Meet in Morioka, the capital city of Iwate Prefecture.

We meet at our hotel at 5:00pm for the Tour Briefing. You will need to make your own way there. On arrival at the hotel, you will be met by your tour leader in the lobby. Following the briefing, we’ll have a group dinner when we’ll be able to get acquainted with each other and experience our first taste of Japanese cuisine.

A complimentary Short Hike tour in Morioka.

If you are planning to arrive in Morioka a day before the tour departure date, you will have a bit more time to recover from jet lag. To make the most of your stay in Morioka, your tour leader will be able to offer you a complimentary short hike tour before the tour briefing at 5:00pm on Day One.

Hike Akita Komaga Take (1637m), the highest peak in Akita Prefecture. (Hiking day)

After breakfast, we will be picked up by our private shuttle and head to our first hiking destination, Akita Komaga Take. Reaching 1,637 m, Akita Komaga Take comprises several peaks including Mt. Onamedake, the highest mountain in Akita Prefecture, and serves as a symbol of Akita.

The mountain is an active volcano that stretches from Akita Prefecture to Iwate Prefecture.
A circular hiking trail starts from the end of the road. The trailhead is already above the treeline so we will have an open vista at all times (weather permitting). A spectacular panorama can be seen from all the mountain tops of Akita Komaga Take with its colorful autumn leaves.

After the hike, we head to our accommodation to kick-off the hiking portion of the trip with a feast of food and drink prepared by a chef at our lodge.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 5.4 km

Elevation gain: + 330 m / - 330 m

Time: 4 - 5 hrs

Hike Akita Yake Yama volcano. (Hiking day)

Akita Yake Yama volcano is an active stratovolcano in Akita Prefecture. It is one of several Japanese volcanoes named Yake-yama ("Burning Mountain").
Its cone is 7 km wide at the base and contains a 600 m wide summit crater containing a small lava dome called Onigajo.The last magmatic eruption was the formation of the Onigajo lava dome in the summit crater about 5000 years ago.

We start our hike traveling through the forests in peak autumn colour season when the colours of Japanese beech, oak, mountain ash, maples and many others are at their best.After about 90 mins, we will break out of the forest for fabulous panoramic mountain vistas.

After crossing a creek where natural hot springs flow, we will be hiking up around on the outer rim of a volcano. Enjoy a spectacular view of the crater walls and seismic pools hiking on a fine mountain ridge.

Our hike today ends at a hot springs resort where we enjoy soaking in the hot springs.
We return to the same accommodation tonight.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 11 km

Elevation gain: + 495 m / - 495 m

Time: 5 - 6 hrs

Explore Hachimantai, a volcano plateau. (Hiking day)

In the morning, we take a signature hike in the area around the summit of Mt. Hachimantai (1613m).
We hike on boardwalks through a series of rolling marshlands and ponds created when a crater formed from volcanic activities. We follow the trail to the summit of Mt. Chausu which, on a clear day, has excellent views across the valley of Hachimantai to Mt. Iwate and over to Mt. Chokai.

After the hike, we will be picked up by private shuttle and head to tonight’s accommodation in Hachinohe.　
Dinner tonight will be seafood dinner at Yokocho, Hachinohe’s most famous drinking alleyway. It is an exciting and colorful network of covered streets lined by dozens of food stalls. Every evening the sound of cheerful laughter rings out from the alleyways.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 7.3 km

Elevation gain: + 120 m / - 400 m

Time: 4 - 5 hrs

Michinoku Coastal Trail. (Hiking day)

We will visit a Morning Market that is only open on early Sunday mornings. The market is open from sunrise to 9AM. More than 300 vendors line the 800m-long market, and it is one of the largest markets in Japan with over 10,000 visitors every week.

Today, we hike one of the best sections of the Michinoku Coastal Trail. We take a local train to get to the starting point of our hike along the coast.
From the undulating sunken rocks to the white sands and green pine trees, this route meanders around the coastline whose magnificent scenery varies constantly. Enjoy fantastic vistas over the Pacific Ocean.

After the hike, we will return to Hachinohe and visit at a local Sake brewery. Dinner is on your own tonight, but your tour leader will be able to recommend several choices for the night.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 8 km

Elevation gain: + 50 m / - 50 m

Time: 4 - 5 hrs

Scenic train ride along the coastline.

