Hibiya Central Market is the soul of the shopping mall, where you can wander and linger among kiosks, perfectly edited fashion stores and unpretentious restaurants with a touch of old-school Tokyo.
Conde House is a sturdy presence in Japanese wooden-furniture manufacturing that’s replanting its regional roots and retaining its traditional hands-on approach.
With fewer clients around, smart Japanese hairdressers are putting design to the fore to win valuable customers. And there are fringe benefits too. We take a pew in three of Tokyo’s finest establishments.
This renowned Japanese photographic artist has an eye for good grub: as well as being an accomplished cook, he has a penchant for puffer fish. Here he takes us on a journey from ‘jambon’ to Dom Pérignon – and explains why…
Fiona Wilson reporting from Setouchi: Most cruise-ship owners have gone for boats as large as city blocks. But in Japan a big player is using architects to make the cruise a truly bespoke experience with only a tiny number…
Forget big-box shops or available-anywhere finds. Japan’s former capital is a haven for crafty shoppers and those looking for something a little different.
Fiona Wilson reporting from Tottori, Japan: To run a great hotel, sometimes all you need to do is leave well alone. Fortunately the owners of Toukouen have let their 1960s architectural hot property mellow with age.
Ishinomaki Laboratory rose from the rubble of the earthquake that struck Japan six years ago.
Here’s how the furniture workshop helped to rebuild the community, stool by stool, and went on to become a thriving business.
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Train stations are often seen as halfway houses – gateways to a city or state. But thanks to the clutch of shops, restaurants and bars beneath its arches, Nakameguro Station in Tokyo is a buzzing destination in itself.
How to care for an increasingly large ageing population is a question that faces every city. But those that answer it – as the city of Toyama has – by inviting seniors to live and interact in their centres are discovering…
The house that Japanese architect Tsutomu Abe built for himself 42 years ago says as much about his thoughtful design process as it does about his humble character. He takes us on a tour and discusses the vital relationship…
‘House Vision’ is an exhibition that invites creative thinkers to explore new possibilities for urban living. Welcome to the future of the Japanese house – delivery-friendly outdoor fridge and handy pull-down bath included…
This modernist home designed by little-known architect Reginald N Uren looks deceptively simple but it’s a surprisingly complex structure that has been lovingly nurtured.
As the three great Australian high streets we’ve profiled attest, the country’s retail market is proving resilient in spite of the strength of e-commerce and the rise of malls. Australians are still keen to spend money in…
Classic Japanese bars, with their soothing lighting, knowledgeable and immaculately turned-out bar staff and loyal clientele, have remained blissfully resistant to change. What are you having?
Countries are busy investing in their tourism industries but this no longer means simply hotels and restaurants. Meet the next generation of maître d’s, waiters and flight attendants who are enrolling in the world’s best…
Publishing granddaddy Magazine House has helped guide Japan’s cultural conversation with a stable of timely titles. Monocle met the president for a lesson in vitality and to discuss print’s place in a digital world.
