Michinoku Costal Trail Route Guide 4/50 Rikuchu-Nakano Station(Hirono Town) - Kuji Station(Kuji City)

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.

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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 time, introduce the area from Hirono Town in Iwate Prefecture into Kuji City.
Start at Rikuchu-Nakano Station on the Hachinohe Line and head south to Kuji Station.

From Rikuchu-Nakano Station, the route crosses the Kogegawa River and continues mainly along nature trails.

Compared to the areas further north, such as Tanesashi Coast in Hachinohe City and the Taneichi area in Hirono Town, the altitude increases and the trail begins to go up and down by 50 to 100 meters. It's a good warm-up section for heading to the "Sea Alps" south of Kuji City.
On the way to Kuji City, the National Oil Stockpiling Base and geological outcrops are also worth seeing.

The trail route within Kuji City does not pass through Kuji Station, but since it is a large city, you should probably stop by the area around Kuji station.

The most important thing about this section is that you have to cross the Kogegawa River, which is on the border between Hirono Town and Kuji City.

The Kogegawa River is not just a matter of crossing a stream, but clearly requires crossing a river.
Even when the water level is low, you will be submerged from your ankles to your knees. There is no way to avoid it by jumping stones or other methods.

If you don't have any way to protect yourself from getting your shoes soaked, give up crossing and take a detour.
Also, as the water level rises, it can become waist-deep. It is very dangerous, so do not cross the river.

There used to be a detour on the north bank that took you along the river and past Nakano Shirataki Falls, but it has now collapsed and is no longer walkable.
Therefore, if you are making a detour from the north, you will have to take a long detour by walking towards National Route 45, starting well before Rikuchu-Nakano Station.
Once you reach the Kogegawa River, there is no detour. If you turn back when you see the river, you will have to go back the way you came for several kilometers.
Therefore, if the Kogegawa River is expected to rising waters, it is better to avoid the area around Rikuchu-Nakano Station and take a detour via National Route 45.

Also, if you are approaching from the south, you will have to go down the cliff more than 50 meters before you reach the river.
There is no detour from there, so you have to climb back up the cliff and make a detour of several more kilometers.
Therefore, even for NOBO, it is best to decide whether or not to make a detour well in advance.

• Distance: Approximately 22km (If use detours, or reach to Kuji Station, it will be longer)

• Maximum elevation: Approximately 100m

• Estimated time required: 7 hours (If use detours, or reach to Kuji Station, need more)

• Route difficulty: Easy (Except crossing Kogegawa River)

• Access to public transportation: Little difficult (The starting and finishing points are convenient, but there is no escape route along the way)

• Accommodations: A lot (Only around Kuji Station)

• Campsite: Available (Kita Samuraihama Campground)

• Restaurants: A lot (Only Kuji City downtown area)

• Stores: A lot (Only Kuji City downtown area)

1. Detour of Nakano Shirataki Falls

First, Introduce a route that heads south via Nakano Shirataki Falls and detours around the Kogegawa River.

After leaving Rikuchu-Nakano Station, head north a little way, then leave the tracks and turn towards a residential area, walking towards National Route 45.

There are no trail signs for this detour, so first head onto National Route 45.
Once you get onto National Route 45 and head south for a while, you'll come across a very small sign at the intersection for Nakano Shirataki Falls.
It's easy to follow the road from that sign.

First, head for Shirataki-jinja Shrine, shown in the photo below.
Once you reach the parking lot for Shirataki-jinja Shrine, go down the stairs.