One place on the Michinoku Coastal Trail hikers should get ready for is the Koge River wading point, which is at the border between Hirono Town and Kuji City in Iwate Prefecture (see Hiking Map Book 1-8). The river is normally about 3 meters wide and split into two with a rocky sandbar in the middle (no sandbar and a single flow further upstream?). This is an adventurous point with no bridge or stepping stones to get across, so hikers who decide to cross here are going to need to get in and wade to get across. Please keep this in mind: there is no way to get across without wading through.

”What is Koge River’s water level today?”

Natori Trail Center gets asked this question a lot, but unfortunately we don’t know what the water level is day by day, so we’re unable to answer. Keep an eye on how much rainfall there is from a couple days before, but I think you have to go in person, see for yourself and then decide whether to cross.

Normally, the water level should be around knee height. Decide whether you’re comfortable crossing based on that day’s water level and strength of flow. If you decide against crossing and take the detour instead, that does mean doubling back and covering a much longer distance, but you must NOT cross against your better judgment. Even if you’ve already started to cross, if you start to feel like it’s a bad idea, be brave and protect yourself: turn back.
For more information on the detour, see this page.

Where should I cross?

If you’re heading south, there’s a counter for hikers set up near where you arrive at Koge River. (First press that counter once so we can count you!) I tend to cross right where that counter is, but some hikers report that if you go a little further upstream from there, there’s a point where the river is calmer.

In any case, your feet are going to get wet, and whether you’re going north or south, you will need to see for yourself and use your judgment on where/whether you can cross.

How to cross

・No bare feet. You are very likely to injure the soles of your feet. Use shoes that can dry easily (like trail runners) or outdoor sandals with straps.

・You may not be able to see the river bed. Take short steps and slide your feet, looking for places to step next.

・Where there are stable rocks etc. a suitable distance from each other, it may be possible to use them as stepping stones to cross, but unless the water level is very low I find that to be unlikely.
If you force the issue and try to use the rocks, you could fall and injure yourself. If you cross, it’s safer to accept that your feet will get wet and just wade through.

・Try to turn your body slightly toward upstream while walking in the direction you’re going. When the current is strong, turn face upstream and walk sideways like a crab, sliding your feet along the river bed. If you’re using trekking poles, place them toward the upstream side to help stabilize.

・Keep the chest and waist straps on your back unbuckled so you can get your pack off immediately in case you fall.
If you get carried away by the current with your backpack still on you, the pack’s floating action could cause you to face down in the water and drown.

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The Koge river wading point was included in the MCT route at the urging of the late Noriyoshi Kato, an outdoor writer and advocate for the Michinoku Coastal Trail. He wanted the Michinoku Coastal Trail to include adventurous nature experiences.

For those walking southbound, the Koge River is like the entrance point to a physically demanding section of the trail, while to those going northbound, it’s like an exit point towards easier walking.

Remember, never try to cross if you don’t feel good about it. And when you think “let’s do it!” and want to just go for it, that is exactly when you should stop, keep cool and think logically about what to do. Have fun and above all, please be safe.

(Manabu Itaya, Michinoku Trail Club and Special thanks to Anna Thomas, our volunteer translator.)