The Best Section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail in Japan

I hiked from Kitayamazaki ( goo.gl/maps/qC... ) to the Ragaso Hotel ( goo.gl/maps/NR... ), which I think has some of the best landscape in the entire 1,000km Michinoku Coastal Trail. I also love the area to the north of the Unosu Cliffs ( goo.gl/maps/G9... ) but to hike that far down in one day I'd need to start early and have a nice long June day, not these crazy short winter ones.
The video I mentioned where you can take a boat along this route is here: • Riding a boat up the m...
I can be your guide hiking along the coast, or just taking you to a few great spots by car (or anywhere else in the region). This page is still incomplete- but am expanding and adding more details here soon: gonorth.jp/ser... Feel free to reach out on Instagram, email through the channel, or however you want to contact me!
The government website has lots of great information and maps: tohoku.env.go.j...
The section I hiked this time is here: tohoku.env.go.j...
If you like my videos and would like to help me produce more and better videos, consider supporting me on Patreon! / gonorthjapan
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#michinoku #michinokucoastaltrail #tohoku
Gear used in this video (links are affiliate links, if you purchase anything through them I get a tiny percentage which nevertheless helps me continue to make these videos):
GoPro HERO9 Black (amzn.to/3pCCEA8)
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom (amzn.to/3aDiqSW)
Sony ZV-1 (amzn.to/3duiq9v)

[@CuzicanAerospace]

Does anyone else ever feel bad about Quinlan leaving a camera behind to get footage of him walking past, knowing that he'd have to double back to grab the camera?

[@EllenHiller]

yes absolutely

[@calgrier]

I wonder if he could get away with using the drone to avoid doubling back (as in sitting a drone on a rock and flying it remotely to retrieve it)

[@abdulm2609]

Yeah. It's a tough one without a second person. I don't think it's necessary at least for my entertainment but i get it adds value for some.

[@GoNorthJapan]

The drone would be even harder though, because it takes a while to unpack it, re-calibrate the compass, and pilot it... actually less stressful to just set down the camera and walk back and forth. :) But it does mean that sometimes I just don't feel like doing it. Went on a nice snowshoe hike yesterday- my first rather long one of this season, and I didn't have the energy to set down the camera and walk back and forth...

[@GoNorthJapan]

And even with a second person, I feel back about making someone else do the legwork, so I still go back and get it even in that case...

[@cypriennezed5640]

I feel like the trail is a good mix of high adventure in nature and checking back in with civilization on the road -- excitement and safety! 🎉

[@GoNorthJapan]

Oh yeah- that's a good way to think about it!

[@endangeredmarmot4518]

Stunning hike! The trees, the views, the beaches, adn the colour of the water - pure natural art.

[@alex-rv-uk]

Another great video, thanks Quinlan, love those coastal walks, always plenty of up'n'downs but the views are usually spectacular. If you ever get to the UK you have to make time for some of the south west coast path in England or the west coast of Scotland. The shot of that broken seawall and the scene behind it was heart breaking, to imagine what was there before that fateful day. But life goes on....

[@GoNorthJapan]

I would definitely love to explore those parts of England and Scotland! Scotland in particular is high on my list!

[@chrstopherblighton-sande2981]

Such beautiful shots in this video, you really have an eye for beauty, and surrounded by so much of it along that stunning coastline, it must have been more of a challenge deciding what not to include in the video than what to include. I especially loved the shot around the 10 minute mark where you're walking the path between the pine trees with the ocean either side, gorgeous! The waves at the end were beautiful to watch too. Is the coast there usually snow free at this time of year or has it just not been a very snowy winter? Thanks again Quinlan for making this content, it's such an enjoyable corner of the internet.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks!! Yeah- the way the sun shone down and reflected off the water was really nice! And yeah- I never get tired of watching waves.. Yeah- there is usually no snow right on the coast this time of year. The ocean keeps there from being any real accumulation even if it get a bit.

[@kirbyesque]

Can’t wait to return to Tohoku. ❤

[@grenm9]

That must of smelt wonderful with all the pine trees around you

[@GoNorthJapan]

It did!

