Summary of Trail Maintenance in Collaboration with CCC
Starting in September 2025, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) came to Japan to collaborate on maintenance work along the Michinoku Coastal Trail.
What is CCC?
California Conservation Corps (CCC) Website
CCC is a trail conservation organization (an organization that trains personnel for trail maintenance, wildfire response, and other tasks) that operates under the authority of the State of California; it is a public program for young people run by the State of California. Participating youth receive a stipend while working on nature conservation and public works projects.
Itinerary
Over the course of about two weeks, the seven members of CCC walked along the Michinoku Coastal Trail together to identify problem areas, assess them, and, through repeated discussions with local government officials, representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, and the Michinoku Trail Club, carried out maintenance work.
September 14 (Sun) CCC Visits the Natori Trail Center
September 15 (Mon) Survey of Shihoyama, Watari Town
September 16 (Tue) Hiking at Tanezashi Coast, Hachinohe City
September 17 (Wed) Hirono Town andKuji City—Survey of the Takaya River
September 18 (Thu)—Kamaishi City—Survey of Toriyasaka andKuwadai Pass Survey
September 19 (Fri) Kamaishi City_Kuwadai Pass Trail Maintenance
September 22 (Mon) Kamaishi City_Ishizuka Pass Survey
September 23(Tue) Kamaishi City_Trail Maintenance at Ishizuka Pass
September 24 (Wed) Ofunato City_Survey at Ayasazaki
September 25 (Thu) Ofunato City_Survey at Ayasato Pass
September 27 (Sat) “Trail Maintenance Meeting 2025 in Ofunato” Symposium
September 28 (Sun) “Trail Maintenance Meeting 2025 in Ofunato” Trail Maintenance
September 30 (Tue) Trail Maintenance at Ayasazaki, Ofunato City
October 1 (Wed) Trail Maintenance at Ayasato Pass, Ofunato City
Trail Maintenance Details
We’ve compiled the details on each trail’s maintenance here.
① Kamaishi City: Trail Maintenance at Kuwadai Pass
② Kamaishi City: Trail Maintenance at Ishizuka Pass
③ Ofunato City: Trail Maintenance at Ayasazaki
④ Ofunato City: Trail Maintenance at Ayasato Pass
Reflection
After completing their maintenance work on the Michinoku Coastal Trail, CCC members visited the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco to submit a report.
California Conservation Corps Visits the Consulate
This time, I was deeply impressed by their politeness and their commitment to discipline. I also had the opportunity to experience their warm and humorous personalities. I was also impressed by their earnest approach to observing the trail and their efforts to identify the best course of action based on theory.
We have mutually pledged to continue valuing our friendly relationship and working together in the future. We will keep you informed of any new developments.
Article by: Ryota Matsukawa