Kentaro Ito
Orders of merit
From a buzzy Berlin food hall to a Japanese lunch legend’s fresh start, we round up the pick of the new culinary openings, flavoured with a lip-smacking recipe for crispy chicken.
Flip the stitch
Amid relaxing workplace formality standards, Japanese suit sales have fallen sharply. But one Tokyo label is going against the grain. We meet the menswear mavericks behind The Gentleman in the Parlour.
Small is beautiful
Size isn’t everything. Our third annual index of the most welcoming, vibrant small cities around the world presents the best compact urban environments that do it all, focusing on quality of life and opportunity.
Tools of the trade
Expectations of buildings are constantly changing. So how can developers keep pace? By arming themselves with forward-thinking architects and an open mind. These projects hammer the point home.
Briefing: Food and Drink
From a bar in Mexico City to Copenhagen’s new bakeries and food scoops in Seoul and Singapore.
Time to get going
While many were grounded, the travel industry has been gently gearing up. Here are some new developments that you might have missed. We start our tour at a citrus-strewn island hotel in Japan.
Starters’ orders
Beard is back. The Tokyo chef behind the fêted restaurant followed one farmer’s produce to a remote town to help lead an unlikely agricultural revolution.
Bright lights, small city
Considering a downsize from the metropolis? Our second annual Small Cities Index points you to compact civic spots offering rich culture, varied careers and progressive planning with plenty of room to breathe.
Follow the bear
Fluffy, furry mascots are everywhere in Japan but Kumamon has captured the nation’s imagination like no other. We explore his ‘very’ soft-power potential.
Bouncing back
With its new rubber shoe designs, footwear company Moonstar has both rediscovered its manufacturing pride and found a new fan base.
