Kohei Take
Listen up! For cities to thrive, they need to sound as good as they look
Noise pollution in urban environments is on the rise but better acoustic planning could help to silence the issue.
Japan’s beloved FamilyMart reimagines the convenience store at its new Tokyo flagship
“Konbini” are ubiquitous in Japan but FamilyMart’s next-generation concept, Famima Park Azabudai, directed by Nigo, transforms the everyday retail category into a bold queue-worthy destination.
How Tokyo made it to the top of Monocle’s 2026 Quality of Life Survey
Our Tokyo bureau chief tells us about daily life in the calm, clean and ambitious Japanese capital.
Japan’s resort industry hits new heights at Nagano’s Karuizawa T-Site
The collaborative project between books giant Tsutaya and Mitsubishi Estate in the mountain resort of Karuizawa offers a template for rethinking premium rural retail and hospitality.
The collapsible electric Tatamel Bike is changing how cities can move
Tokyo-based start-up Icoma makes this electric two-wheeler that can be collapsed to the size of a suitcase. This Monocle Design Award winner shows that the best design solutions emerge from everyday frustrations.
Step into the revamped Yaeca Home Store – a Tokyo shop and café offering a chance to slow down
The latest bricks-and-mortar venture from Japanese brand Yaeca Home Store offers a retreat from the everyday, expanding its presence beyond a simple retail outlet.
Exploring Japan’s most original retailers: Six in-person concept stores with delightful offerings
We celebrate the businesses whose imaginative concepts are re-energising Japan’s in-person retail sector, from the small football hub with an original pitch to the cookware company that’s inviting customers into its kitchen.
The commute: Step aboard Takaoka’s city tram with Mayor Yuzuru Demachi
We join the mayor of the coastal Japanese city of Takaoka, Yuzuru Demachi, on his morning tram ride to city hall, which he uses as a daily opportunity to communicate with his constituents.
Penthouses for poodles: The rise of Japan’s hi-tech, pet-first homes
Scenting opportunity in the rise in animal ownership, canny developers are creating fetching homes designed with your furry friends in mind.
Pritzker Prize winner Riken Yamamoto on creating spaces that connect people and generations
Discover how Yamamoto’s approach to public and private space creates architecture that nurtures community and memory.
