadmill or stair climber works well if hills are not accessible. Squats, lunges, and balance exercises will also help on the more uneven sections.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

On most days of this walk, you will have to catch a train to get to the start and/or from the end of the walk. The train rides vary from 15 minutes up to 2.5 hours. All of the details will be provided in your information pack. Unfortunately, we cannot pre-book the trains for you. You will need to pay the fare on the da,y which will range from $3 to $6. The included taxi transfers and hotel shuttles are prebooked and part of your package.

Asiatic black bears are present in the more remote sections of the Michinoku Coastal Trail. They are a protected species and sightings are uncommon, but it is wise to carry a small bell attached to your pack — the sound alerts bears to your presence and most will move away long before you see them. If you do encounter a bear, stay calm, do not run and back away slowly. They are generally as wary of us as we are of them.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo travellers on our self-guided Michinoku Coastal Trail trips. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone poses a higher risk in the event of an emergency.