Q2. How do I access the trail by car or public transportation?
You can see access details inside each Map Book, but see below for an overview.
You can also check the web page below for information on access to major cities along the trail route.
Access: https://mct-a.org/en/hike/access/
Major public transportation networks along the MCT (train lines including BRT lines and bus lines)
| Area name | Transportation network name |
|---|---|
| Hachinohe to Kuji | JR Hachinohe Line |
| Kuji to Ofunato | Sanriku Railway |
| Ofunato to Minamisanriku | BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) JR Ofunato Line, JR Kesennuma Line |
| Minamisanriku to Ishinomaki, Kitakami, Ogatsu to Onagawa | Transit bus/local bus |
| Onagawa Town to Sendai | JR Senseki Line |
| Tagajo to Iwanuma | JR Tohoku Main Line |
| Sendai City to Natori City | Sendai Airport Access Line |
| Watari to Soma | JR Joban Line |
Note: Click the links to go to each transportation network’s web site (Japanese)
There are other transit buses and community buses in areas along the MCT. To get more information, you can ask local governments and tourism associations and satellite facilities.
The areas on the MCT you will need to use boats are listed below. We recommend you check boat line details before you start your trip, because boats can take a limited number of passengers and may not run some days/times. Sometimes boat rides can be canceled due to bad weather, so check in advance to make sure your boat is still running.
| Area name | Boat line name |
|---|---|
| Mt. Kinkasan (Ishinomaki) | To/from Ayukawa Port Kinkasan Kanko Cruise Sea Dream Kinkasan Steamship Co., Ltd To/from Onagawa port Ushio Planning Co., Ltd. |
| Tashirojima Island, Ajishima Island (Ishinomaki) | Ajishima Line |
| Miyato (Higashi-Matsushima) to Sabusawajima Island (Shiogama City) | Special MCT line (April through October only. Make your reservation a week in advance.) |
| Sabusawajima Island to Nonoshima Island to Katsurashima Island (Shiogama City) | Urato Islands Ferry Boat |
| Sabusawajima Island to Nonoshima Island to Katsurashima Island to Marine Gate Shiogama (Shiogama City) | Shiogama City Ferry |
Note : Click on the boat line name to go to each boat line’s website (Japanese)
See attachment 6 for major parking lot information for when you use your car. Please contact the parking lot manager for information on rates and usage times. We also recommend parking the parking lot manager in advance if you want to park your car for a long period of time or park larger vehicles like busses.
Also note that camping is not allowed at many parking lots, and some parking lots do not allow sleeping in your car.