[Michinoku Coastal Trail ] I participated in the "Double Cliff Challenge Tour" in Tanohata Village , Iwate Prefecture

5th Anniversary of the Michinoku Coastal Trail Trail Opening & Charity Event to Support the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Recovery Tour Report: Conquering both "Kitayamazaki" and "Uonosu Cliff"

• Table of Contents
• What is the Michinoku Coastal Trail?
• Day 1: Tsukuehama Banya Group → Hand-Dug Tunnel → Kitayamazaki to Kurosakiso (13km)
• DAY 2 Shimakoshi Station → Shiraike Beach → Uonosu Cliff Observatory (5km)

What is the Michinoku Coastal Trail?

The Michinoku Coastal Trail is a long trail that connects the Pacific coastline from Aomori Prefecture Hachinohe City to Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture . Its greatest attraction is the Toyotomi of spots where you can experience the dynamic ocean scenery. There are many sights to see, such as beautiful cliffs and the unique scenery of the ria coast. You can experience the culture of fishing villages, interact with the people, enjoy the overwhelming beauty of nature, and experience unforgettable impressions while feeling the sea breeze.

The goal of this tour was when Noriyoshi Kato, a leading authority on long trails in Japan and an author, saw the view from Unosu Cliff and proposed the idea of ​​a long trail along the Sanriku coast to the Ministry of the Environment. This led to the launch of the Tohoku Pacific Long-distance Nature Trail (Michinoku Coastal Trail) Project as a major post-reconstruction project.

For more information, please visit the Michinoku Trail Club website.

Michinoku Trail Club Homepage

Day 1: Tsukuehama Banya Group → Hand-Dug Tunnel → Kitayamazaki to Kurosakiso (13km)

This course will cover about 20km of the 1000km-long trail route between Tanohata Village and Fudai Village over two days. Please take a look at the report, which is full of photos.

On the first day, we started by gathering at the Tsukuehama guardhouses, which had been restored to their original state after the earthquake. The participants gradually became silent as they suddenly started climbing a steep Saka. However, once they had made it to the Saka, a magnificent view of the blue sky, ocean, and rugged cliffs awaited them!

After climbing the Saka slope and continuing on, you will then descend to the sandy beach.

The sandy beach comes into view.

Beautiful lilies were in bloom.

After this, we walked along the coastline for a while. I thought it was a dead end, but there it was...

We came across a hand-dug tunnel that penetrated the cliff rocks! We put on our headlamps and continued on.

There is a signpost for the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Once you pass through the hand-dug tunnel, you'll come to a quiet cove where no man-made structures are visible.

We head towards the second hand-dug tunnel. It feels like a dinosaur might appear.

The second hand-dug tunnel is a little wider, with a bat hanging from it.

Once you exit the tunnel, you'll be faced with climbing a ladder.

Once you reach the top of the ladder, you'll find a wide sandy beach. The Pacific Ocean stretches out endlessly, creating a magnificent view.

After the seaside course ends, you head back into the mountains, slowly climbing up the stairs one step at a time.

The stairs got steeper and steeper, and I kept going up and down. My knees started to shake.

We climb up and down the steep stairs... and slowly make our way along, admiring the green trees.

The most difficult part is the steep stairs! Be careful not to slip!

Once you finish the stairs, the view of the ocean and the strangely shaped rocks will spread out before you again. Let's take a short break.

The last staircase!! All the participants looked at each other and asked, "Are there more?"

Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by the soothing blue of the sea and sky. The view from Kitayamazaki Observatory is a scenic spot that was given the highest rank of Special A in the national tourism resource evaluation "Natural Resources Coasts and Misaki".

Leaving the seaside behind, we now head into the mountains. We walk along a small river. The sound of the flowing water feels refreshing.

The sea is visible in the distance. The finish line is just around the corner.

As we walked through the mountains, we suddenly came across a large tree root in front of us! It seemed to be a fallen tree, so we went around it and continued on. As we reached the top of the Saka, we could see our lodging, Kurosaki-so, which was also our goal for the day.

Kurosaki House Home Page

Thank you for your hard work at the barbecue! We took a bath to wash off the sweat and then toasted together! We talked about the hardships of the day and recharged our energy with cold beer and delicious seafood barbecue. I thought I should go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow, but the delicious beer just wouldn't stop...

DAY 2 Shimakoshi Station → Shiraike Beach → Uonosu Cliff Observatory (5km)

On the second day, the weather was cloudy despite the forecast of rain. My legs were still tired from yesterday, but today's course was only 5km long. The highlight was crossing five tunnels. I'll do my best.

Today's course is not the main route of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, as it can only be walked at low tide and when the waves are low due to land subsidence caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. This time, we will walk the "phantom course" at low tide during spring tide.

The tide is quite low today. It looks like it will be easy to walk along the shore.

Some beaches are made of pebbles, others are made of large rocks. Gradually the sun came out and the weather started to improve.

The journey will take you directly below impressive cliffs that are 100 metres high.

The first tunnel came into view. This time it was a series of five short hand-dug tunnels.

Since it is a phantom course, I continue walking with excitement.

We proceed along the gentle coastline.

The next tunnel comes into view in the distance.

We have arrived at Mihikiba Tunnel.

The view from between the rocks is fascinating.

We passed through all the tunnels and arrived at Makisawa Beach.

The weather got better and we could see the blue sky.

Just as I was feeling a sense of accomplishment after walking along the nature trail by the water's edge, a course awaited me, with a 150m high Saka to climb at once. I was so tired that I only managed to take one photo of this tree on the final mountain path.

After climbing 150 meters, we reached the finish line at the Uonosu Cliff Observatory. It was a fulfilling two days! We safely completed the Michinoku Coastal Trail tour, which conquered the double cliffs of Kitayamazaki Cliff and Uonosu Cliff. I wasn't confident that I could walk the entire Kitayamazaki area alone, where there are many stairs, so I'm really glad that I took this tour and was able to walk with the guide and other participants.

For more information about the route we walked this time, please click the link below. You can also get more detailed information by contacting the Tanohata Network Experience Village.

Why not visit Tanohata Village in Iwate Prefecture and experience an adventurous journey by walking the Michinoku Coastal Trail ?

Map of the Unosu Cliffs Nature Trail

The Hata Network Experience Village Homepage

Tanohata Activity Map