Tokyo
Latest
The sounds of Tokyo have stories to tell – if you learn to listen
The Familymart jingle, train-station melodies and temple bells tell a story of Japan’s past and present.
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.
Despite its enormous scale, Tokyo remains a city where good manners thrive
Depending on how you count it, Tokyo is a city of nine million (the central 23 wards), 14 million (Tokyo Metropolis) or 37 million (the Greater Tokyo Area). A densely populated urban area of…
Seven little luxuries that make life worth the luggage allowance
Today we’re going to play a little word game to set the tone for this fine Sunday (at least here on the Athenian Riviera) and guide us through the days, weeks and months ahead.…
Dress codes for dummies: Can AI save Chad and Britney from their worst wardrobe impulses?
For the record (a very public one), I love AI (artificial intelligence, in case you’ve missed it)! I know this might come as a bit of a shock given that it’s putting journalists out…
Does size matter? These compact Tokyo fashion boutiques don’t think so
Tiny shops in unlikely locations are helping innovative Tokyo retailers to stay ahead. We track down the compact outposts of Hereness and Graphpaper, which show us how it’s done.
Meet the Japanese-Italian collaborators who treat furniture as an ‘expanding landscape of daily life’
The rather attractive partnership between Design Studio S and Flexform connects Italian industrial production and traditional Japanese craftsmanship to make covetable products for the home.
Shopping for heritage inside Tokyo’s legendary Imperial Hotel arcade
From made-to-order shirts and Edo-era antiques to katana swords, the Imperial Hotel’s retail gallery offers an assortment of quality items to remember your stay by.
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.
