The origami experience was a unique activity unlike anything I’ve tried before. After a brief tour through the store we had an origami demonstration from a fascinating and humorous male teacher who also gave glimpses into Japanese history and culture. His origami skills were incredible, and he taught us how to make some basic origami sculptures, including the famous crane. How about this origami heart I made?

I enjoyed authentic dining at the Kanifuku in Nihonbashi. The cosy, traditional restaurant was casual and friendly and I opted for a lunch meal of crab with rice served with green tea. The food was delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese atmosphere.

The cultural experiences would be a great introduction into Japanese culture for someone who is new to Tokyo. Our kimono-wearing guides were incredibly knowledgeable and professional and took us to some beautiful and interesting sites. I particularly enjoyed visiting Fukutoku Jinja shrine where we were taught about shrine etiquette and how visiting the shrine fits into the everyday lives of locals.

Nezu Museum was my favourite place to visit during our day in Tokyo. The sculptures and art were beautiful but the real highlight was the incredible gardens. It was a pleasure to walk through the tranquil gardens and discover hidden statues and little bridges over the ponds. It was almost sunset when we visited and the colour of the pinky sky against and the autumnal leaves was beautiful.

Dinner at Akasaka Umaya was delicious. This was a place I would recommend everyone to visit. You enter through a peaceful garden hidden away off the busy street and immediately walk into an authentic and welcoming restaurant. Our course dinner was delicious and it was a great opportunity to try some traditional meals.

Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu was a perfectly located convenience hotel. My room was comfortable and clean and had everything I needed, including a lovely selection of toiletries in the bathroom. With super-fast wifi it was easy to get my work done and relax. There was a great selection at the breakfast buffet and I found the staff to be very friendly and welcoming.

I spent the JAL domestic flight comfortably with friendly staff and a drinks service. The flight was about an hour and a half, and was very quiet, which added to the comfort.

Lunch of “Chicken Namban” at the Kirishima factory was delicious and we also had the opportunity to try some of the tasty cakes and bread in the bakery. This was a memorable meal on this trip. It was relaxed, welcoming, and friendly, and it was a great place to stop for lunch.

At Kirishima Factory Garden, we visited the brewery for distilled spirits, such as Shochu, which we don’t have in the UK.
The cafe was lovely, and the bread and cakes made from the byproduct of the spirits were delicious!

The farm work was fun and it was interesting to see how farmers plough sweet potatoes. They were friendly and welcoming and we had the chance to ride on the tractor and also dig up sweet potatoes by hand. It was a unique experience and was nice to try something most visitors don’t have the opportunity to try. It would have been nice to try two–-three different farming experiences.

Dinner was delicious and felt like a unique and authentic experience. We ate dinner outdoors with a hotpot (oden) over the fire, listening to Japanese music and talking to my family. Our host family told us more about family life in a rural area and all about the food we were eating. After dinner we had a tea ceremony and I was dressed in a beautiful kimono (yukata).

The farm stay experience was incredible and was a real highlight. It was great to see first-hand what life is like in a rural area and experience Japanese family-life. Our early morning walk was a lovely touch. Each experience during our stay was memorable.

The kendo equipment workshop was interesting and our guide through the factory was, of course, passionate and knowledgeable. It was great to see a kendo demonstration and see the outfits in action.

It was lovely to sit on the grass in the sunshine for the shimenawa demonstration. I felt I would like to experience a larger selection of traditional craft activities.

The cycling tour around Saitobaru Tombs was brilliant and it was nice to have our host from the homestay show us around. The area is stunning and I believe my audience will be very interested to see my photos and videos from the beautiful flower fields. Visiting the inside of a tomb was very interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable.

Lunch at Konohanakan was delicious and the range and huge selection we were able to sample was incredible. I loved being able to try so many different types of food during my visit. It was nice to visit the shop and see the different and unique foods available. We also had time to explore the beautiful flower fields nearby which were beautiful and so photogenic.

I loved visiting the beautiful Ayanoteruhaotsuri Bridge. The drive through the village was stunning with the dense forest and lush countryside surrounding. The bridge is beautiful and made for a great photo opportunity. We walked to the waterfall and I loved being immersed in nature and seeing a very different side to Japan.

The Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort was a beautiful and luxurious hotel. We were welcomed warmly and shown to our huge rooms where we had views across the sea and the resort. The sun was beginning to set and it looked very pretty. It was a wonderful first impression of an impressive resort.

Our incredible, private meal at Ushinomiya was the best meal of my whole stay in Miyazaki. With over 20 delicious courses it was very memorable and special touches like a personalised menu at the end of the meal was a lovely touch. The staff during the experience were very friendly and I had the chance to try many meals I haven’t tried before.

I loved my stay at Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort. My room was very spacious and comfortable and the staff made me feel very welcome. I had all the amenities I needed in my bathroom and the fast wifi was great. I loved the high beds and low windows which meant it was perfect to watch the sunrise from bed in the morning. The breakfast was delicious with a huge variety on offer in a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

The resort thought of every detail and the little extras like firepits to roast marshmallows, the writing room to send postcards and the lounges made it extra special. The dinner and breakfast rooms were great and the onsen looked great too. There were a lot of brilliant facilities for children and I know my children would have loved to stay!

This was a brilliant experience and I loved being able to create my own cup. The potter was very patient and encouraging and taught us how to change the shape and mould our pottery. I love the idea my cup will be posted to me in a few months as a perfect handmade souvenir from my time in Miyazaki.

Our lunch at Aoshimaya was a delicious meal of sashimi and prawns with rice. The restaurant was light and airy. It was very welcoming with a relaxed atmosphere and was perfectly located for an afternoon exploring Aoshima.

Aoshima was a beautiful island and another highlight from my time in Miyazaki. It was interesting to learn more about the island and the shrines on it and how the interesting rock formations were created. Walking through the dense forest was magical and we had the chance to make a wish and smash the pottery as we threw it into the trees. The botanical gardens were beautiful and I loved being able to walk around the island.

I enjoyed a quick trip in Tokyo and loved eating out at traditional Japanese restaurants. And also, our time in Miyazaki was fantastic. I loved the area and seeing a different side to this beautiful country. The home stay was an incredibly unique experience and I loved all the outdoor activities.