Michinoku Costal Trail Route Guide 2/50 Hashikami Station(Hashikami Town) - Mt.Hashikamidake - Taneichi Station(Hirono Town)

Hello. I live in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
I work as a guide for the Michinoku Coastal Trail and Sanriku Geopark, also the manager of Guest House 3710 in Miyako City.

Guest House Minato, Miyako, Japan

This article is detailed route guide of the Michinoku Coastal Trail. One of the 50 sections that divide the entire route.
Very detailed and specific introduction of entire route.
Based on experience of actually walking the entire route two times, both southbound(SOBO) / northbound(NOBO).
The article is written as the southbound (SOBO) route. But, there may also be photos and explanations of the northbound (NOBO) route.

If you want to know basic information about the Michinoku Coastal Trail in general, please read the article below first (It's a free article).

Also, before actually walking, be sure to read the Michinoku Trail Club's "Alerts" before starting.
For example, the latest information on detours due to construction is posted.

Alerts | Managing the Michinoku Coastal Trail｜NPO Michinoku Trail Club

(This article is based on information as of June 2024. The information provided is for reference only. Please do your own research, make a plan, and act at your own risk. Please note that I cannot be held responsible for any trouble or accidents that may occur as a result of using this information.)

0. Overview of this area

This is the second section from the north of the Michinoku Coastal Trail.
This is the section from Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture, climbing Mt. Hashikamidake to Taneichi Station in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture.

The route goes far inland to climb Mt. Hashikamidake.
The distance between Hashikami Station on the JR Hachinohe Line and the next station, Kadonohama Station, is nearly 30 km, making for a long detour.
You'll probably need about 8 hours just in Hashikami town.

Most of the roads are paved, except for climbing Mt. Hashikamidake.
The mountain trail to Mt. Hashikamidake is well maintained, so it is easy to walk despite the long distance.
However, it will definitely take longer, so if you find it difficult to walk the whole way in one go, you may want to break up sections somewhere.
Although there will be some overlapping sections, you can separate the sections by climbing Mt. Hashikamidake and other sections (Tea House Toumon would be efficient if you want to separate them).

There are almost no ups and downs except for climbing Mt. Hashikamidake.
Mt. Hashikamidake is also a very gentle mountain with many well-trodden dirt paths that are easy to walk on, so climbing shoes are not suitable.
It is best to wear lightweight shoes that are comfortable for walking on paved roads.

However, it snows on Mt. Hashikamidake in winter, so if you want to walk Mt. Hashikamidake in winter, you will need gear for snowy mountains and skills for walking on snowy mountains.

• Distance: Approximately 37km

• Maximum elevation: Approximately 740m

• Estimated time required: 9 to 10 hours

• Route difficulty: Midium (Not difficult. but special gear is required in winter)

• Access to public transportation: The area around the Hachinohe Line is good. The area around Mt. Hashikamidake is not good.

• Accommodations: Rare (Only around Taneichi Station)

• Campsite: Available (Obirakitai Campground)

• Restaurants: Rare (Only Forestpia Hashikami and Tea House Toumon and near the Taneichi Station)

• Stores: Few (Some stores located near the Taneichi Station)

1. Hashikami Station - Forestpia Hashikami

Start at Hashikami Station on the JR Hachinohe Line.
There are restrooms at Hashikami Station.
And there is a small parking lot, but not many number(Hiking Map Book N-S 18.12).