Just 35 minutes from Sendai, Rairaikyo Gorge is a peaceful spot lined with mossy rocks and a flowing river. The short 1 km trail winds right below onsen hotels and busy roads, yet feels completely quiet once you descend into the gorge. A quick, refreshing nature escape before heading back to the city.

What began as a quick visit to the Michinoku Coastal Trail Center turned into a reflective winter walk through Natori’s quiet farmlands and coastline. This stretch of the trail, shaped by the 2011 tsunami, offers a humbling glimpse into nature’s recovery and the strength of the communities that rebuilt along its path.

A morning in Kesennuma: hike Mount Anba, visit Osugi Shrine, stroll the fish market, and enjoy panoramic city and bay views before heading back to Sendai.

To kick off the new year, I hiked from Kesennuma to Oshima Island along the Michinoku Coastal Trail. The walk followed quiet coastal roads and crossed the impressive Kesennuma–Oshima Ohashi Bridge—a powerful symbol of the region’s recovery after the 2011 tsunami. Despite strong winds and a limited New Year’s schedule, it was a memorable start to the year surrounded by sea views and quiet resilience.