The Michinoku Coastal Trail is one of the “Green Reconstruction Project” set of initiatives formed by the Ministry of the Environment after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.

The MCT’s official name is actually the “Tohoku Pacific Coast Nature Trail.” It is a long distance nature trail spanning over 1000 kilometers, passing through four prefectures and 28 municipalities along Tohoku’s Pacific Coast. Thanks to cooperative efforts between the Ministry of the Environment, local governments, private groups and local people, the MCT course was gradually released in sections. Finally, on June 9th, 2019, the entire course leading from Kabushima, Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture to Matsukawaura, Soma, Fukushima Prefecture was complete as a national trail of over 1000 kilometers long.

The MCT goes through the Sanriku Fukko National Park (between Hachinohe , Aomori Prefecture and Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture) and the Sanriku Geopark (between Hachinohe and Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture) and boasts lovely scenery unique to the Tohoku Pacific Coast： beautiful views of dynamic ocean, rivers, villages and forest. The local ways of life, accumulated history and culture of people coexisting with nature were formed alongside nature’s harsh yet rich blessings and continue here to the present day. Another wonderful part of this trail is the warm connections formed with people during your walk. Joys and new discoveries that only reveal themselves for a journey on foot are waiting for you. Come hike the MCT in Tohoku and meet them.