Thank you for the detailed report. This is an area I definitely want to visit, with or without trees. A few years ago, I went to Kamaishi on assignment.
We visited Minami Sanriku a couple of years ago and decided we wanted to come back. Next time we'll do more. The good news is that the new expressways make driving to places much much quicker.
That makes it a bit trickier. But there's a JR line to Ofunato and there's a bus on the old train tracks from there that will get you pretty close to the Goishi area - https://maps.app.goo.gl/otsohsV8VCE5CUQW9
I can see that, although the only time I've been to that bit of Washington it was a beautiful sunny day or two (to the shock of everyone we met at Microsoft the following Monday).
Mind you the weather the following day in Iwate was also nice and sunny. We climbed a mountain that gave is views this peninsular and some of the others
Although it’s often rainy in the Pacific Northwest, the area is a lot sunnier than the Olympic Peninsula, on the other side of Puget Sound and closer to the ocean. It can be very sunny in the Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia area and all grey and cloudy closer to the coast.
Not germane to your well written hike essay Francis, but looking at the cake vending machine I though you might get a kick out of there two; https://soranews24.com/2025/05/16/steampunk-vending-machines-appear-in-japan-and-heres-how-to-find-them/
Thank you for the detailed report. This is an area I definitely want to visit, with or without trees. A few years ago, I went to Kamaishi on assignment.
I want to do more in the area too.
We visited Minami Sanriku a couple of years ago and decided we wanted to come back. Next time we'll do more. The good news is that the new expressways make driving to places much much quicker.
That's one of the logistic problems I'll have to solve: I only use public transportation.
That makes it a bit trickier. But there's a JR line to Ofunato and there's a bus on the old train tracks from there that will get you pretty close to the Goishi area - https://maps.app.goo.gl/otsohsV8VCE5CUQW9
A cake vending machine???!!!
Just when one thought Japan couldn't get any more civilized!
😍😍😍
Those first photos remind me very much of some parts of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It is also very atmospheric, and often socked in.
I can see that, although the only time I've been to that bit of Washington it was a beautiful sunny day or two (to the shock of everyone we met at Microsoft the following Monday).
Mind you the weather the following day in Iwate was also nice and sunny. We climbed a mountain that gave is views this peninsular and some of the others
Although it’s often rainy in the Pacific Northwest, the area is a lot sunnier than the Olympic Peninsula, on the other side of Puget Sound and closer to the ocean. It can be very sunny in the Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia area and all grey and cloudy closer to the coast.