What do you think about when you think about Japan? Fuji-san, shinkansen, tabi, kabuki, rituals, gravel gardens, shrines among the pines. Not here. Beyond the postcards are the people; a nation of unusual ingenuity, fire…
The much-loved cherry blossom season is big business in
Japan. But when will it hit? To find out, a private weather forecaster employs all the tools at its disposal – including
people power – to pinpoint the top petal…
Japanese digital art collective TeamLab is seizing the aesthetic possibilities of technology to remaster what it means to both create and experience artworks. We took a stroll among the flowers in their brave new world.
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.
