From Mitazono Station, I walked through endless winter farmland to the Michinoku Trail Center, collecting my official passport. The staff’s warmth balanced the long, monotonous path, while snow and wind made the final stretch to Rikuzen-Takasago Station a test of mental toughness on the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

This section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail takes you from Hoso-Ura Station to Otomo Station, with stunning views of the Goishi Coast’s turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations. A mix of mountain paths, quiet villages, and sea breezes made it one of my favorite hiking days.

On New Year’s Day, I walked from Kesennuma Station across the windy Oshima Bridge, seeing both the city’s tsunami recovery and its changing character. Strong gusts and limited holiday buses cut my hike short, but reaching Oshima Island made for a powerful start to the year.

Continuing from Ichinowatari, this hike followed memorials, rugged coastlines, and scenic blowholes before reaching Jodogahama Beach. With crystal-clear water and dramatic rock formations, it was the perfect way to close the year on the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Navigating confusing signs, detours, and even scrambling up a cliff face, this section from Shintaro Station tested both patience and endurance. Passing tsunami ruins and rugged fishing ports, I ended the day short at Ichinowatari Station—humbled by how tricky the Michinoku Coastal Trail can be.

From Kurosakiso to Tanohata Station, this hike was packed with steep climbs, snowy cliffs, and the jaw-dropping views of Kitayamazaki Cape. Sketchy ladders, hand-dug caves, and encounters with the elusive Japanese serow made it exhausting—but one of the most rewarding days on the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Beginning at Horinai Station, this scenic hike passed fishing ports, tsunami sites, and hand-dug tunnels before climbing to the Kurosaki Lighthouse. Arriving early at Kurosakiso, I rewarded myself with an ocean-view onsen—an unforgettable finish to this stretch of the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Battling -15°C windchill, icy trails, and snow, this hike from Kuji Station to Itsukushima Shrine proved too dangerous to finish. With detours and strong headwinds, I turned back early, exhausted but safe—sometimes the trail reminds you when to call it a day.

Starting from the shark-themed Same Station, this winter hike to Okuki followed snowy coastal trails with icy sections and sparse facilities. Despite the challenges, the dramatic ocean scenery and frozen landscapes made for a memorable section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail.