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Walking from Shiobukiana to Jodogahama Beach - Spectacular views and discoveries on the Michinoku Coastal Trail-

Walking from Shiobukiana to Jodogahama Beach - Spectacular views and discoveries on the Michinoku Coastal Trail-

2025.01.17

I'm K, in charge of the Miyako region. The Michinoku Coastal Trail is a route filled with the spectacular natural scenery and charms of local culture. I'd like to share my experience walking 5.5km from Shiofukiana in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, to the finish line at Jodogahama Beach in early November. I completed the trail at a leisurely pace in 3 hours.

Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Written by

Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Hello! This is the Iwate Prefectural Coastal Regional Development Bureau, which is responsible for the coastal areas of the Iwate Prefectural Government. We are responsible for 13 coastal municipalities from Tanohata Village in the north to Rikuzentakata City in the south. On March 11, 2011, a massive tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake struck this area. Although we suffered enormous damage, we have been on the road to recovery thanks to support from all over the world. The area also places great emphasis on disaster prevention education, and has earthquake relics and facilities to pass on the history of the disaster. You can experience the history of reconstruction by walking with a guide. [Famous places in the north] Tanohata Village is home to Kitayamazaki, a series of 200-meter-high cliffs; Iwaizumi Town is home to Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves; Miyako City is home to Jodogahama, a beach of pure white stones said to resemble paradise; and Yamada Town is home to Oshima (also known as Holland Island) and Koshima, both of which float in a calm bay. The Sanriku Railway is the perfect way to enjoy this region. Take a leisurely ride on the local line and enjoy the scenery from the train window. [Famous places in the middle] In Otsuchi town, you can enjoy both the sea and the mountains, such as Horai Island, affectionately known to the locals as "Hyotan Island," and in Kamaishi city, the Hashino Iron Mine, the site of Japan's oldest surviving Western-style blast furnace and a registered World Heritage Site. This area is also famous for its local performing arts such as Toramai and ShikaOdori, and you can experience these ancient traditions at events and festivals. [Famous places in the south] There are many spots where you can experience the region's unique nature and culture, such as Goishi Coast in Ofunato, where you can enjoy the varied scenery of the rias coast; the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum in Rikuzentakata, which disseminates the facts and lessons learned from the tsunami; and Roukando Cave, a limestone cave with one of Japan's largest waterfalls inside a cave in Sumita town. This is an area where you can enjoy the blessings brought by the majestic nature while also learning the wisdom and lessons of coexisting with the threats of nature. We look forward to seeing you all.

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[Starting point: Shiofukiana Parking Lot]

The Michinoku Coastal Trail, and we decided to walk the course from Shiobukiana to Jodogahama Beach.

One day in November 2024. The weather on this day was slightly cloudy.

It's 5.5km from Shiofukiana Parking Lot to Jodogahama Beach. There are no toilets, so you should make sure to relieve yourself at the Shiofukiana Refreshing Toilet in the parking lot before starting the course.

Squirting Hole Refreshing Toilet
Squirting Hole Refreshing Toilet

You can see the map of the course we walked this time from the following link:

Course map (Shiofukiana Parking Lot - Jodogahama Beach)

This is where the course begins.
This is where the course begins.

[Entering the course and entering the forest, a glimpse of the ocean through the trees]

We finally enter the trail course. It feels like a bit of mountain climbing. What's different from mountain climbing is that you can feel the sea breeze from the nearby ocean.

This is the atmosphere of entering the mountains.
This is the atmosphere of entering the mountains.

You can see a glimpse of the blue ocean through the trees.

Walking from Shiobukiana to Jodogahama Beach - Spectacular views and discoveries on the Michinoku Coastal Trail-

[How is the blowhole today?]

As I enjoyed the pleasant sea breeze, I began to sweat comfortably.

Going a little further, we came to a sign for a fork in the road. We decided to take a slight detour in the opposite direction from the trail toward Jodogahama Beach to see the blowhole. This was my first time at the blowhole. I was excited to see if I could see the water spouting.

Take a 0.2km detour to see the blowhole
Take a 0.2km detour to see the blowhole
You can see the blowhole from the observation deck.
You can see the blowhole from the observation deck.

Unfortunately, the blowhole was not spewing any water on this day.

At times like this, the locals don't blow water, so they call it not a blowhole as its name suggests, but also known as a "horabuki hole."

The location of the squirting hole is a narrow slit a little below the center of the picture. When the sea is rough and swelled, it rises to a height of about 30m, and you can see a magnificent squirting, so I would like to visit again.
The location of the squirting hole is a narrow slit a little below the center of the picture. When the sea is rough and swelled, it rises to a height of about 30m, and you can see a magnificent squirting, so I would like to visit again.

[We had to walk up and down a lot and even had to ford a river]

After seeing the blowhole, we start again and enjoy a pleasant walk up and down the coast.

Climbing
Climbing
Go down
Go down
The crossing is also moderately thrilling.
The crossing is also moderately thrilling.

[Encounters - A journey where you pass by local people]

There are private houses along this route, and you may encounter local people. They will kindly tell you about the trail, so you can enjoy communicating with them as you go along. Interacting with the local people is one of the best parts of this trail.

You can feel the people's activities
You can feel the people's activities

[Taking a break at Ishihama]

I was getting tired, so I went off the trail a little and took a rest on a rocky beach overlooking the ocean. There were lots of round rocks.

It feels good to touch the many round stones on the shoreline.
It feels good to touch the many round stones on the shoreline.

[To the rare bamboo forest tunnel]

There are trail signs, so the course is easy to follow. There are also small signs, so you can check them against the map as you go. In front of you is a bamboo forest tunnel, which is rare on trails. Continue through this bamboo forest tunnel.

The bamboo forest is right in front of you
The bamboo forest is right in front of you
Part of Takonohama Beach is now visible.
Part of Takonohama Beach is now visible.
Once you exit this tunnel
Once you exit this tunnel

[Goal - Jodogahama Beach]

Finally, we arrived at the finish line, Jodogahama Beach. Jodogahama Beach is a picture-perfect beach with white rocks and blue ocean. It is the perfect place to relax after the trail, and you will be enchanted by its beauty.

We arrived at Jodogahama Beach. A beautiful landscape awaited us.
We arrived at Jodogahama Beach. A beautiful landscape awaited us.
Jodogahama Rest House "Jodogahama Curry" shaped like Jodogahama is also recommended
Jodogahama Rest House "Jodogahama Curry" shaped like Jodogahama is also recommended

[Eternal green sea all the way to Jodogahama Visitor Center]

It's only about 2km from Jodogahama Rest House to the Jodogahama Visitor Center, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the eternal green ocean on your way there. There is a variety of trail information available at the Visitor Center, so please stop by.

Walking from Shiobukiana to Jodogahama Beach - Spectacular views and discoveries on the Michinoku Coastal Trail-

[Etiquette for experiencing Japanese nature and culture]

[Etiquette for experiencing Japanese nature and culture]

When walking on Japan's trails, you are expected to respect nature and culture. Be sure to take your trash with you and refrain from shouting on the trails or feeding the wild animals.

【summary】

The Michinoku Coastal Trail from Shiofukiana Parking Lot to Jodogahama Beach is a wonderful route where you can enjoy nature, culture, and interact with local people. It is sure to be a memorable experience even for first-time foreign visitors tourists visiting Japan.

Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Written by

Iwate Prefecture Coastal Regional Development Bureau

Iwate

Hello! This is the Iwate Prefectural Coastal Regional Development Bureau, which is responsible for the coastal areas of the Iwate Prefectural Government. We are responsible for 13 coastal municipalities from Tanohata Village in the north to Rikuzentakata City in the south. On March 11, 2011, a massive tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake struck this area. Although we suffered enormous damage, we have been on the road to recovery thanks to support from all over the world. The area also places great emphasis on disaster prevention education, and has earthquake relics and facilities to pass on the history of the disaster. You can experience the history of reconstruction by walking with a guide. [Famous places in the north] Tanohata Village is home to Kitayamazaki, a series of 200-meter-high cliffs; Iwaizumi Town is home to Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves; Miyako City is home to Jodogahama, a beach of pure white stones said to resemble paradise; and Yamada Town is home to Oshima (also known as Holland Island) and Koshima, both of which float in a calm bay. The Sanriku Railway is the perfect way to enjoy this region. Take a leisurely ride on the local line and enjoy the scenery from the train window. [Famous places in the middle] In Otsuchi town, you can enjoy both the sea and the mountains, such as Horai Island, affectionately known to the locals as "Hyotan Island," and in Kamaishi city, the Hashino Iron Mine, the site of Japan's oldest surviving Western-style blast furnace and a registered World Heritage Site. This area is also famous for its local performing arts such as Toramai and ShikaOdori, and you can experience these ancient traditions at events and festivals. [Famous places in the south] There are many spots where you can experience the region's unique nature and culture, such as Goishi Coast in Ofunato, where you can enjoy the varied scenery of the rias coast; the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum in Rikuzentakata, which disseminates the facts and lessons learned from the tsunami; and Roukando Cave, a limestone cave with one of Japan's largest waterfalls inside a cave in Sumita town. This is an area where you can enjoy the blessings brought by the majestic nature while also learning the wisdom and lessons of coexisting with the threats of nature. We look forward to seeing you all.

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