Last month we were very lucky to have been able to visit Japan, an amazing place of very different culture, lovely people, food, amazing technology - like 3D billboards and the Shinkansen (bullet trains), scenery and is one of the leading paper making countries. 
The paper and stationery shops were a paper lover's heaven!  You wanted one of everything...

We even made paper ourselves at Gokayama Washi Factory! What fun.
Did you know the term Washi actually means 'Japanese paper' and refers to the method of making paper from a type of Mulberry tree bark dissolved in water and 'dyed' white in snow. We are so used to seeing Washi tape that we think washi only refers to it - think again...