[@ChronicUnderachiever1]

The Michinoku Coastal Trail is awesome! I have aspirations to section hike the entirety of it while I live in Japan. So far, I've done the first 30 miles or so starting in Hachinohe - south from Hachinohe, West to Mount Hashikami, East back to the coast. I'm stoked to see this section in person when the time comes!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Section hiking it is the way to go, agreed! Nice!

[@SirReginaldRutherford]

Quinlan making some of the best, most chill content on KZbin.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thank you!

[@private-hokkaido]

階段の上り下りを見るだけで、疲れました。お陰様でこの神秘な美景が４Kで観賞できました。お疲れ様でした！

[@fresh_rage]

The Hachinohe area is such a hidden tresure. I feel like nearly no one knows how beautiful it is around there

[@GoNorthJapan]

Ah, you mean the Tanesashi Coast area? That is beautiful, yeah!

[@laurenbouchie2394]

What a very beautiful area! Thanks for taking us along, it was beautiful! I love the ocean, I miss it very much!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it!

[@maureen4056]

I actually got to go there my very first year in Japan on a group trip. It's been so long, I couldn't remember the name of it, but I still have some of my pictures from it. Beautiful place and had some really good tempura shrimp after the hike at the restaurant in the parking area for this trail. Wish I could go back.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Oh nice!! I'll have to try that restaurant sometime. Haven't ever eaten there.

[@maureen4056]

@@GoNorthJapan I was there in 91, so I'm wondering if the restaurant is still there. You'll have to let me know, if you go back there.

[@GoNorthJapan]

@@maureen4056 Oh, ok yeah.. I'll take a look and see if I see one that fits your description.

[@wishyouwerehere-nicnangesa3685]

I love this trail. Angela and I actually cycles down from Hachinohe and ended up in Minami soma. This trail has some many amazing memories and truly fell in love bonding over the trip. ❤

[@GoNorthJapan]

Sounds dreamy!!

[@xenawarriorhousewife2115]

Love this coastal walk . 😊

[@AMAR9933]

Just commented on your older Kitayamazaki video and then saw this one! This is exactly the section I want to hike so thanks so much for filming it

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad that it was helpful! I'm about to head out to a 5-day guiding trip on the coast from later today!

[@AMAR9933]

@@GoNorthJapan That sounds amazing! Hope the weather is good.

[@brewstergallery]

This trail is an absolute must for me. One day I will do it. Thanks for this and the other videos you have made there.

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad that you will come to experience it someday!

[@さあい-x8w]

魅力的な動画ありがとうございます。 洞窟を抜けるごとに隠れた絶景、見事です。 クルマですぐ行けないところだからか、真に自然を感じますね！ 遊歩道から見た木の幹と海のバランスがとっても良かったです。行くなら今の時期が良いかも！

[@GoNorthJapan]

うん！すごく綺麗な穴場たくさんありますよ！どんな季節でもいいと思います！

[@didriksen86]

It's always a treat to watch the new content!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks!

[@walksexplorationsnewzealan6144]

Definitely a trail I would like to do the next time I can visit Japan. Another great video Quinlan. Looking forward to the next one.😎👍

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks! I do think this is definitely the most fun part of the MCT!

[@michaelsmith7193]

Wonderful outing! And, oh, that shot and the framing from about 9:50 to 10:15 - superb! Lots of good cardio along that trail!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks! And yeah- no joke on the cardio!

[@chocjamie]

That water is so beautiful!

[@GoNorthJapan]

It really is, isn't it!

[@hokut3n]

Those vistas... Nice!

[@jennevieve_]

Your coastal trail videos are some of my favorites! The scenery is gorgeous, and the trail looks like a lot of fun even with all those stairs lol. Thanks so much for sharing! ❤

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad you liked it! It really is beautiful, if exhausting!

[@LovelyPariah]

Wow, this coast is gorgeous! The water looks so pretty...

[@GoNorthJapan]

The ocean always looks gorgeous here, agreed!

[@inkyjo5533]

What a stunning views, I so much enjoyed watching your video. Thank you for sharing.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!!

[@keiserkosti]

Takk!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that!!

