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Kenji Hall

Design

Transport design: full steam ahead

Japan’s long-distance trains are entering a new era of luxury and innovation. Monocle visits the industrial and interior designers who are redefining train travel.

  • Issue #95
  • 7 min read
Transport design: full steam ahead
Urbanism

Grand plans

Running a city is a daunting task, whether hosting the Olympics or overhauling transport. So who would take it on? We meet seven mayors bearing the weight of a city on their shoulders.

  • Issue #95
  • 21 min read
Grand plans
Business

Expo 92: What’s in store?

Tokyo’s Isetan department store finds success by treating customers like royalty and turning shopping into an experience. Monocle hands over its credit card to a kimono-clad sales associate.

  • Issue #92
  • 13 min read
Expo 92: What’s in store?
Travel and restaurants

Food

We sample seafood at a one-time grocery store and try mezze at a former 1950s beauty salon that’s now a Turkish taverna. We also wet our whistle with some lively Italian aperitivos.

  • Issue #92
  • 5 min read
Food
Retail

Isetan: shopping as spectacle

One of Japan's most venerable department stores, Isetan stocks everything you'll ever need. We hit the shop floor to find out the secret of its success.

  • Film
  • 2 min watch
A shop assistant at Isetan mall in Tokyo.
Affairs

Asia

Building a new state capital in India, South Korean entertainment and a political dynasty in the Philippines.

  • Issue #90
  • 4 min read
Asia
Food & Drink

Food

Blessed are the cheesemakers, brewers, bakers and restaurateurs making our meals a pleasure. Here’s our pick of the vital victuallers making Monocle’s February menu.

  • Issue #90
  • 6 min read
Food

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