The Yamoto area of Higashi-Matsushima (previously Yamoto Town) is a spacious plain well-suited for the air defense force and rice farming, situated at the southernmost part of Senboku Plain. Meanwhile, most of the Naruse area of Higashi-Matsushima (once Naruse Town) is part of the Matsushima Hills, with its hills coming right up to the shoreline. Go west of Naruse River and the scenery will change even more.
Cross the hills to arrive at Nobiru Station. Take a look at the place where Nobiru Stone was mined before entering Disaster Recovery Memorial Park. The platform at former Nobiru Station is preserved here as a tsunami monument. The former station building is now the Disaster Recovery Memorial Museum, with photos and videos of Higashi-Matsushima after the tsunami on display on the second floor. The first floor has tourism resources and sells souvenirs using nori seaweed, a local specialty.
Walk for a little while along Tona Canal to reach Nobiru Beach. Stop and enjoy a while. This area had many small islands including Miyato Island but they became part of the mainland due to sand buildup carried from Naruse River, and Miyato Island also became a land-tied island. Now the area has a waterway and bridge.
The part of the MCT on Miyato Island lasts for less than three kilometers, ending at Sightseeing Boat Office Aomina. Matshima Bay’s current lovely scenery, including Miyato Island, was formed 7000 years ago. People lived in Miyato island since the middle of the Jomon period, and many middens were discovered in the area, showing how long people have been continually living here.
The course here is short. Taking a side trip to go through Miyato Island would be just as captivating a hike as the rest of the MCT. Hike the 10 kilometer Miyagi Olle Oku-Matsushima Course while you’re here to experience the rich nature and history of Miyato Island. Those who really need to move on can instead go up Mt. Otakamori close to Aomina to get a great view of the area.
Hikers who want to take the boat from Aomina to the Urato islands need to make a reservation in advance through Natori Trail Center. This boat line only runs between April through the end of October. If you’re unsure when you’ll arrive in the area or coming during the boat line’s off-season, take the year-round Shiogama City ferry to the Urato Islands departing from Shiogama Port Marine Gate Shiogama.
Shiogama City has two parts, the Urato Islands and Shiogama city mainland. Both have few ups and downs and are good for day hiking. For thru-hikers, both Shiogama City and neighboring Tagajo City have a lot of sightseeing points and undeniably a lot of information to try to absorb. A nice way to enjoy this flat plains area with lots of residential neighborhoods is to stay in Shiogama, Tagajo or Sendai, leaving the heavy stuff at your lodging to enjoy unencumbered day hikes.
Urato Islands
There are three main islands of the Urato Islands, none of which are large. The MCT route goes through all three: Sabusawajima Island, Nonoshima Island, and Katsurashima Island. THe island part of the trail has only gentle slopes, for a relaxed easy hike.
Shiogama City Center
Arrive at Shiogama Port, the entrance to the Sendai domain. You have entered the Shiogama, Tagajo, and Sendai area, the heart of the Sendai domain, which had strong ties to Edo. The 50 kilometers from here to Abukuma River go through the Sendai Plain, with its modern cityscapes and ways of life.
The main commercial district that the MCT route goes through in the Sendai Plain is in harbor city Shiogama. There are especially a lot of shops and restaurants in the two kilometers from Marine Gate Shiogama, where the ferry boards, JR Senseki Line Hon-Shiogama Station and Shiogama Shrine. Sushi shops, Italian restaurants, sake breweries and tea cake shops that prospered alongside Shiogama Shrine offer hikers a chance at a full stomach. Of course, Aeon Mall is also hard to pass by.
Tagajo’s portion of the MCT route is the shortest among the municipalities at 8.5 kilometers and the zigzag route requiring frequent map checks can be a bother to hikers who have hiked in relatively straight lines just far. The route can be grouped into two areas: Kokufu area being the first half, and the second being a residential area.
The area from here until Kokufu-Tagajo Station is Tagajo Castle historical remains. In front of Kokufu-Tagajo Station is the Tohoku History Museum for learning more about the origins of the places you walked. Those coming in via Sendai Airport could visit the museum before their hike to gain a deeper understanding of the area’s background. Walk past the museum to head for Tagajo Station next, entering the residential area portion.
Don’t worry about the route too much, just relax and walk. Takajo City Library, just before Tagajo Station, is a splendid building with an extensive collection on the Tohoku region on its third floor. Don’t be scared off by the stylish ground floor, and go take a look.
After Tagajo Station is Sue no Matsuyama Pine Hill, a place referenced in waka poems and with strong ties to the 869 Jogan earthquake and tsunami. When this tsunami struck, this hill stayed above water while the surrounding area was submerged. This fact was referenced in a poem: “The day I was unfaithful to you would be the day the waves swallow Sue no Matsuyama,” meaning a change of heart would be just as unlikely as Sue no Matsuyama being inundated by waves.
Once you’ve seen Sue no Matsuyama, feel free to head for Nakanosakae Station without worrying too much about exactly following the MCT course.
Though you will technically be going through Sendai, it’s 15 kilometers of walking through Sendai Port’s buildings and the cycling course along the Teizan Canal (Shin-bori Canal). Don’t daydream of those busy streets in front of Sendai Station and think of this as an easy walk to rest your legs.
Take Yuriage Ohashi bridge to cross the Natori River and enter Natori City. The 9.5 kilometers of MCT route spent inside Natori City is the second shortest after Tagajo. Cross Natori River and Yuriage area is waiting to brighten a hiker’s day with many useful facilities and shops.
Pass in front of Natori Trail Center and veer around Masuda River before going back towards Teizan Canal to then settle on a road parallel to the canal going south. Those who want to walk along the Masuda River or Teizan Canal can also make that happen. Use the hiking senses you’ve cultivated thus far to choose your own course. Reach the Mitazono Station area for supermarkets and convenience stores to help stock up. Then, pass by Sendai Airport and reach the end of Natori City.
The MCT in Natori City starts with Natori River and goes along Teizan Canal. In Iwanuma City it starts at the canal and goes along Abukuma River. The courses along these cities resemble each other, with an elevation staying below five meters, and the highest points being the bridges. Iwanuma City has more parks including the Millenium Hope Hills parks, allowing hikers to worry less about cars. The course turns left at Minamihama Chuo Hospital and heads for Abukuma River.
Go upstream on a pleasant walking path along Abukuma River and head for Abukuma Ohashi Bridge.
Venture right from the MCT course at Abukuma Ohashi Bridge for supermarket York Benimaru and go further to reach Iwanuma center center. Iwanuma was an inn town at the meeting point between the Oshu Kaido and Edo Kaido roads and even now both the JR Tohoku Main Line and Joban Lines pass through here. Iwanuma has many historical places of interest including Takekoma Shrine.