Between south Fudai and north Miyako, the coastal shelves transition to tall cliffs.
The terrace starting in south Fudai, continuing on through Tanohata and into north Iwaizumi has huge cliffs including the well-known Kitayamazaki and Unosu Cliffs, with few ups and downs. Because the coastal area has been left mostly undeveloped, rich nature remains along the MCT route, and starting with the approximately 15 kilometers of the Kitayamazaki Nature Trail, hikers can experience some of the purest wilderness along the MCT. Walk past Taro and while the course drops in elevation, there are frequent ups and downs: when the course climbs up a terrace it doesn’t continue into a spacious flat area, instead dipping back down right away. Natural path that, like Kosode Nature Trail, is made possible through lots of steps continues on for 50 kilometers. Village and town areas lie in the valleys, so one noticeable feature about the latter portion of the coastal terrace area is repeatedly coming down from the cliffs to enter village areas to then climb back up to the next cliffs again. Village areas frequently appear on the route, and therefore so do facilities for rest and stocking up. Hikers will need to carry less food on them compared to in the Tanohata area. Cross Fudai River to enter the second half of the coastal shelves and more natural hiking trail. From Otanabe Fishing Harbor, walk right next to gorgeous ocean scenery that will show why this area has the unusual nickname of “Blue Country Fudai.” The less than 1 kilometer of the Nedarihama Nature Trail ending in Nedarihama Beach also has unforgettable scenery for a walking course, with waves crashing in right nearby.
After you reach Kurosaki Viewpoint, you’ll be able to enjoy walking along flat land for a while on Kitayamazaki Nature Trail. At Kokumin Shukusha Kurosakiso, stay the night or enjoy the day-use hot springs. The free Fudai Village bus goes back to Fudai Station, making Kurosakiso a possible base for hiking in the nearby MCT.
You’ll probably find yourself having entered Tanohata Village without noticing. The Kitayamazaki Visitor Center marks the ends of the northern part of the MCT in Tanohata. The coastal area of Tanohata Village is cliffside with limited fishing village scenery, and along with Iwaizumi you can see the farm scenery unique to the Kitakami highlands. While Tanohata is a challenging place to stock up on supplies along the MCT, Maruwa Fish Store in Raga area sells groceries and Hotel Ragaso sells local products and souvenirs so you can buy snacks and other high energy food good for eating and walking. Encounter the first stream wading point since the Unosu Cliffs with Yayoi Stream. Like Tanohata, Iwaizumi is a plateau right up to the ocean and so the scenery is of Kitakami highlands mountain culture.
From Gotenzaki is Oushinai Nature Trail, which is an easy walk of about 5 kilometers ending in Omoto, Iwaizumi Town. Forestry is a big industry here and the area is well maintained, though this sometimes means detours during logging and maintenance. These detours can go through dairy farming areas which in itself is a fun experience and change in scenery.
Entering Omoto area marks the end of the large cliffs of the first half of the southern coastal shelf. Stock up at shops near the station and get ready for the second half. Miyako City border is coming up right after Omoto and Moshi area.
Past Taro, there are more frequent ups and downs. On the 20 kilometers starting in Taro and ending at Takonohama Beach just before Jodogahama Beach the course dips down to coastline before climbing up again nine times. On the other hand, this route has many beaches and viewpoints that are not normally easy to visit like Mattsuki Beach. One of the great things about Miyako’s section is its views. Rest areas make frequent appearances and you can hike knowing people are around nearby. Taro has convenience stores and a Michi no Eki (roadside station) with many local specialities for sale, and hotel Greenpia Sanriku Miyako has a hot spring for bathing as well as laundry facilities and a shop.
Everything a hiker might need for the trail is available. As the MCT course enters Jodogahama Nature Trail, it winds along Anegasaki Campground and Kyukamura Rikuchu Miyako, so hikers can enjoy camping with hot springs, and a different hiking experience from the wilderness of Tanohata area. Miyako’s section of the MCT at 98 kilometers is the third longest after Ishinomaki and Kesennuma, and has by far the most natural hiking paths at about 42 kilometers. The essence of the 1000 kilometer long MCT is packed in the Miyako section, so this is a great section for hikers unable to hike the entire MCT and interested in hiking a section during a longer holiday. Considering access to the area, hiking the whole Miyako section would need three days and four nights.