The first step toward a Michinoku Coastal Trail hike is forming a plan. How many days do you want to hike? Where do you want to start and end your hike? Where will you be able to stock up on food and water? Where are you going to stay? To answer these questions and form your plan, you can use the Hiking Map Books, the DATA BOOK (also published by MCTA), the Google Map, and other online resources to get the info you need.

Choose a route that fits your situation and abilities. Do not plan to push yourself. In general, plan your hike so that you will finish before it gets dark. If you’re still hiking and it’s starting to get dark, make it a priority to move to safer areas, like the nearest paved road. Also, bring a headlight with you just in case. Headlights are a good item to have for safety and for walking through unlit tunnels. See attachment 5 for a summary of seasonal conditions along the trail including daylight times.

The route includes stream crossings and sections next to the sea that are not walkable during high tide, so check the tide charts and water level information for rivers in the area.

Natori Trail Center can provide in-depth consultations with experienced staff members about your trail plan with advance reservation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Note： Click on the facility name to go to their website.