2026年1月13日

Michinoku Coastal Trail by Bus from Morioka

Perfect for Beginners! Experience Jodogahama from Both Land and Sea – Trail & Miyako Umineko-maru Cruise Course

■ in Japanese　■中文（繁體字）

[Model Course] Day Trip Centered on Jodogahama, the Highlight of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, with Miyako Umineko-maru Cruise

“From Morioka to Jodogahama: An Encounter with Sanriku’s Spectacular Scenery”

Morning: Departure from Morioka Station

Morioka Station (East Exit, Stop 7) 9:40 departure ＝＝ [Route 106 Express/Rapid Bus] ＝＝ Miyako Station 11:20 arrival
((Timetable available here))

For those staying in Morioka, this is a leisurely departure time. Even from Tokyo, if you take the 6:32Shinkansen, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast in Morioka. While waiting for departure, were commend Tohoku Drippers Coffee Stand. You can enjoy original coffees inspired by the six Tohoku prefectures and a morning meal.

Lunch at Miyako Station

As befits the station area of Miyako, the “Seafood Kingdom,” there are restaurants near the station that pride themselves on fresh seafood.

Janome Honten (Regular holiday: Wednesday)

Janome Honten “Bindon Janome Omakase (Large)” 2,970 yen (reference price)

Gyosaitei Sumiyoshi (Irregular holidays)

“Bindon RED HOT” 1,650 yen (reference price)
Both restaurants serve Miyako’s specialty “Bindon” lunch. Each restaurant also offers their proud seafood dishes. We also recommend the cod fry made with true cod, which boasts one of the high estlanding volumes in Honshu!
During busy times, please check with the restaurant for wait times. There are several lunch restaurant swithin a 10-minute walk, so please use those as well.

Noon: Departure from Miyako Station
Miyako Station, Stop 3 12:40 departure ＝＝ Jodogahama Visitor Center 12:57 arrival
((Timetable available here))

■ Walking the Michinoku Coastal Trail Jodogahama Park Full Course
(Walking distance: 3.8km, Walking time: 2 hours)

This course covers the “Jodogahama Park Full Course” introduced by the Jodogahama Visitor Center.
For details, please contact the Jodogahama Visitor Center.

Jodogahama Visitor Center
Address: 32-69 Hitachihama-cho, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture 〒027-0001
Phone: 0193-65-1690
Course Map Note:The goal is the Miyako Umineko-maru Jodogahama Pier, just before the Jodogahama Visitor Center. More detailed map signboards are available on site.

Tategazaki Observatory
From here begins the Michinoku Coastal Trail trekking. Since there are wildlife such as serow and bears in Jodogahama, please don’t forget to prepare bear bells, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

From the long corridor at the Jodogahama Visitor Center where the taxi stand and bus waiting area are located, go straight ahead facing the sea, then proceed a little to the right rear and you’ll see the information board for the Jodogahama Walking Course. It’s hard to find, but this is the entrance totoday’s trekking.

As you climb the wooden stairs beside the signboard, you’ll come to a T-junction with an information board. Turn left here, and in about 5 minutes you’ll see an observation deck. This is
Tategazaki Observatory.
To the north, you can enjoy views of Hideshima, a natural monument where streaked shearwaters breed, and to the east, you can enjoy views of the ancient sea scenery of Miyako including the Omoe Peninsula, although the view may be somewhat restricted due to tree growth. Visibility is excellent during the defoliated season.

Ryujinzaki Observatory
Turn back from the observatory and return to the T-junction. Go straight toward Ryujinzaki Observatory,and you’ll proceed through a pleasant pine forest. On sunny days, you’ll occasionally glimpse the sparkling, beautiful water surface.

After about 25 minutes, you’ll see Ryujinzaki Observatory. From this observatory, you can view the town scape of Miyako including Desaki Pier and Kuwagasaki.

Usukiyama
Going around Ryujinzaki Observatory and descending continuously, you’ll come near a road. Just before reaching the road, the mountain trail branches off, so take the mountain trail side. It’s a bit dense, but continuing on this path will bring you back to the Jodogahama Visitor Center.
On the opposite side from where you entered the mountain trail earlier – that is, on the opposite sidefrom the Visitor Center and sea – there is the entrance to the Usukiyama hiking trail across the road. Ifyou’re unsure, feel free to ask the Visitor Center staff.

Usukiyama is a low mountain that can be climbed easily.
The highlights of Usukiyama include flowers of Adonis, witch hazel, and magnolia blooming in early spring, dogtooth violets in April, and 800 trees of 100 varieties of cherry blossoms to enjoy in May.
Toilets (closed in winter) and an arbor are maintained, and there’s a course that allows you to walk around near the summit.

Additionally, the Miyako Port Naval Battle Monument from the end of the Edo period describes how Hijikata Toshizo of the former Shogunate army and Togo Heihachiro of the new government army fought with modern weapons, stirring historical romance.

Hamayuri Observatory

After going around Usukiyama and coming back, you’ll see the building of the Prefectural Fisheries Science Museum on the opposite side from where you climbed up. When you descend to the building,you’ll reach a road, so cross the road as is and the “Forest Bathing Path” begins.

At the fork in the path, first head toward Hamayuri Observatory. At this Hamayuri Observatory, you can see the emerald green sea of Tako-no-hama through the pines – a hidden scenic spot.

