Museums in Japan are anything but usual: where else would you find one entirely devoted to everything bathroom like the TOTO Museum on Kyushu? Japan has plenty of show stopping options and we’ve collected a list of some favourites located in various places across the country.

Dorothee Eshin Takatsu, originally from Germany, is an ordained Zen Priest in the Rinzai Tradition. In 2004 she established her Zen Retreat Center, Horakuan, in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture where she now offers Zen retreats with a creative touch to Japanese and foreign visitors. We talked about how she became a monk in Japan and what kind of experiences await visitors to Horakuan.

The Kii Peninsula south of Osaka and Nagoya is a treasure trove of sacred places waiting to be discovered in its three prefectures – Wakayama, Nara and Mie. We talked to Alena Eckelmann of Kii Monogatari about the still unknown area of southern Mie and asked for her top trip recommendations. Alena has been living in Hongu, a small town in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula for over ten years now which makes her a seasoned local. 

Moo and Simon are a Japanese-British couple who fell in love with Kyushu and decided to start their own travel agency there. Kyushu Journeys helps English-speaking visitors plan their dream holidays around the beautiful Kyushu and offers incredible tours. Read on to discover their tips on exploring Kyushu on a budget, themed trips they offer, and top places you need to see when visiting for the first time!

You don't have to be in Japan to experience its revolutionary aesthetics especially when it comes to natural scapes. Japan is famous for its unforgettable gardens and we've picked our top 10 authentic gardens you can enjoy without leaving the UK and Ireland! Check out our list to find out where to find the best traditional rock gardens, flowing waters and vibrant red torii gates!