JAPAN

As I learned today, it doesn’t matter how old you are or how many times you’ve been to Universal Studios Japan™. This place will always, ALWAYS be fun.

Museums in Japan can be dedicated to just about anything you can think of, from the weird and wonderful to the strange and gross. Here are a few we’ve rounded up that we guarantee are worth your visit!

Nagasaki is a strange city in the sense that in many ways, it feels very “un-Japanese”. Much of this has to do with it’s prominence as a port city. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, it was the only port in Japan open to foreign trade hence the proliferation of foreign influences.

The former coal mining settlement is commonly referred to as Gunkanjima or “battleship island” because of its shape, but its real name is Hashima Island. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2015.

Glover Garden is an open air museum that stands on a hill. Its key feature is the Glover Residence, the oldest surviving Western-style house in Japan and one of Nagasaki’s most popular tourist attractions.

I had read books and seen the documentaries but never did I feel so close to that moment as I did then, standing there, looking at the hands of that clock. The thought of it sent chills down my spine. Because at precisely 11:02AM on August 9, 1945, the world, as far as Nagasaki was concerned, stopped.

Yufuin is a small onsen community in Oita prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, there are no tall buildings here. Instead, it has a wealth of boutiques, cafes, and art museums in a laid back, idyllic atmosphere.

Kurokawa Onsen is a hot spring town high up in the mountains of Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu. Set in a forested valley with a river running through it, Kurokawa Onsen is widely considered to be one the most scenic onsen towns in Japan.

I had read nothing but wonderful things about Kurokawa Onsen. Tucked away high up in the mountains of Kumamoto, it’s known for being one of the most beautiful onsen towns in Japan, making it an ideal final stop on our week-long tour of Northern Kyushu.

Practically all the meals we had on this trip were planned and carefully researched beforehand. It’s important for us to find the best places to eat on our trips so we hardly ever walk into random restaurants. Ufufu restaurant in Kurokawa Onsen was one of those rare times, and by chance, it turned out to be one of our best meals in Japan.