There are 12 inhabited islands in the Tohoku region, and among them, eight islands in Miyagi Prefecture (Oshima in Kesennuma City; Aji-jima, Tashiro-jima, and Kinkasan in Ishinomaki City; Kanazawa-jima, Nono-jima, and Katsura-jima in Shiogama City;Miyato Island in Higashimatsushima City) are part of the Michinoku Coastal Trail route.In this article, I’ll provide information and suggestions regarding access to the islands reached by ferry—the Urado Islands in Shiogama City, Tashirojima, Amajijima, and Kinkasan in Ishinomaki City—which are frequently asked about, as well as precautions to keep in mind when hiking on these remote islands.
*Please note that when traveling to the island by boat, schedules may be subject to change—such as cancellations or changes to port of call—depending on sea conditions on the day of travel. We recommend checking the operating status in advance on the websites of the shipping companies for each route or at their ticket counters.
*Camping is prohibited in the Remote Islands Section, with the exception of the tent site at Manga Island on Tashirojima (please strictly observe the usage period listed below). Please strictly comply with this rule so as not to cause any inconvenience to local residents.
There are 8 tent sites available.
(Open from April 25 to October 31, 2024; overnight stays are available every Wednesday through Sunday / Reservations required)
Please click here for more details.
Urado Islands
The Urado Islands offer an itinerary that combines boat trips and hiking, as described below.
[Hiking Map Book 9-4]
Shiogama City: Marine Gate Shiogama ⇔
・For details on ferries departing from Marine Gate Shiogama and inter-island ferry services, please refer to the Shiogama City website.
・The free inter-island ferry service operates on a call-and-pickup basis at the pier, so there is no schedule.
*Please note that the ferry service between Katsura Island and Nono Island is suspended on Sundays and national holidays from November through March, as well as from December 29 through January 3. All inter-island ferry services are suspended during these periods.
・There are lodging facilities such as guesthouses and B&Bs on Katsura Island and Kanazawa Island. We recommend staying overnight on the islands to enjoy a leisurely visit.
Reservations for the Ferry Between Kanbazawa Island and Miyato Island, Higashimatsushima City
This route is operated with the cooperation of local captains, a dedicated route for the Michinoku Coastal Trail . Since this is not a scheduled ferry service, reservations must be made “at least 5 days in advance.”
・Please note that since this ferry service is operated by a local fishing boat with the cooperation of a local captain, we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date and time.
・Please check the hiking map book, but each island is no more than about 4 km long and is mostly flat. When booking a ferry from Kanazawa Island to Miyato Island, please plan your schedule and choose your boarding time based on your own pace.
・Operating Period: April 15–November 14 (The operating period has changed starting in fiscal year 2026)
・Schedules: 〈Departing from Miyato Island〉 9:00 a.m./11:00 a.m./12:00 p.m.
〈Kanpuzawa Island〉11:00 a.m./1:00 p.m./3:00 p.m.
・Fare: 〈Adults〉 4,000 yen per person
〈Children〉 1,000 yen per person (under junior high school age)
*The minimum number of passengers required for the trip is 1.
*Payment is cash only. Please pay the captain on-site on the day of the trip.
*Please note that the tour may be canceled due to weather conditions on the day of the tour.
・How to Reserve (Phone Only)
Advance reservations required *Reservations must be made at least 5 days prior to your desired boarding date.
Please provide the following information when making your reservation: 1. Full Name 2. Cell Phone Number 3. Date and Time of Boarding 4. Boarding Location 5. Number of Passengers
Reservation Desk: Michinoku Coastal Trail, Natori Trail Center
Phone: 022-398-6181
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed every Tuesday)
For information on the ferry, please refer to the Michinoku Trail Club website.
Tashirojima, Amijijima
The following itinerary combines boat trips and hiking to explore Tashirojima and Amajijima.
[Hiking Map Book 8-6, 7]
Ishinomaki Central Port ⇔ Tashirojima Odomari Port ⇔ Hiking ⇔ Tashirojima Nitoda Port ⇔ Aji Island Line(Scheduled Ferry) ⇔ Aji Island Aji Port ⇔ Hiking ⇔ Aji Island Futawashi Port ⇔ Aji Island Line (Scheduled Ferry) Ayukawa Port or Ishinomaki Central Port
To reach Tashirojima and Amajishima, take the “Amajishima Line.”
The Amajishima Line website includes not only the schedule but also service updates and important notes, so please be sure to check it in advance.
*The Amijishima Line schedule listed at the end of Volume 8 of the Hiking Map Book (Vol. 1) is for reference only. Please check the Amijishima Line website for the latest schedule before setting out on your hike.
・Port of call may change depending on sea conditions and tides, so we recommend checking the latest information in advance. If the port of call is limited to only one side of the island, the route will be a round trip, so please be very careful when managing your schedule.
