“Natori Trail Center Trail Days” Celebrating the 3rd Anniversary of the Full Opening of the Michinoku Coastal Trail

With the full cooperation of “Hikers Depot,” an outdoor shop in Mitaka, Tokyo, this two-day, one-night workshop lets you experience the four elements of UL (ultralight) hiking: “packing,” “walking,” “camping,” and “eating.”Whether you’re looking to get started with UL hiking or want to apply UL techniques to hikes on the Michinoku Coastal Trail, we’ll take our time to thoroughly cover everything from the basics to the essence of UL hiking together with you.
*Please note that this is a special workshop designed with Long Distance Nature Trails, such as the Michinoku Coastal Trail, in mind.

Dates: June 18 (Sat) – June 19 (Sun)
In cooperation with: Hikers Depot
A specialty store for ultralight and long-distance hiking, founded in Mitaka City, Tokyo, in 2008 under the theme “Lightness is Freedom.”In addition to retail, the store is dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of hiking culture through event organization, book publishing, and other initiatives.
Instructors: Tomoya Tsuchiya and Susumu Hasegawa of Hikers Depot
Capacity: 8 participants
*Registration is now closed, but if you wish to participate, please contact the Natori Trail Center (022-398-6181).

For program details and registration, please visit the Hikers Depot website.

Instructor: Sanpo’s Fun Lite Gear / Sanpo (Jun Sato)
Born in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. Inspired by tokusatsu and action movies, he began hiking in the mountains. After entering the workforce, his travel destinations and available time became limited, so he shifted his focus to lower mountains and local hills where he could hike for longer periods.He began creating products in the prototyping lab as a way to unwind from his day job, and launched his brand after his work gained attention overseas. Since he enjoys working with his hands, he tries to do everything by hand except for processes that take a long time. Conversely, since he’s not one for fuss on the trail, he strives to create gear that can be used intuitively.
Participation Fee: 2,000 yen (includes insurance)
Capacity: 8 people per session *Registration required (see bottom of page for details)
What to Bring: 2 350ml aluminum cans (Since these will be used as alcohol stoves, please bring cans with your favorite designs)

Mothers from Yuriage in Natori City will be preparing and serving traditional local dishes that have been enjoyed in Yuriage for generations—“Okuzugake,” “Natto Mochi,” and “Zunda Mochi”!
Why not come and enjoy Yuriage’s culinary culture while chatting with the local moms?
Date & Time: Saturday, June 18, starting at 11:30 a.m. (Event ends when supplies run out)

Lecturer 1: Photographer Koji Iwama
Born in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, in 1962. Graduated from Rikkyo University with a degree in Tourism.During his college years, he spent a total of three years traveling through Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. After working as an assistant at the Kenji Nitta Photography Office, he became a freelancer in 1990. He moved his base of operations to Paris. He returned to Japan in 1995. Since then, he has continued to photograph primarily while traveling both domestically and abroad, and remains active to this day.

Speaker 2: Satoshi Tsuchizawa, Executive Director, Sanriku Geopark Secretariat
Secretariat of the Sanriku Geopark Promotion Council (Head of the Geopark Promotion Division, Environment and Living Planning Office, Environment and Living Department, Iwate Prefectural Government). Joined the prefectural government in 1997; following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, he served for nine years along the coast, including assignments at the Reconstruction Bureau, a secondment to Otsuchi Town, and a posting in Fudai Village.

I’d like to talk about how to use maps (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan 1:25,000 topographic maps) when hiking. Map reading is not only a practical skill that helps you determine your current location and destination, but deciphering the information condensed on the map also enhances the enjoyment of hiking.

Date and Time: Sunday, June 19, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Lecturer: Mototsugu Watanabe, Nature Conservation Officer, Tohoku Regional Environment Office, Ministry of the Environment
Has held his current position since April 2021. He concurrently serves as a nature conservation officer at the Natori Nature Conservation Office and the National Parks Division, and is the official in charge of the “Michinoku Coastal Trail.”He previously worked at a travel agency specializing in mountaineering and trekking, where he planned and managed tours while spending more than 150 days a year as a guide in mountains and national parks across Japan. He resigned in April 2018 and joined the Ministry of the Environment.At his previous posting at Chubu Mountain National Park, he served as a National Park Visitor Services Planning Officer, where he was responsible for planning numerous new projects and formulating visitor promotion plans. He holds Stage III Mountain Guide certification from the Japan Mountain Guides Association (a public interest incorporated association).

Date and Time: ① Saturday, June 18, 2:30–3:30 p.m.; ② Sunday, June 19, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
*The content is the same for both sessions. Start and end times have been changed (Updated May 29).
Instructor: Shigeyoshi Niu, Michinoku Trail Club (NPO)
Born in Usuki City, Oita Prefecture. Formerly a night-owl DJ, his interests expanded to outdoor activities in the 2010s.Through repeated weekend camping and mountain climbing, he discovered various trails and has since been enjoying hiking wherever his heart takes him, both in Japan and abroad.
Participation Fee: 1,000 yen (includes materials and insurance)
Capacity: 12 people *Registration required (see the bottom of the page for registration instructions)

Lecturer 1: Hiroyuki Ishii, Michinoku Trail Club (NPO)
A native of Miyagi Prefecture, he was captivated by the Michinoku Coastal Trail—the first trail he ever hiked—and founded a company with the goal of using long-distance trails to revitalize communities. He is currently working hard to develop trails in Rifu Town.
2020: Michinoku Coastal Trail

Instructor 2: Shigeyoshi Nyu, Michinoku Trail Club (NPO)
Born in Usuki City, Oita Prefecture. Formerly a DJ who spent his nights out, his interest in outdoor activities began to grow in the 2010s.Through repeated weekend camping and mountain climbing, he discovered the existence of various trails and has since been enjoying hiking wherever his heart takes him, both in Japan and abroad.
2016: The Great Japan Loop (tentative title)
2017: Kunisaki Peninsula Mine-michi Long Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Wonderland Trail
2018: Appalachian Trail
2020: Michinoku Coastal Trail, Utsukushima Beach Road Trail (tentative)
2021: Continental Divide Trail

Slacklining is a sport similar to tightrope walking, where you enjoy balancing on a narrow, belt-like line. It’s said to help develop core strength and concentration, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. Let’s try slacklining!
Date and Time : 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on both Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th.
Cooperation : Sendai Slackline NPO
Participation fee : Free
Capacity : None *If there are many participants, you may have to wait.

Come experience “Balschule,” a ball game that originated in Germany. Even children who aren’t very athletic find themselves strangely captivated by Balschule. Why not give it a try as a casual introduction to sports for your child?
Date and Time: June 19 (Sun), 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
In Cooperation With : General Incorporated Association Tanko Kanari
Participation Fee : Free
Capacity : None *Please note that you may be asked to wait if there are a large number of participants.