We leave Hachinohe behind and travel to Miyako City by local trains - Hachinohe Railway and Sanriku Railway. We will take a day off to rest your legs from hiking today.The total travel time on the trains from Hachinohe to Miyako today is approximately three and a half hours. Please enjoy a relaxing journey watching the changing scenery from the train.

The tsunami that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 caused extensive damage to local railway infrastructure, destroying stations, rail, and bridges.

Sanriku Railway was finally reopened on March 23, 2019. A single line, the Sanriku Railway Rias Line, stretching 163 kilometers along the coastline, is now the longest “third sector” (half public, half private) railway line in Japan.We make one stop at Kuji Station to visit a local restaurant renowned for its amazing seafood selections.We will stay in a luxury resort hotel in Miyako City.

Michinoku Coastal Trail, Jodoga Hama ‘‘Pure Land’. (Hiking Day)

In the morning, we hike one of the most beautiful sections along Michinoku Coastal Trail and part of the Sanriku Reconstruction National Park.

This route winds up and down through the “Ocean Alps” of Miyako City. This route lets you experience the contrast between the dynamic scenery of the blow hole that blasts sea waters up to 30 meters and the beautiful, calm landscape of Jodogahama Beach.

In the afternoon, we will be picked up by private shuttle and head to Kesennuma City.

Dinner is on your own tonight, but your tour leader will be able to recommend several choices for the night. The restaurant in the hotel is an easy option.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 8.3 km

Elevation gain: + 300 m / - 250 m

Time: 4 - 5 hrs

Living with the Ocean.

Today, we will take a day tour to visit Kesennuma Memorial Museum and an oyster farm tour on a boat to learn the city’s reconstruction project.Kesennuma is a city that suffered devastating damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Kesennuma City turned the old school building of Kesennuma Koyo High School, which was heavily damaged by the tsunami and left in ruins, into a memorial hall to share the memories and lessons from the earthquake.
It is important for us to continue to convey the fearsome power of earthquakes and tsunamis to future generations.

After visiting the memorial hall, we will head to port where we get on a boat that takes us to a local oyster farm. This is a great opportunity to learn from local fishermen about the symbiotic relationship between mountains and oceans, and the unique ecosystem in Kesennuma resulting from this symbiosis. The ocean in Kesennuma recovered rapidly after the tsunami because the river and the forest inland had been protected by locals and delivered essential nutrients back to the ocean in short order.The tsunami has also improved oyster farming in the area by stirring up sea floors and removing accumulated sludge.

After the tour, we catch a bullet train to Fukushima Station. We will be met by our host with whom we will stay at a fine ryokan in Onsen village which is renowned for its hot springs..

Hike ‘Goshiki Numa Ponds’ Fukushima’s hidden gem. (Hiking Day)

We will take a private shuttle to visit Goshiki Numa Ponds, one of the most popular destinations in Fukushima Prefecture.

Goshiki Numa Ponds is a series of beautiful lakes and ponds on a highland plain in Bandai-Asahi National Park. The lakes and ponds were created by the 1888 eruption of Mt.Bandai.
We take a walk along the trail that takes you past dozens of lakes and ponds..The hike takes just over an hour one-way..

At the end of the trail, you have an opportunity to enjoy shopping souvenirs and local products. It is also a good place to pick your most enticing option for lunch, or ask your tour leader to recommend and arrange one for you.

After lunch, we head to our Ryokan. Enjoy your free time exploring this fascinating village. Dinner is on your own tonight, but your tour leader will be able to recommend several choices for the night.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 3.6 km

Elevation gain: + 50 m

Time: 1 - 2 hrs

Summit Mount Adatara 1700m. (Hiking Day)

Located in the remote Bandai-Asahi National Park in Fukushima Prefecture, we will hike Mount Adatara to its 1,700 meter summit that offers extraordinary panoramic views. Mount Adatara is also the best place to enjoy the bright colors of the autumn leaves in the region.

The mountain is made up of several volcanoes - another opportunity for us to hike around the outer rim of the crater along the summit ridge. Enjoy the striking contrast of colours and stunning vistas.

Enjoy the last meal to wrap up our hiking tour.

TRAIL DATA

Distance: 10.3 km

Elevation gain: + 330 m / - 760 m

Time: 5 - 6 hrs