Paula Thistleton wasn’t chasing a postcard version of Japan when signed up for Guided by Nature’s Japan Salt Road Walk. A solo traveller, she was hoping to dig beyond the typical tourist traps to experience everything Japanese landscapes, culture and cuisine has to offer.
At 65, Paula is an experienced traveller. Her career took her extensively around Australia, and later, she dabbled in international trips throughout Europe, India, Papua New Guinea, the United States, SIngapore and New Zealand.
Guided by Nature’s Salt Road Walk in Japan was the perfect fit for her next adventure: an elevated, small group experience for a woman looking for a challenge.
“As a woman of a certain age, I’m quite comfortable doing things by myself but it was also the first time I’d been to Japan,” she says.
“This felt like a safe way of travelling there and it wasn’t about doing the general touristy thing.”
Instead of crowded cities and itineraries centred on sightseeing, the eight-day guided walk traces part of the historic Shionomichi, or “Salt Road” through central Japan. Unlike other popular walks in Japan, the Shionomichi remains relatively untouched by tourists.
For Paula, much of the appeal of the walk lay in the physical challenge it presented and the depth of the cultural experience.
“I didn’t really have expectations,” she says. “It was more about whether I was physically capable of doing eight days of walking.”
“For women who want a bit of a safe adventure and to stretch themselves, it’s really well placed.
“Guided by Nature provided all the information possible about how to prepare physically, what to pack, and the itinerary.”
Walking through culture
The fully guided walking tour follows an historic 120-kilometre trail connecting Niigata and Nagano through central Japan. The Salt Road saw Paula traverse through steep mountain paths with rope assists, forests of cedar trees and maple trees, flooded streams, lakes, rice fields and national parks.
“We did have a day where it had really poured with rain, so we were traversing streams that were slightly flooded,” Paula explains, recalling how the guide acknowledged her slight hesitancy and helped her across.
“I did say to the rest of the group, do you mind if I go first? That sense of acknowledging my concern was really nice for me.”
Early in the journey, the group visited a local farm and experienced a 13-course degustation meal prepared with ingredients grown metres from the table.
“[It was about] being really present with your food and understanding how crockery matched with the story of the rice and the meal,” Paula says.
“The whole experience was an immersion in the taste, the smell and the visuals and an understanding of Japanese sensibilities.
“Over a couple of hours, we just sat, talked, and we were educated about the wines and the food. If you are an experienced traveller, you do want that education.”
From sake brewed with rice grown in local fields, to fresh fish and noodles, food was a real highlight of Paula’s trip. Having a local as her guide helped to develop that immersion.
“The main guide was born and bred in the area that we went to and had lived there all their life, so you’re getting that really beautiful experience with a local connection.
“If you have travelled a bit, you’re looking for a little bit more than just going and looking. You want to learn and experience as much as you can,” Paula says.
“We were up in farmland, and you’re meeting people along the path. And then you’re up in the hills and the mountains.”
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Craving some time away in nature? You could win a walk for two on Tasmanian Walking Company’s world-first Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk. Find out more.
If you sign up to become a Women’s Agenda Member, you’ll receive two entries into the competition.
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Luxury amid the wilderness
Despite spending her days traversing through some of Japan’s most beautiful natural landscapes, Paula and her walking group were also able to indulge in some much-needed elements of luxury.
From traditional onsen lodges to upscale hotels, accommodation was a real highlight of the trip for Paula.
“After a really hard day and a long walk, coming back and having a traditional hotel room was beautiful. Going in to have a hot onsen experience and then coming back to enjoy a tea service was excellent,” Paula said.
When you’ve had a day of walking, food is always top of mind. Paula says the culinary experience on offer did not disappoint.
“The food was fantastic, it was gourmet and we even went to beautiful villages where you’re taken into intimate little restaurants where the family is making your food,” she said. “They were chopping the wood to boil the water for the rice, and you get to have a chat.”
Doing it solo and feeling stronger for it
While Paula joined the Guided by Nature walk in Japan alone, she says the company of other seasoned travellers in the group built a supportive and affirming atmosphere.
“[Everyone] was a traveller who loved nature and they wanted to get to know you, and I wanted to get to know them. It’s about a shared experience,” Paula says.
It also brought a profound sense of personal achievement. Traversing the rugged Japanese landscapes by foot is not for the faint of heart.
“At the end, [I told our guide] I’m scared of heights, I haven’t walked for ages, and I just want to let you know, I feel damn good,” Paula said.
“I did it as a birthday gift to myself. And now my sister’s going to do it too.”
Find out more about Guided by Nature’s Salt Road Walk experience here.
Craving some time away in nature? You could win a walk for two on Tasmanian Walking Company’s world-first Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk. Find out more.
If you sign up to become a Women’s Agenda Member, you’ll receive two entries into the competition.