Nagano offers a different slice of Japan

While popular Japanese destinations like Kyoto and Tokyo are trying to cut down on tourism numbers, others are lifting their promotional efforts to draw more visitors.

The lovely Nagano region is campaigning to draw more Australians off the beaten track to explore its traditional villages while taking in the mountain views.

A popular northern winter escape for Aussie skiers and snowboarders, Nagano is also showcasing other attractions that are a feature of the area all year round, including trekking and cycling .

The alpine region - about 250km north-west of Tokyo - wants to appeal to visitors interested in its traditions, culture and cuisine.

Visitors are being encouraged to look beyond the high-profile attractions which include Zenko-ji Temple, Matsumoto Castle and the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where snow monkeys bathe in the springs.

“Unlike the bustling cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, we are looking at attracting travellers to experience a more authentic, less touristy side of Japan,” said Helen Wong, Australian representative of the Nagano Tourism Organization.

“We aim to unearth a side of Nagano that will appeal and surprise Australians looking for an escape from the typical tourist crowds and in search of a special experience.

“In doing so, we are focusing on the alpine area’s traditional villages and the spectacular rural settings that surround them.”

One such example is the Nakasendo, a 534km ancient trail that connects Kyoto with Tokyo. Built during the Edo Period (1603-1868), it was one of the longest but safest routes to travel along between the old and new capitals.

It was one of five major roads established at the time, but unlike others that have succumbed to modern development, much of the Nakasendo in the Nagano Prefecture has remained untouched.

Parts of the road that people travelled along hundreds of years ago, as well as the towns in which they stayed during the long journeys, can still be seen today.

“Magome, Tsumago and Narai are the most well-preserved and popular towns to visit,” said Wong.

“Visitors can walk among these ancient settlements and along the old roads that connected them, and you will experience a slice of Japan’s history that many of today’s guests miss."

Recent figures released by the Nagano Tourism Organisation show the Australian market at number two behind Japan’s neighbours Taiwan for time spent in Nagano.

For more details see https://www.go-nagano.net/en/

So you really want to get off the beaten track?

Fancy exploring countries that are just names on the nightly news for most of us.

Georgia and Armenia are intriguing destinations appealing to adventurous travellers.

With 2025 marking 10 years since the Transcaucasian Trail began taking shape, World Expeditions has unveiled an intriguing sounding experience in the Caucasus mountains.

When completed the Transcaucasian Trail will extend over 3,000km connecting more than 20 National Parks and protected areas along what has been widely touted as "the next big thing in trekking".

World Expeditions was the first operator to offer the option to trek selected sections of the long-distance trail in both Armenia and Georgia.

“Armenia and Georgia are the only two countries on the trail that have been adequately mapped so far, and this occurred back in 2019," says Sue Badyari, CEO of World Expeditions.

"Since then the trail has captured the imagination of active travellers around the world, in spite of - or perhaps due to the fact that it ranks as one of the most inaccessible mountains in the world.

“The inaccessibility of the trail is due to a lack of reliable and detailed data. The best available topographic maps are thought to be decades-old Soviet military maps, while public domain aerial imagery is often of low quality and inconsistent.

"The fact that the region remains relatively unchartered and has subsequently received less media attention only heightens its allure for adventurous travellers.”

The region has preserved a distinct identity and cultural heritage: the earliest evidence of wine-making, more than 8,000 years ago, has been found in Georgia, while Armenia is considered as the first nation to adopt Christianity as its officially religion.

The trek route is home to a number of ethnic groups, with more than 40 indigenous languages spoken across the region it is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world.

In addition, the Caucasus is a biodiversity hotspot: a quarter of the approximately 6,500 plant species that have been found in the mountains are estimated to exist nowhere else on earth, while the varied native fauna includes the rare Caucasian leopard.

Although the two sections of the Transcaucasian Trail are offered by World Expeditions as separate itineraries, the dates have been especially chosen so keen hikers wishing to tick off both countries in one trip can complete the Armenia segment first and then continue the trail in Georgia.

Transcaucasian Trail Hike features high-altitude grasslands, permanently snow-capped peaks, thick forests and shrubby plateaus.

Armenia - 8 days, departures from May 26; from $3190 per person, including all meals. Flights not included.

Georgia - 10 days, departures from June 19; from $3690 per person, including all meals. Flights not included.

Accommodation ranges from hotels to village guest houses. 

In addition, World Expeditions also offers a two-week Armenia to Georgia by Bike adventure (14 days, $6890 per person, departures from May 14 with an itinerary that starts in Yerevan and finishes in Tbilisi.

For more information and bookings visit worldexpeditions.com

Image: Hiking in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains (Shutterstock)

Chic new accommodation just a stroll from the Tasmanian wilderness

Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania's most exquisite destinations.

It is also one of the best-kept secrets on the island state despite being located less than an hour from the capital city of Hobart.

Visit midweek and you can have exquisite rainforest walks and views of spectacular waterfalls virtually to yourself.

While tourists flock to Freycinet National Park on the east coast and the Cradle Mountain National Park in the north-west, the many charms of Mount Field remain largely undiscovered.

With its several spectacular waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, a short walk through stands of some of the world's tallest hardwood trees and Tasmanian eucalypt rainforests leads to spectacular three-tiered Russell Falls (above).

There are few spots on the planet where the air is so fresh and clean and the  area has been protected for its natural beauty since 1885, when it was set aside as Tasmania's first nature reserve. It used to be home to the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger, or thylacine.

Mount Field National Park was founded in 1916, making it, along with Freycinet National Park, Tasmania's oldest national park.

Mount Field is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, so there is no accommodation inside the park, but just outside the gates you'll find the beginnings of an exciting new accommodation project..

The first stage of Mt Field Retreat opened a few weeks ago with a collection of comfortable self-contained pods.

The complex is the work of Greg and Rachel Power and their children, who also operate Waterfalls Café and Gallery in the national park visitor centre

There will eventually be 12 pods, a conference and training centre and seven luxury villas as part of the complex, which is a terrific base from which to explore the Derwent Valley and further afield.  

The pods are all impressively decked out with a king-size bed and plush sofa bed, kitchenette with stove top and dishwasher, and a shower that delivers plenty of hot water.

There are plenty of power points and USB slots and some colourful artworks on the wall. There are also TVs in both the lounge and bedroom, along with Netflix.

Make sure you bring plenty of food with you, however. The nearest supermarket is a fair drive away and the local pub only serves dinner from Friday nights onwards.

You can grab breakfast and lunch just a short stroll away at Waterfalls café - where you can expect hearty country flavours.

The National Park Hotel, also within walking distance of the pods, is a classic Australian country pub with friendly locals, a pool table and picnic area. 

The decorations include an axe that once belonged to Tasmanian champion woodchopper David Foster and pictures of long-forgotten local Aussie Rules teams.

Canoeing, trekking and cycling options are right on your doorstep here and guests might spot a platypus in the Tyenna River or endangered eastern quolls scurrying through the undergrowth.

Rates range from $250-$303 a night and in winter the slopes of the Mount Mawson ski field are just a short drive away.

Book direct for the cheapest rate at https://mtfieldretreat.com.au/

 

• # The writer was a guest of Tourism Tasmania an Mt Field Retreat.