[@abdulm2609]

That's a spectacular trail. The variation between the coast and mountain are really nice. I wonder how different it is during spring or summer.

[@GoNorthJapan]

It can be a lot hotter... and the deciduous trees are beautiful then, but they hide some of the views. Also- tons of bears droppings in the area! I did a portion of this hike a while back in the Spring - so I can show what that looks like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoSsqmhjbtuFea8

[@abdulm2609]

@@GoNorthJapan Appreciate it good sir.

[@kostassf]

Great Video with some lovely views ( I could name , around the 5th,6th minute of the video ( the sand beaches ) , the 7th minute of the video and towards the end of the video around the 10th minute of the video , just to name a few ) . I suspect the sunset from the Akito beach ( if I got the name correctly ) should also be stunning and while in Akito beach I suspect our good old friend Neptune ( don't know the Japanese equivalent ) doesn't really like walls ( or sea walls to that effect ) . For the most part the trail looked quite accesible ( although I have to admit that in a couple of occasions i felt a bit uneasy ( the metal ladder around 05:19 and then the small ladder at 06:44 ) with hiking shoes likely since hiking boots would be rather heavy footwear . One last thing if I may . This part of the trail should be nicknamed the "One Thousand Steps trail" for the many steps . All in all it should made a pretty intresting experience .

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah- lots of beautiful spots on the trail!! And many others that I didn't include as well! Totally agree on the "One Thousand Steps Trail" - that's what it is!

[@caviesrule4445]

Such stunning views! Your videos definitely make me want to go out in nature more. The landscape is very different here, but gorgeous in it's own way. Also really flat, which makes hiking much easier. I'm glad that your content moves me to go out and be appreciative of nature.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Glad to hear that!

[@Blacksolger]

Stunning Views

[@Slewenski]

Hach, I always looove the videos on the trail. The sea is so stunningly beautiful, but so are the cliffs and the trees clinging onto them... like you just wanna sit down and paint everything XD As I'd prolly die up the first set of stairs this is very comfortable for me to just watch lol (and yesss i am binging again D: it's always hard to stop once started)

[@GoNorthJapan]

The stairs can be murder, yeah!

[@OtakuAviators]

“Thank you so much for watching, and I see you on the stairs”

[@GoNorthJapan]

Ahahaha, right!

[@OtakuAviators]

@@GoNorthJapan 😄😄😄

[@manfredmarschik]

Danke!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thank you so much!!! Really appreciate that!!

[@VerhoevenSimon]

Thank you for the beautiful vistas!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks for watching!

[@etherdog]

Breathtaking as usual, Quinlan! Is it worth it to put your camera down for a walk-away? Could you use your drone to to achieve the same effect?

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah, drone is actually a lot more work in terms of unpacking it, calibrating it, launching, etc. plus limited battery life and the worry of trees... I don't mind walking back and forth.

[@igornagase7355]

I remember you made an incredible video in this spectacular place and in this video, one of the trails was closed, was the trail opened again? I remember there was a waterfall!!!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah, I think it's completely open now!

[@tacbose6593]

スカイツリーは通常時は階段は使えない(東京タワーはok)ということを把握しているのに驚愕します MCT、素敵ですね いつか赴けたらと思います

[@GoNorthJapan]

すごく綺麗ですよ！

[@katiemcquin]

So beautiful 😍😍 I know its the middle of winter, but is it wrong that I want to paddle in that amazing blue sea?!

[@GoNorthJapan]

I'm right there with you in that desire! Beautiful water!

[@kiwiyamabushi]

Gorgeous, as always! Great video! Lots of good information too :)

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks! Love your videos as well!

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

Magnolia & Tulip Tree blossoms are also edible - can be a quite a good chew, for a flower - some varieties/species aren’t nearly as good as others has to be said. Crazy to think that all those tunnels must have been hand dug by the local fishermen for access who knows when..