・During Golden Week and other peak periods, ferries to Tashiro Island may be fully booked due to the influx of tourists. We recommend planning your trip with plenty of time to spare.
・Gas cylinders and fuel alcohol are classified as hazardous materials and are generally prohibited from being brought into passenger cabins.
For more details on this, please check the Amaji Island Line website .
・There are also lodging facilities on Amajishima and Tashirojima. We recommend staying overnight on the islands to enjoy a leisurely visit.
Mount Kinka
While we recommend allowing two and a half to three hours to walk the route, since the main purpose of the scheduled tours is to visit the shrine, the typical stay on the island is about one and a half to two hours.
Although Kinka-san is often described as difficult to access, it is home to the Kinka-san Kogane-yama Shrine, which is said to be particularly sacred. It’s also home to Japanese deer and Japanese macaques, and features giant and uniquely shaped trees, making it a section with plenty of natural and scenic highlights—a delightful hike that you should definitely experience at least once.
[Hiking Map Book 8-5]
*As of April Reiwa 7, the maximum layover time for scheduled services from Ayukawa is 2 hours and 10 minutes, and for those from Onagawa, it is 2 hours and 25 minutes. Please check the timetables of each carrier.
Below are several suggested itineraries that allow you to hike the trails on Mt. Kinkasan at a leisurely pace. (Listed in no particular order)
・Take advantage of the additional ferry services during holidays such as New Year’s and the annual festival to explore the area on foot
. On holidays, there are additional ferry services from both Ayukawa Port and Onagawa Port, so if you take an early morning ferry to the island, you’ll have plenty of time to walk the route. Please check the websites of the respective ferry companies for details.
・Take a special ferry from Onagawa Port and explore on foot
While the regular Sunday ferry does indeed allow for a stay of about an hour and a half, there are special ferries that let you stay on the island for about three hours, so please check the Shio Planning Co., Ltd. website for details.
(As of May Reiwa 8, the regular ferry from Onagawa allows for a stay of 1 hour and 50 minutes. )
・Stay overnight and hike at Kinkazan Koganezan Shrine
We recommend taking a special ferry from Onagawa Port or a water taxi from Ayukawa Port to reach the shrine, spending the night at the Kinkazan Koganezan Shrine’s assembly hall, and enjoying a leisurely stay on Kinkazan Island.
The fee for the overnight retreat (including the “First Prayer” and two meals) is 12,000 yen.
・Travel by boat from Ayukawa Port
Regular ferry services from Ayukawa Port generally operate only on Saturdays and Sundays, but special or shared trips may also be available. We recommend checking the websites of each company for details on fares and other information before making your plans.
Kinkazan Cruise Co., Ltd.: 0120-489-918
Kinkazan Ferry Co., Ltd.: 0120-14-1055
Kinkazan Ferry Route Business Cooperative: 0225-44-1850
You can also charter a water taxi. There are other water taxi operators besides the two companies listed above, so please contact them directly.
Sightseeing Boat Nabe-chan: 090-7074-7717 (Direct line to the captain)
In addition, the Ishinomaki Tourism Association’s website provides clear and easy-to-understand information, so please check it out as well.
・Combining scheduled ferries from Ayukawa Port to Onagawa Port to hike the trail
This is a rather unconventional method, so I don’t actively recommend it, but since some hikers have used this approach to hike Mt. Kinkasan, I’m sharing it here.
The plan is to take the 10:30 a.m. ferry from Ayukawa Port, arriving at Kinkasan at 10:50 a.m., and then hike the trail during the 2 hours and 40 minutes before the 1:30 p.m. ferry departs Kinkasan for Onagawa Port. You’ll need to check with each ferry company regarding fares.
While Kinkasan is a place where you can enjoy abundant nature and scenic views, it is also an island of spiritual significance, home to the historic Kinkasan Kogane-yama Shrine. As you walk along the trails, why not take a moment to reflect on the Shugendo ascetics who trained here at this site, known as one of the Three Great Sacred Sites of Tōō?
Also, since this is both a national park and a sacred island, please do not remove anything from Kinkasan under any circumstances.
*Please note that the deer near Kinkazan Koganezan Shrine, while accustomed to people, are still wild deer.
Please keep that in mind when interacting with others.
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That concludes our summary of how to access the Remote Islands section and the important notes.
While the remote islands section does involve some time constraints due to the need to take a boat, it’s a charming section where you can experience a unique travel atmosphere and enjoy the laid-back vibe that’s unique to the islands. This route lets you feel the sea up close—a hallmark of the Michinoku Coastal Trail—so we highly recommend giving it a try.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Natori Trail Center.
〈Michinoku Coastal Trail Natori Trail Center Tel: 022-398-6121 Email: info@mct-a.org〉
