Ben Davis
New pastures by the sea: Meet the transplants who call Hakodate and Aoshima home
We head to the northern and southern corners of Japan to chat to the newcomers who have escaped the big-city bustle and the locals who simply wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
How nature-focused lifestyle brand Sanu is shifting Japanese perceptions of second homes
The Tokyo-based company is luring city dwellers back to nature with its cleverly manufactured modular cabins.
The five fashion collaborations and retail launches to know now
As 2026 begins to find its groove, we cross continents to reveal the most impressive and noteworthy projects.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo is back – here’s what’s new after the 19-month renovation
The iconic Tokyo hotel is once again hosting guests following a subtle and stately refurbishment.
Inside Y. & Sons’ new Omotesando store, and its vision for the new kimono
Ten years on, Y. & Sons a far cry from niche. The Omotesando store shows how the brand plans to grow without diluting its vision
Olympian secrets to the perfect ski jacket: How Tomoya Ishii helped inform Goldwin’s innovative collection
We catch up with the Tokyo-based field tester to discuss his on-mountain priorities, Goldwin’s newest collection and what to look for in high-end skiwear.
Umekita Park – Osaka’s newest development proving greenery has a place and purpose in urban environments
Osaka isn’t known for generous green spaces but its latest multiuse development is an exception. Monocle visits the expansive station-connected park.
How locals saved and reinvented a modernist Junzo Sakakura building
A modernist icon was saved from demolition by the local community and given a second chance. It’s now a cultural complex with a striking 19-key hotel. Shall we show you around?
Grabbing a table at food court P – the new cafeteria offering global fare in Futako-Tamagawa
Food entrepreneurs have revived an area on the edge of the Japanese capital, and they're quickly winning over the hearts – and stomachs – of locals.
The artisans battling to keep craft alive with achingly beautiful creations
Monocle looks at the ways that artisans around the world are preserving ancient skills and processes by making sure that they remain relevant and desirable in the modern world.
