Walk the walk: Nagano wants an all-year reputation

A popular winter sports destination with Australian travellers, the Japanese alpine city of Nagano is looking to build on that popularity by luring outdoor enthusiasts during the warmer months.

Among the major regional attractions is the famous ancient route Nakasendo, which for more than 400 years has cut a path through the mountainous heart of main island Honshu.

As one of five major historic roads - known as Gokaido - to connect corners of Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868), Nakasendo links the imperial capital of Kyoto with Tokyo, passing through the Nagano Prefecture.

It is the longest of the historic links, stretching more than 540 kilometres, although today’s hikers mainly choose to trek sections rather than the entire route.

“We aim to increase tourist interest in Nagano beyond the ski slopes, the hot springs and the bathing snow monkeys,” said Helen Wong, the Australian representative for Nagano Tourism Organization.

“Nakasendo was an important thoroughfare utilised by Daimyo lords, peasants, traders and religious pilgrims,” she said.

“To stretch the legs on a section of the road opens a fascinating insight into what life was like in Japan during the Edo Period. Equally appealing are the many panoramic viewing points and villages visited along the way.”

The move to promote Nagano as a summer destination came with the release of the latest tourism nine-month statistics (January-August) which showed a 25% growth in night stays by Australians compared with the same period last year.

To highlight what Nakasendo has to offer to Australians, a webinar will take place in March, covering the best walks along the winding trails, the mountainous scenery, various inns and bubbling hot springs.

A date for the webinar will be confirmed in the early new year.

Interest will also focus on the food scene, the fresh local ingredients used to create seasonal dishes that are distinct from other areas of Japan.

See Go Nagano (go-nagano.net)

No monkey business: Nagano sets its sights on Australian tourists

Nagano is probably not the first region that comes to mind for Australians visiting Japan.

But the Nagano Tourism Oganization plans to change that by appointing its first Australian representative to boost awareness. 

And not just any representative but industry veteran Helen Wong, a legendary figure in the travel business over five decades. 

It is significant move by the regional tourism body that aims to position Nagano - known as the Rooftop of Japan - in the forefront of Australian travellers’ thoughts and plans through strategic marketing and public relations.

The first assignment will take place on Tuesday, February 27 with a 30-minute themed webinar on the  prefecture, which hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 1998. 

See https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPgBtF4GSrwa-GHiJlJYYbTgVXGvyXoUs9wFtD3nMbxX10sw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0n_xHnwevwwsiIsLsnyB8tZXBoH5DI5dfs83dn4Rj8quZlQWUGzx7EvZ4 

Nagano is 225km north-west of Tokyo and one of the major attractions in the alpine region is the Jigokudani Monkey Park (top), where the Japanese macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys, bathe in the hot springs. 

Tokyo and Nagano are connected by the Hokoriku Shinkansen (bullet train) - which takes 80-minutes. 

“It’s an honour to be representing this breath-taking, naturally gifted corner of Japan,” said Wong (right).

“Nagano has so much to offer with a great number of Australians already familiar with the ski fields, national parks, hot springs and, of course, the Jigokudani Monkey Park,” she said.

“There’s a lot more to the region, however, which needs to be highlighted in attracting newcomers and further building on the already impressive figures.”

Wong has 45 years’ of experience in global tourism having represented the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Commission. She also has her own events and travel business.

See go-nagano.net