The house that Japanese architect Tsutomu Abe built for himself 42 years ago says as much about his thoughtful design process as it does about his humble character. He takes us on a tour and discusses the vital relationship…
Having dreamt of space travel since childhood, Koichi Wakata is a seasoned astronaut and a household name in Japan. Now he is preparing for his biggest trip yet.
A clever redesign for a school in Spain, apartments with a view in Switzerland, the rebirth of rattan in Copenhagen and the craft of tea-caddies in Japan.
Honda’s Super Cub scooter is about to enter a petrol-free future in the form of its successor, the EV-Cub. The original 1958 curves are still there, with the addition of all the requirements of affordable green transport…
In a radical shift from its traditional brand identity, Sugamo Shinkin Bank has adopted an innovative and colourful design for its new Niiza branch. It looks more like an art gallery than a bank, and that seems to be having…
There are several striking elements to the new Marunouchi Park Building in Tokyo, from its soaring office tower to the perfect replica of a 19th-century red brick building. But the most intriguing of all is its garden,…
Kozo Futagi thought he’d spotted a gap in the Japanese market: log cabins as affordable second homes. But he’s had to roll
in a different direction – when people move in, they stay put.
For the novice gardeners among you, ease your way in by starting with a compact window box. From begonia blooms to cascading bacopa, it will be a colourful addition to your doorstep or window ledge.
Japanese whisky giants are world famous but it’s an upstart distillery, Chichibu, that’s winning all the awards and showing how to blend Scottish know-how with local ingredients.
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…
The beginning of autumn is synonymous with a wardrobe refresh. To help you in the endeavour, we have scoured fashion runways and designers’ studios around the world, from Laguna Beach and Tokyo to Milan and Singapore, to…
