The Toto Toilet Museum in Kokura City, Fukuoka is a real fine. It’s just one of those places that you don’t expect to be very good until you turn up one day and it blows your expectations out of the water.
Today we take toilets for granted, but obviously the technology of toilets have changed considerably over the decades from the basic and very substandard models of yesteryear. The first thing you noticed when you walk in is how big the museum is. Not only spacious, but the interior design and the atmosphere of the place is incredible as well. As you walk through from room to room and exhibition to exhibition you soon realize how much you didn't know about this product that you use on a daily basis!
There’s just so much to see and explore. Not only do you have a timeline of when different technologies came into place, but it also shows the transformation of the toilet in different continents of the world and obviously in particular Japan. One of the most interesting experiences at the museum and actually when you have to go to the toilet! The latest toilet technology is there to greet you, I can tell you its an incredible feeling!
Did you know that the TOTO toilet company was originally a ceramics and porcelain company? Of course, when that market became saturated, the TOTO company had to look elsewhere and one of the most dynamic markets at that time was in the bathroom sector. All I can say is that, not only will it be an incredibly interesting attraction but you will definitely learn a lot. You never know that information might come in handy one day!
If you don’t have a TOTO toilet, it’s about time you got one. It will change your life in so many ways for the better.
Please check out the TOTO Toilet Company here on this map below:
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Amazing structure indeed
Plenty of English
Lots of toilet seats to sit on
Originally a ceramics company
The famous asian squat toilet
Lavender toilet anyone
Incredible showroom
Continental difference explained
Everyone loves TOTO
Please click on these videos below to see more about the TOTO toilet museum:
Ureshino town in Saga prefecture is a famous producer of Japanese tea. It is located in a basin surrounded by foggy mountains and is ideally suited to growing tea with its fresh air and clean water supply. The Tokunaga teahouse is a specialty shop that sells a wide variety of green, brown and black teas, including the most sort after tea of the lot, namely Matcha.
This Traditional tea has a specific tea called Tamaryocha ( curly tea ) due to its unique rounded profile of its tea leaves. These leaves have a strong aroma and umami taste. There’s no other region in Japan that sells this type of tea. If you didn’t know, a green tea has a unique taste, and that includes its astringency, bitterness, and most importantly it's Umami There are many health benefits, including catechin, fluoride, caffeine, and most importantly theanine.
What I love about bringing customers to the Tokunaga tea house is that they have an English speaking tea sommelier who originally comes from Slovenia. She is friendly, polite, and most importantly very professional about her craft. It is here where you can get down to the nitty-gritty of the many different elements that go into tea producing and obviously drinking. They have a wide variety of products so be careful, it’s very difficult to leave this place without stocking up on all your favorites. But don't worry they make the decision making process easy by allowing you to sample and compare the dozens of types of tea that they have in stock including many original ones not sold anywhere.
A real tea experience that must be tried to be believed.
Please check out the Tokunaga Tea House on this map below:
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interesting varieties
gift packs galore
Products galore
Smell test
lots of samples
A private audience with a real pro
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Kokura Castle was built in 1602 at the beginning of the Edo Period The Castle was destroyed by fire in 1866, and the current castle tower is a ferro-concrete reconstruction from 1959. The castle's traditional architecture provides an interesting visual contrast to the neighboring modern shopping and entertainment center.
The castle grounds are now known as Katsuyama Park and are a popular cherry blossom spot but in reality that structure and its surround offers remarkable foliage and nature spots all year long, The castle keep seems to have four floors from the outside, but actually has five on the inside. The modern interior introduces the local history with displays, an interactive zone and a small theater where visitors can get a hands-on and visual experience of past castle life. The castle's top floor offers panoramic views over the city and has a great cafe to get a drink and a snack in a relaxing atmosphere
A small Japanese garden with pond was opened in 1998 on the castle grounds. The garden can be viewed from a traditional building with multiple Tatami rooms whereby a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony can be experienced. The walk around the Castle is also a great and a nearby Shrine can be visited for a quick blessing and prayer and to cap it all off a Gift shop is also present for those who wish to grab that one very special gift or keep sake from your amazing Japanese traditional experience.
Please check out the Kokura Castle below on the map:
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Please click on these videos below to see more about the Kokura Castle.
