Nothing says 'I've been to Japan' like buying a new suitcase while you're out there to help carry all the souvenirs you bought for the whole family, and the wacky kit kat flavours you're gifting to everyone in the office. Maybe you're planning your first trip right now, and gazing longingly at the souvenir your friend brought you back from their trip!

If any of this applies to you then listen close - Axel Deroubaix, a Frenchman residing in Japan has come up with a fantastic way of bringing Japan to us, whilst we still can't go to Japan quite yet...

The global pandemic has brought a lot of struggles for the authentic little accommodations that we really enjoy when we're travelling but it's also taught us a lot of lessons about how we feel in terms of travel. We sat down with the owner of the Bandai Lakeside Guesthouse to talk about the interest that has built around this remote wilderness escape.

When it comes to culturally rich destinations with a wealth of scenic vistas and sun-splashed landscapes, Kagoshima maybe takes the cake. It's also home to one of the most interesting Japanese stately homes and gardens, Sengan-en, which still remains in the hands of its original owners - the Shimadzu clan. Alex Bradshaw has spent well over a decade working closely with them and has built a life in Kagoshima, far far away from the Yorkshire hills of Sheffield, where he was born. He shares his top tips and thoughts on why the area is so special.