By Futoshi Mori / Japan News Senior Writer 17:02 JST, May 28, 2024 Flocks of black-tailed gulls wing through the air, gather on rock faces, and rest themselves on the bows of small fishing boats. Called “umineko” (sea cats) in Japanese, their feline cries echo without stop in Kabushima. The former island, now connected by land to the rest of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, is known as the largest breeding ground for the gulls in Japan.
The Michinoku Coastal Trail walk that was held on Sunday started at the seaside park next to Kabushima. Kabushima Shrine on the former island of Kabushima, known as a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls Black-tailed gulls rest on a small fishing boat. A sign for the Michinoku Coastal Trail on Kabushima A walking enthusiast myself, I joined the 8-kilometer-long course, one of two courses offered that day.
And with the sea breeze blowing up on me, I soaked up the greenery. Michinoku means Tohoku region in Japanese. Though only 8 kilometers long, the course was varied and never dull.
The first section is paved in some places and not in others, and passed several small fishing ports. The middle of the trail was an almost straight stretch of sandy beach for around 2.3 kilometers, before it wound through a pine forest along the ocean.
The final leg offered a wide-open view, and the finish line was at the end of a grassy field that also serves as a campsite. The opening ceremony is held with Pokemon mascots. The opening ceremony for the trail wal.