Jodogahama
After viewing Hamayuri Observatory, turn back a little and proceed in the direction of the rest house atthe previous fork. Going further, there’s another Y-junction, but proceed toward the rest house.Descending a slightly steep slope, you’ll arrive at Jodogahama, the scenic spot said to be “like the Pure Land paradise.”
The rest house in the back has toilets and a shop, so please stop by if you have time.
※Time Warning:If it’s past 15:30 at this point, please board the bus departing at 16:10 from the Oku-Jodogahama bus stop in Jodogahama bound for Miyako Station, and get off at “SeaTopia Naado” on the way. Note that “SeaTopia Naado” is the starting point for the return “Route 106 Express Bus” bound for Morioka Station.
Oku-Jodogahama 16:10 departure ＝＝ SeaTopia Naado 16:22 arrival

Odaiba Observatory
Walk along the maintained seaside path from Jodogahama toward the Visitor Center.
The water clarity is absolutely incredible. Going through the first tunnel, you’ll arrive at Marine House,which is the Sappa boat boarding area famous for the Blue Cave.
There are stairs leading to the mountain path just before the second tunnel ahead.
※Time Warning:If it’s past 14:50 at this point, continue through the tunnel to the Miyako Umineko-maru Jodogahama pier.
Proceeding here, you’ll arrive at Odaiba Observatory. This is a spectacular spot where you can look down on Jodogahama from diagonally above.

Goal: Miyako Umineko-maru Jodogahama Pier
Return toward Marine House, go through the tunnel, and you’re at the Miyako Umineko-maru Jodogahama Pier. Today’s trail ends here.

Let’s wait for the 15:30 departure.
If you miss the Miyako Umineko-maru departure, don’t worry. Continue along the path and you can return to the starting point “Jodogahama Visitor Center.” Board the bus bound for Miyako Station fromthe Visitor Center and get off at “SeaTopia Naado” on the way. Note that “SeaTopia Naado” is the starting point for the return “Route 106 Express Bus” bound for Morioka Station.
Jodogahama Visitor Center 16:15 departure ＝＝ SeaTopia Naado 16:22 arrival
((Timetable available here))

Jodogahama Cruise on Miyako Umineko-maru
Jodogahama Pier 15:30 departure ＝＝ [Miyako Umineko-maru] ＝＝ Desaki Pier (SeaTopia Naado)16:00 arrival
((Timetable available here))
Thank you for your trekking efforts. Unlike mountain hiking, we hope you enjoyed the pleasant contrast between the beautiful sea and pine forest. Now for a leisurely boat journey.
Although it’s a short 30-minute voyage, please enjoy Miyako’s representative tourism by viewing Jodogahama from front and back, seeing unique rock formations like
Rosoku-iwa (Candle Rock),buying Umineko-pan to play with the black-tailed gulls.

SeaTopia Naado (Michi-no-Eki Miyako)
Right in front of Desaki Pier is SeaTopia Naado (Michi-no-Eki Miyako). From fresh seafood delivered from the Miyako City Fish Market right in front, to direct-from-farm vegetables and handmade dangofrom mountain areas, to souvenirs unique to Miyako and Sanriku – this is the recommended place for shopping.
If you’re a bit hungry, we recommend the standard sweet, the original “Umi-no-Megumi Soft Cream”made with Miyako’s deep seawater.

SeaTopia Naado 16:35 departure ＝＝ [Route 106 Express/Rapid Bus] ＝＝ Morioka Station 18:35arrival
((Timetable available here))
From SeaTopia Naado, take the direct bus back to Morioka Station.

Summary
How was this course that allows you to thoroughly enjoy Jodogahama, the famous scenic spot representing the Coastal Trail? This is a recommended course as an introduction to your first Coastal Trail experience. Why not take this opportunity to challenge other sections of the 1,000-kilometer trail?

Precautions

■Since the trail paths are in nature and road surface conditions are easily affected by weather, please be sure to check with the “Jodogahama Visitor Center” in advance whether the above model course is passable before use.
■Bus times listed in the model course may change without notice, so please check the latest operating times before use.
■The company assumes no responsibility for accidents or arrival delays during use of the model course.Please use at your own judgment and responsibility.

Set Ticket Information

The boarding tickets for the “Route 106 Express/Rapid Bus” and “Local Bus” listed in this model course,plus the “Hiker’s Certificate” that provides various services at facilities along the way, are sold as a set on RYDEPASS. It’s cheaper than paying each time, so please use it.

[Set Contents]
◎ Morioka Station → Miyako Station (Route 106 Express/Rapid Bus) one-way ticket
★Jodogahama Line 1-Day Area Free Ticket
Pleasure boat “Miyako Umineko-maru” discount ticket
◎SeaTopia Naado → Morioka Station (Route 106 Express/Rapid Bus) one-way ticket
◆ Hiker’s Certificate

◎ marked tickets can only be used in the direction of the arrow (→).
★ marked tickets can be used in either direction.

[Price]
Adult: 4,550 yen
Child: 2,280 yen

[Periods when set tickets cannot be used]
December 27, 2025 – January 4, 2026
August 8 – August 16, 2026

Reference Links

These were referenced when creating the model course. If you’re walking the above model course,please also view these pages.
Jodogahama Visitor Center
For inquiries and consultations regarding the “Michinoku Coastal Trail,”contact here.
Miyako Tourism and Cultural Exchange Association
Details about the Hiker’s Certificate are here.