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

Forget now which villages along that coast I saw once - but there are memorials to previous tsunamis on rocks that are absolutely huge that were moved up the valleys from those cliffs - the size of those ancient flood waves would have been nightmare!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Oh interesting! Didn't realize you could just chew on them! Yeah- pretty sure these tunnels are all hand-made maybe 60 or 70 years ago like the ones near the Unosu Cliffs. They're actually rather long and dark, I just cut that part short as I showed them more in a previous video I did there a couple years ago.

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

@@GoNorthJapan but you have tracked マタギ and アイヌ well done... Sai Peninsula and Noheji much to be revealed...

[@dandomine]

This trail is beautiful, but it does need work in some places.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah- could be better labeled certainly, and maybe more areas of trail created to minimize walking on roads.

[@cabby22]

Wow it's so gorgeous there. Looked pretty empty too... Did you see anyone else on your hike? Does it get busier in the Spring/Summer? Thanks for sharing this piece of the trail.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Didn't see anyone on the trail the entire day!! But when I've hiked it during the warmer months there were a few other people I passed, but even then it was sparse.

[@opticalsoap]

awesome hike!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks!

[@somethingwithcode2615]

Great video, thank you for showing! I'm actually planning to hike the full Coastal Trail at the end of the year. Do you have any tips or recommendations for campgrounds along the trail or camping in general in Japan?

[@GoNorthJapan]

That's great!! I would say just go to the official site and download the PDF maps and look through those. They have the campsites all mapped out!

[@seebastian5834]

The painful thing is that the Japanese seem to measure hiking distances as the crow flies... so the coastal trails look unitimidatingly short because the (MASSIVE) vertical distances you cover aren't counted... at least that's what it was like for me at Izu Kogen - highly recommended as well though, super beautiful landscape. Welp, at least they had lots of Onsen there to treat the muscle pain.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah, I think that is fairly common... ah well. Definitely nothing a good long soak in the onsen doesn't compensate for! I haven't been to Izu Kogen! I'll put it on the list!

[@chamikajperera5987]

Hey quinlan, could you do a video or blog post explaining wild camping in japan. To start is it allowed , how to find places etc

[@GoNorthJapan]

That's a great idea. I do get questions about that a lot. I'll have to do some research first, as I don't have all the information at this moment! Thanks!

[@chamikajperera5987]

@@GoNorthJapan looking forward, thank you

[@amagalla]

wasn't the owner of that hotel a survivor that actually got swept away? I remember Tokyo Lens/Norm covered her story. (just a ramble) also great video as always. thank you

[@GoNorthJapan]

Ah- I know the hotel that you're talking about. I've met that woman a few times for work. In addition to running the hotel she gives speeches and presentations about her experience during the tsunami. That's the Horaikan Inn in Kamaishi.

[@amagalla]

@@GoNorthJapan thank you for the information!

[@CelticUchuu]

Gorgeous coast trail. Are there any camping spots along it where you could spend the night?

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yes! There are a number of campsites! If you download the PDF that I like to in the description you can find them. Also- in this video toward the end I passed the Aketo Beach - there is a campsite right around there as well.

[@Jim58223]

7:52 Harpoon?

[@GoNorthJapan]

Or an anchor? Not sure...

[@iPhonePhotoDude]

Does anyone know if October & November would be good weather months for this trail? Any idea what the average daily cost would be? I'm just starting to research hiking ideas for fall 2024

[@Budethouseproductions]

What is the name of the hotel at the end? And where did you start? I had a hard time finding on a map!

[@GoNorthJapan]

That's the Hotel Ragaso! Started at the Kitayamazaki Cliffs!

[@EJproductionsxD]

How long did it take you?

[@GoNorthJapan]

This was a while back.. can't quite remember. But probably 4 or 5 hours including filming and such!

[@ali.aetwebi1118]

what type of gear and cloths u have , and edc ??

[@GoNorthJapan]

For this hike- mostly just layers so I can adjust based on how hot or cold I feel. If you stop moving it's pretty cold in December, but with all the stairs you wouldn't notice that... so I had on a couple thin layers and a fleece. I also wear Montbell hiking boots, but for this trailrunning shoes would be better. I mainly carry an extra ultralight down jacket (just in case), pepper spray, a head lamp, extra rations, first aid kit, USB battery, a space blanket..