In summer 2025, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Konnarock Crew welcomed three knowledgeable and passionate volunteers from Japan. With experience maintaining Japan’s Shin-etsu Trail and Michinoku Coastal Trail, Kumi Aizawa, Shin Hasegawa, and Eiji Suzuki joined a Hurricane Helene recovery project on the Appalachian Trail. Their time on the Trail revealed similarities and differences in how long-distance trails are built, managed, and experienced—and showed the power of international collaboration in caring for trails affected by natural disasters.

Despite being separated by 10,000 miles and the world’s largest ocean, Kumi, Shin, and Eiji answered the call to help, a testament to how trails unite us in a shared purpose to protect wild landscapes, experience the transformative power of the outdoors, and find belonging with others along the path. The ATC is grateful for Kumi, Shin, and Eiji for making the long trip to join the Konnarock Crew and sharing more about the trails they represent and their reflections on their A.T. experience with us.

Trails Connected by Purpose

About the Shin-Etsu Trail and the Michinoku Coastal Trail

The Shin-etsu Trail is a 110-kilometer long-distance trail that runs along the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures in Japan. The concept of long-distance trails in Japan was initiated as a national-scale project in 2000. Although the trail concept originated as a national initiative, sustainable management requires local engagement.

To help foster this engagement, the Shin-etsu Trail Club (STC) was established in 2003. Since then, STC has been working on environmentally appropriate trail construction and maintenance, promoting trail use, and building connections between local communities and hikers. This work involves coordination with the Forestry Agency and local governments, as well as collaboration with schools, lodges, and tourism businesses. STC also runs volunteer programs for trail guiding and maintenance.

The Michinoku Coastal Trail (MCT) is another long-distance trail developed by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as part of the recovery efforts following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Stretching about 1,000 kilometers along the Pacific coast, the trail offers stunning ocean views while guiding hikers through areas impacted by the disaster. One of its purposes is to preserve and pass on the memories of the disaster to future generations.

In addition to coastal scenery, hikers experience a wide variety of landscapes—walking through forests, crossing rivers, and immersing themselves in the rich and diverse nature of Japan. The trail also winds through numerous fishing villages and small rural communities, offering a deep and authentic connection to Japan’s cultural heritage and way of life.

Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions

Both Japan and the United States face similar challenges when it comes to protecting trails: storm damage, erosion, and managing visitor use impacts while keeping trails accessible. On the A.T., volunteer crews like Konnarock and local Trail Clubs do much of the on-the-ground maintenance work during large-scale recovery projects, while in Japan, trail management following natural disasters often relies more heavily on government agency coordination, which comes with its own challenges.Kumi says of the MCT, “in the event of a major disaster, [government] agencies are typically responsible for repairs. However, because the trail is not considered a critical transportation route, recovery is often delayed or deprioritized. In such cases, our organization steps in and carries out repairs with the help of volunteers—similar to how it’s done on the A.T.” Kumi sees an opportunity to build out more robust volunteer networks like local trail clubs, stating that, “In Japan, we’re facing more frequent typhoons and heavy rains, so I strongly feel the need to establish a volunteer-based recovery system like Konnarock. It’s not just about being reactive—this kind of program builds community and long-term resilience.”

Shin and Eiji both discussed the difference between sustainable trail maintenance and simply keeping trails passable. Shin shared that “the current state of trails in Japan is often that they are simply ‘passable.’ They aren’t designed to be easy for hikers, sustainable, or stable.”

Eiji stated similarly, “We still lack sufficient trail construction and maintenance knowledge and techniques. Most of the repairs we conduct are basic and temporary—just enough to keep the trail passable.”

For Kumi, Shin, and Eiji, working side-by-side with the Konnarock Crew highlighted new perspectives on disaster recovery and trail building.

Learning from Konnarock

While trail work in Japan often involves different equipment and methods, the hands-on experience of using A.T. tools and learning about the sustainable trail building techniques that Konnarock uses brought inspiration to Kumi, Shin, and Eiji.

Shin shared, “I was very interested in the many tools used for trail maintenance. I was impressed that most of the work is done by hand.” Not only did Shin enjoy getting familiar with new tools, but he added that, “learning about trail design principles for creating more resilient trails was an incredibly valuable experience, and I will be able to apply what I learned to Japanese trails.”Kumi echoed, “The techniques used here, especially for constructing sustainable tread and balancing environmental protection with user experience, were very impressive. I had the chance to use tools I had never seen before, and I’d love to introduce some of them in Japan.”

Eiji also found inspiration in trail building techniques: “I’ve learned many valuable techniques—such as how to build trails with proper drainage and how to restore tread damaged by uprooted trees. I intend to apply these techniques in Japan.”

Pictured here, Kumi Aizawa, Managing Director of the Michinoku Trail Club, and Shin Hasegaa, Representative Director of the Trailblaze Hiking Research Institute.

Reflections on Volunteer Culture

One thing that struck Kumi, Shin, and Eiji was the Appalachian Trail’s reliance on passionate volunteers. Working alongside people from all walks of life giving their time and sweat to repair the Trail left a lasting impression.

Shin was “most surprised by the scale and depth of the volunteer culture,” and reflected that, “it is truly wonderful to see so many people dedicating their time and energy to a single trail. The sense of community that exists among the people who maintain the trail and the volunteers is truly inspiring.”

Kumi shared a similar takeaway about the love that A.T. volunteers have for the Trail. “What impressed me most was the passion people have for this program. It’s clear that many participants love and take pride in being part of it.”

Eiji considered the hard physical work of a crew session, and how Konnarock Crew members stay motivated through connection with each other and a sense of purpose. “Through camping and working together over several days, a strong sense of camaraderie develops among participants. As the days [went] by, I could see how everyone genuinely began to enjoy the work from the heart. I realized that this sense of enjoyment is one of the key factors that make these efforts sustainable.”

Looking Down the Path

A Global Trail Community

For Kumi, Shin, and Eiji, the Konnarock experience was more than just six days of trail work—it was a step toward a stronger global trail community and more resilient trails. As the world faces more extreme weather events and rising demand for outdoor recreation opportunities, the lessons shared across oceans can help keep trails alive.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is grateful for the support from Kumi, Shin, and Suki, who traveled thousands of miles from home to help in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster the A.T. has ever faced. The ATC looks forward to deepening partnerships with international trail organizations, continuing to exchange knowledge, and celebrating the shared love of the trails that connect us all.

Eiji shared a vision for the future of a global trail community, stating, “Long-distance trails now exist all around the world. While each has its own history and regional characteristics, the experiences shared by hikers are universal. I hope that a global culture will continue to grow—where hikers explore trails across countries, contribute to the care of their home trails, and share their experiences with other.”

Kumi and Shin both offered encouragement for everyone who loves trails to get involved in protecting them for the future. For Kumi, “long-distance hiking is a wonderful and meaningful experience—but trail maintenance can be just as enjoyable and fulfilling, if not more so. I encourage everyone to try it at least once.”

Shin shares this call to all trail lovers and hikers: “Let’s cherish and continue to protect these beautiful places. Trails connect people, cultures, and nature. I believe they are a shared treasure that we all must work together to preserve for future generations.”

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All photos by Ben Earp Photography.