Michinoku Coastal Trail – 6 days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program. However, you should still incorporate some long walks as it will increase your cardiovascular fitness.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

UNEVEN TERRAIN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a blend of physical and mental readiness.

Begin with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is especially important, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement.

The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

HIGH SEASON CHARGES

In Japan, there are some periods when locals travel en masse as they are on holiday. These times are best avoided as the accommodation costs escalate considerably (more than double). It would make a lot of sense if you could avoid these times. Otherwise, see below for high-season periods. This could lead to the cost of the trip increasing by 30% or more.

GOLDEN WEEK – GENERALLY BETWEEN 29TH APRIL TO 5TH MAY

OBON PERIOD – MID-AUGUST ( BETWEEN THE 10TH TO 20TH OF AUGUST)

AVAILABILITY

This walk is available from 1 MARCH TO 30 NOVEMBER. Spring March, April, May and Autumn particularly October and November are ideal months to walk weather wise. Summer brings much warmer weather there are swimming opportunities along the track. This walk is not available during winter as it is very cold and can snow.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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 15mins up to 2.5hrs. 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 day which will range from $3 to $6. The included taxi transfers and hotel shuttles are prebooked and part of your package.

THE WALKING

This is a moderate walk. The tracks are modern and well maintained. Some days have steady elevation however it is worth it for the views. The days walk average 12.8km a day. Please see the fitness guide for more information.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

Travelling to the Start of the walk

This walk starts in Hachinohe on Day 1 and ends in Morioka. You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. The journey from Tokyo to Hachinohe takes about 3.5 hours.  To make it easy, we have collated some useful information that will assist you in planning for your travel.

By rail: Arrive in Hachinohe either by Shinkansen (train) or plane. If you are travelling by train you will arrive at the Shinkansen Station, approximately 20 minutes by taxi from central Hachinohe. You can take the local train instead to central Hachinohe, but it only leaves every hour so it may not be convenient.

Japan has one of the best train systems in the world, so it’s very easy to catch a train to any destination in the country. An express train is the fastest way to travel to the area. Travelling in Japan on trains is a seamless experience, and it is not necessary to always pre-purchase tickets. There’s plenty of Rail staff that speak English well enough to direct you the right way and to converse with you about how to buy your ticket. We can provide more information if you wish, so please ask one of our destination consultants.

You will find the following website Japan Transit Planner useful for catching trains in Japan. You can search train and bus timetables, departure and arrival stations, times, and prices. Otherwise, the app Japan Travel by Navi Time is fantastic. It lets you search train and bus timetables all over Japan. You can choose the departure station, arrival station, and time. The results give you the name of the train, platform number, total cost, duration of journey, total distance, and transfers.

By air: By taking a 1hr flight from Tokyo or 1hr 35mins from Osaka you will arrive at Misawa Airport about a 40-minute taxi ride to the CBD and your accommodation. There’s a nice walk out to a few shrines if you have time, or sit back and relax in one of the cafes or restaurants.

Travelling from the end of the walk

By rail: The train from Morioka to Tokyo takes around 2.5 – 3.5hrs

By air:Take the train to a major city and catch a flight from there

WEATHER

From the end of March, the temperature begins to increase. In summer, it’s quite warm and humid but still good for walking,  particularly if you enjoy warmer temperatures and taking a dip in a stream.

As walkers, we believe any time is good for walking, but spring and autumn are the most popular as the weather is ‘perfect’ for walking.

See the weather information about www.holiday-weather.com/morioka/ at different times of the year.

INFORMATION PACK

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know that you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks from departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips requiring international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance including medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have a very specific track-related question, ask for Brett, who has walked the Michinoku Coastal Trail area a few times. You can contact us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.