MONOCLE

26 results for Kumamoto

E 84

Article

Flying fish

20 May 2015

Characterised by its tiny fleet and dolphin-adorned livery, Japan’s Amakusa Airline takes a quirky line in attracting new customers.

Monocle Minute

US retailer Need Supply Co has just opened its third bricks-and-mortar location, this time in the charming city of Kumamoto in southern Japan. This is the company’s second shop in Japan, which has followed hot on the heels…

Monocle Minute

Bear necessities

29 April 2016

Two weeks after a series of earthquakes rocked Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, the region’s biggest celebrity Kumamon is pitching in to help. The prefecture’s mascot – a mischievous black bear with red cheeks…

Monocle Minute

Wheel deal

6 October 2016

Japan’s two motorcycle behemoths, Yamaha and Honda, are laying old feuds aside to partner up in the production of 50cc scooters. This singular move has come amid a shrinking Japanese market and a growing need to cut costs…

Monocle Minute

All in a day’s work

19 April 2016

Within hours of the earthquakes that rattled buildings and nerves in Kumamoto last week, Japan’s military – the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) – had sent troops to the hard-hit southwestern prefecture. About 25,000 troops are…

Monocle Minute

Shaky ground

21 April 2016

The slow drip of information from nuclear-plant managers Tepco after Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in March 2011 infuriated many Japanese. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has now come in for sim…

Monocle Minute

Animal house

21 November 2016

When a series of powerful earthquakes hit southern Japan’s Kumamoto in April, many pet owners sought shelter in their cars so that they could stay with their animals. According to a recent survey published by pet insurer…

A 129

Article

Follow the bear

19 November 2019

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.

E 37

Article

Monocle travel guide

16 September 2010

This month’s tips for travellers include foodie havens in Jerusalem and Miami, and beautiful places to lay your head in Santiago, Copenhagen and the Italian countryside. We also profile Japan’s one-plane airline, Amakusa…

E 31

Article

Dream a little dream

18 February 2010

In the second of our series on niche airlines, we take a trip on one of two planes – one red, one blue – run by the tiny, but ambitious, Fuji Dream Airlines.

i 107

Article

Best in class: Imadeya

21 September 2017

The friendly neighbourhood liquor store taking Japan’s small-batch Sakè, sochu, wine and whiskey around the world.

i 117

Article

Always a surprise in store

20 September 2018

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.

D 2017

Article

Building momentum

8 December 2016

From homelessness to hurricanes, the issues that call for homes that can be thrown up swiftly and securely are diverse. But it also helps if they can profit their surroundings – both financially and aesthetically.

D 107

Article

Jailhouse blocks

21 September 2017

From prisons to police stations, how modern thinking is forging arresting new architecture.

A 129

Article

Japanese lessons

19 November 2019

Impeccable service, responsible citizenship and warm hospitality are just some of the practices that make society tick in Japan. Here are 10 things the country can teach the world.

L 4

Article

Staying power

13 May 2021

Adaptability is the key to the long-term success of your company. When travel restrictions brought on a sudden loss of business for Hoshino Resorts, the hotel management firm had to change tack. CEO Yoshiharu Hoshino tells…