There is no such thing as neutral architecture. Every part of a building’s design, from its layout to the texture of its materials and the balance of natural and artificial light, has a profound effect on us. Studies have…
From the freewheeling founder of a Taiwanese scooter company to the president of Japan’s perkiest coffee chain, we’ve tapped some of
the world’s savviest leaders for their insights into doing business better.
Distilling the charms of the traditional Japanese ryokan and elevating the experience with bespoke design were the goals of the hotelier behind The Shinmonzen.
Most restaurants in Japan are in the city but in rural Hokuriku a young crop of restaurateurs and producers are hoping diners will follow them into the wild.
Japan is hoping to ban smoking at restaurants as part of an effort to reduce secondhand-smoke-related deaths; if only restaurateurs would stop fighting the idea. At an emergency meeting last week industry groups represen…
Andrew Tuck reporting from Sapporo: With its drip-filter coffee, myriad craft shops and quality fishing scene, Hokkaido’s capital reels you in with a laidback lifestyle and a strong stroke of creativity.
Look past the dominance of the big chains in Tokyo and you will find a world of fiercely independent coffee shops that are keeping tradition alive – but only just.
First-timers to Ginza will be struck by its crowded pavements, impressive department stores and line-up of glossy luxury labels. But head to the back streets and this area offers a riveting mix of exceptional bars, galle…
Yanaka moves at a different pace from much of Tokyo. Maybe it’s the presence of so many temples; Tennoji, the oldest in the area, was founded in 1274 and sits alongside the famous cemetery where Japan’s last shogun is…