North section -Hachinohe to Kuji-
In this northernmost part, walk along a coastal terrace. This coastal terrace was formed by plateaus formed at the bottom of the ocean which protruded upward to make a series of stair-like flat areas from north to south. This formation is especially striking along the Hachinohe section, and in the first 8 kilometers hikers can enjoy the least ups and downs along the MCT route accompanied by scenic beauty.
Only 14 kilometers, or 1.4 percent of the whole MCT is inside Hachinohe City, but the rich variety of scenery including natural paths, walking trails, beaches, and natural lawn along the route will keep you entertained. This section is flat and easy to walk, and places like Tanesashi Coast Visitor Information Center are great for information gathering for your hike. For southbounders, this area is perfect for getting your legs ready.
Enter Hashikami Town. Just as you were getting used to the coastal scenery, the course moves away from the ocean and we are among fields. The Sanriku Coast doesn’t just depend on the ocean: the Kitakami highlands play a major role as the source of nutrients carried into the ocean. While coastal life still revolves around fishing, venture towards the mountains to see that agriculture and livestock are also major industries, with these two worlds being inseparable and complementary.
Catch glimpses of rural culture in places like Forestpia Hashikami on the way to Mt. Hashikamidake, and gaze at free range cattle from Hashikamidake Pasture as you walk. The MCT guides you through the culture and wonders of Sanriku which can’t be fully conveyed through the coast alone.
Only a little less than 34 kilometers of the MCT lie inside Hashikami Town. Of the 20 kilometers that are on regular roads, the majority is the approach to Mt. Hashikamidake. The hiking trail up the mountain is also unusually long at 8 kilometers. Getting through this entire section in one day would be difficult, so plan to stay one night in the area.
Next is Hirono Town, the northernmost town in Iwate Prefecture. The scenery and vibe of the coastal terrace doesn’t change drastically upon entering Hirono Town. With no striking border between towns like a pass or valley, it might take a bit to notice you’ve entered Hirono at some point.
Hirono’s landscape not only makes for an easier walk, but there are a lot of facilities a hiker could want along the way, including hot spring hotel Marinside Spa Taneichi, Taneichi Seaside Park’s campground, budget accommodation/coworking space Hiroknot, and Universe supermarket. Very reassuring for a nervous hiker approaching their start date.
Kokegawa River at the border between Hirono Town and Kuji City can be said to be the most in-earnest wading point on the MCT course. The river level swells after heavier rains, for example, so there are likely more days the river is not actually crossable than otherwise. Those uneasy about wading through the river or who would prefer certainty should plan early to take the detour instead.
Kuji City’s section can be classified into northern and southern parts, with the city area in the middle. In the northern part, Samuraihama-cho, the climb up after Kokegawa River wading point is very steep but after that lies a relatively gently sloping natural hiking trail along the coastal terrace. This natural trail consisting of Tsubutahama Walkway, Takkonoki Walkway, and Mugyo Village Walkway goes on for 11 kilometers. Hikers can enjoy their first flat hike on an unpaved trail.
Kuji City is the first large city since the start of the MCT, offering plenty of opportunities for hotel stays, food and drink, and stocking up on supplies. The way ahead is long. Don’t overdo it at this early stage and make sure to take enough zero days. Next is tackling the steep hike waiting in southern Kuji.
South section – Kuji to Central Fudai–
The road walk from Kuji city center to Kosode village, where Kosode Ama Center is located, should be enjoyable and relatively easy. Next up is 7.5 kilometers of the Kosode Nature Trail, starting in Kosode area, which is a series of valleys and plateaus formed by streams. These repeated ups and downs are rough on the knees. There aren’t any facilities or rest spots on the Kosode Nature Trail course, and while Misaki Fishing Harbor is on the way, it’s away from nearby villages and there are few people, with only a stream for water. Plan to take twice as much as it would usually take to cover this distance. If possible, stay somewhere in Kuji City so you don’t have to carry much.
While the length of the MCT section in Noda is relatively short at 18 kilometers, you won’t be bored by the scenery as you walk through sandy beaches, town landscape, walking courses in parks, and logging roads. The oceanside parts of the course have few ups and downs, and the city center has Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Noda, local supermarkets, and there are restaurants, sweet shops and food stores near Atago-jinja Shrine. You could say Noda is kind of an oasis for tired hikers to recover from the Kosode Nature Trail in southern Kuji or the stream walking in north Fudai.
Fudai’s section is also a relatively short 23 kilometers. About half of that distance, 11.6 kilometers, is natural trail or walking path, with the natural trail along Mt. Urube in the northern portion being especially challenging. Many spots are less maintained and there is the most “off-trail” part of the MCT walking down a stream for about 400 meters. Keep in mind that the main route is only passable during good weather and with less rainfall, so if you have less confidence in your hiking skills and strength or want to enjoy a more relaxing hike, choose the detour for your MCT journey.
Get past the challenging hike and next is the town center. One nice feature of the MCT is it goes through shopping streets , like the main street in Fudai sometimes known as “Abbey Road shopping street.” Here are tasty treats perfect for snacking and walking, like tofu dengaku, sweet shops, and bread shops. A hiker, and their stomach, might be reluctant to leave the area.