The Michinoku Coastal Trail is one of the “Green Reconstruction Project” set of initiatives formed by the Ministry of the Environment after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. The core of this project to help Tohoku recover from the 2011 disaster was the creation of the Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Ministry of the Environment, the four prefectures and 29 municipalities* the trail runs through, private groups and local people, the MCT course was released in sections over the course of years. Finally, the entire course leading from Kabushima, Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture to Matsukawaura, Soma, Fukushima Prefecture was opened as a national trail of over 1000 kilometers long on June 9th, 2019.

The Michinoku Coastal Trail boasts lovely scenery unique to the Tohoku Pacific Coast: beautiful views of dynamic ocean, rivers, villages and forest. The local ways of life, accumulated history and culture of people coexisting with nature were formed alongside the harsh yet rich blessings of nature and continue to the present day.  Another wonderful part of this trail is forming warm connections formed with people during your walk.

Joys and new discoveries that only reveal themselves for a journey on foot are waiting for you.

Come hike the MCT in Tohoku and meet them.

*In March 2023, Kakuda City in Miyagi Prefecture joined the Michinoku Coastal Trail management plan, and the MCT now officially goes through four prefectures and twenty-nine cities, towns and villages.