Danielle Demetriou
50 things to improve your life
You don’t need to sample everything we’ve listed. But then again maybe you do — we’re quite sure these deliver the goods.
Stage craft
As the summer festival season approaches we visited the factories of three musical instrument makers who are world leaders for their attention to craft and superior sound quality.
Forest wisdom
Sankara Hotel & Spa is a new eco-friendly island hideaway off the coast of Kyushu, surrounded by ancient forests. It offers detached villas with a blend of Balinese design and Japanese hospitality.
Balmy army
Guam’s population will increase by almost half when the US military relocates from Okinawa. It’s a milestone in the island’s history and a development boom is under way.
Master Shibatayama
Former Grand Champion sumo wrestler Master Shibatayama chooses a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shinjuku for his Last Meal. He runs a sumo school and is the author of several books on regional sweets.
Nature’s teachings
Dai Nippon Printing’s new training centre by architect Kenya Ishihara was designed to inspire. With a spa and views of Mount Fuji, it seems more like a retreat than a place of work.
Snow place like home
Seduced by Siberia’s powdery snow, Australian skiers stayed to open hotels and cafés, kickstarting a small business and development boom in Niseko, a once sleepy town in Japan’s far north.
Happy now?
Famous for its Gross National Happiness index, Bhutan has been a democracy for just over a year. Monocle talks to its prime minister about how times are changing in the Himalayan nation.
With more interest
Sugamo Shinkin Bank’s new Niiza branch features an innovative and colourful design. Looking more like an art gallery than a bank, it's having an uplifting impact on staff and customers.
