The poorest prefecture in Japan, Okinawa, in the far south of the country, is experiencing a renaissance as companies large and small capitalise on its relaxed, affordable lifestyle, great beaches and warm climate. And the…
Despite an unsettled history and political identity, due to its location at the point where Japan faces China under the watchful eyes of the US military, Naha seems healthy, happy and relaxed, and a long way from Japan’s…
The offshore prefecture of Okinawa has long been thought of as a separate entity from the rest of Japan due to its strong US military presence, distinct culture and geography. Tropical breezes and low-slung bungalows allow…
The Halekulani hotel is a dream destination for its Japanese guests, with just one drawback: it’s in Honolulu. So the owners decided to reproduce its many charms in a paradisal landscape closer to home.
Size isn’t everything – but the scale of a city can determine your trajectory in both business and life. Our fifth Small Cities Index puts the spotlight on 25 places around the world that offer the best of metropolitan…
Fiona Wilson reporting from Okinawa prefecture: With territorial disputes in the East China Sea intensifying, the Japan Coast Guard has had to rapidly evolve to contend with new threats. We drop anchor at Ishigaki Island…
From an exceptionally helpful member of hotel staff to a great view from your room, every little thing counts towards making a pleasant travel experience truly great. We’re sticklers for detail and in this annual survey our…
Conceived of only 21 years ago, already most nations want a “soft power” strategy – a way of winning the world over without resorting to military-industrial might. Monocle has indexed the top 30 soft power nations, which…
