The Monocle Book of Japan

by Monocle, Tyler Brule, Andrew Tuck

A celebration of the endlessly fascinating and culturally rich country of Japan, this book from the Monocle team is packed with insights and fully illustrated with stunning photography. Monocle’s latest book is an ardent paean to Japan, covering everything from design, architecture, and culture to food, fashion, and current affairs. Since it launched in 2007, Monocle has had deep roots in Japan. From day one, the magazine has maintained a Tokyo bureau, which today also encompasses a Monocle shop and radio studio. Over the past decade, the magazine and its team have continued to build upon their appreciation for and understanding of the nation of Japan. Monocle’s stories have covered everything from a live journey on the emperor’s jet and the tastiest places to eat in Kagoshima to the fashion designers challenging conventions and the businesses with remarkable stories untold outside Japan. The Monocle Book of Japan  reveals the best of the country in the run-up to the 2021 Olympics. Complete with striking photography and captivating essays, this volume showcases some of Japan’s most intriguing splendors. Illustrated throughout

Genres: Japan, Travel, Nonfiction, Art, Coffee Table Books, Design, Japanese Literature

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 19, 2020

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the only one I’ve found that captures the nuance that makes Japan such a uniquely wonderful place. It’s so good.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book! I love the photos of the people. Just happy to smile at the camera! Lots of interesting things in here. And some lovely little tidbits like Masaki Suda is popular in Karaoke! Who knew? (I am a big Maskai Suda fan!) It has also helped me find a few more tea houses that I would like to visit. I also did not know that when they clean the shinkansen they have a scanner that scans for wet seats. I think that's good to know.

[Supanat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Japan and Japan’s are my all time favorite.

[DaViD´82 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letem japonským světem... Nádherná publikace, u které stěží rozpoznat komu je určena. V podstatě je to "mramor seroucí bedekr bez toho, aby to byl bedekr". Pro někoho, kdo se o Japonsko zajímá, či ho již navštívil, to není. Na to je to příliš od všeho něco, konkrétně však nic. Pro někoho kdo se chystá, by to mohlo být, ale snaží se to být natolik "povšechné a pro všechny ale zcela po svém", že lépe pochodíte u Lonely Planet či Rough Guides. A tak tu je od všeho (jakože opravdu všeho) co se týká Japonska pomyslná špetička; tu čtyři stránky o designu, tu sekce o jídle, tu letmo historie, tu kinematografie na dvou stranách a tady pár stran o dopravě a dochvilnosti.

Čekal jsem "insider" články, docenil bych klidně i bedekr "víte o Japonsku/již jste byli? tak tady jsou tipy pro fajnšmekry", ale dostal jsem... No, jak jsem psal, já vlastně nevím co jsem dostal krom toho, že je to krásná kniha na prohlížení. Nejblíže to má k dětským Larousse encyklopediím. Akorát je to nějakým nedopatřením pro dospělé a nikoli pro děcka.

[Jean Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the Monocle books I read this past year, this was my absolute favorite. It’s a beautiful love letter to Japan, and it definitely made me feel incredibly homesick.

[Harald G · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a ever a beautiful Monocle publication that honors every coffee table and bookshelf by its visual appearance as well as its mouthwatering content. In addition to their monthly periodical does the Monocle brand publish a special edition coffee table book on a particular topic or country and so this one had its eye on the wonderous land of Japan. Beautiful photos, illustrations and worthwhile short articles and interviews lead the reader into this foreign culture and spark the good kind of wanderlust and interest that good travel publications should. I was fortunate enough to have visited this magical country already and felt it justily represented in this book, as to why I can only recommend it to those that have and haven't been there.

[Selene]

I bought this book apprehensively, because I was afraid it would just be full of pretty pictures but offer little information about Japan. I was very happy to be proven wrong! The pictures ARE gorgeous, but there is also a lot of concise and neatly laid out information here. There are categories such as businesses, transportation, sports, food, retail, etc., and a very nice section at the end that's about a few Japanese cities. I actually read this cover to cover, which I almost never do with "coffee table" style books.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely coffee table book that’s beautifully laid out, as one would expect from Monocle. Some of the chapters are what you would expect from a Monocle publication - Design and Architecture, Retail, Hospitality, Culture. But the section on the different forms of transport was a bit of a surprise. It was fascinating though and the photo spread of different Japanese street vehicles was a hit with the kids.

[White Cat reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ideal for anyone who is in love with Japan or for people who would like to learn about Japanese culture. It would be ideal to publish books like this one for other countries as well. The topics were appropriately divided into chapters. Imagery is simple and they resemble those of Fare magazine. The paper is of high quality and overall the design is minimal and suitable for a book about Japan making the book a must-have in the bookshelves of a book collector.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've been to Japan and have enjoyed any of Monocle's Travel Guides, this is going to be right up your alley. Beautiful photos, foiled gold details on the cover, and tons of interesting content within. I want to go back after finishing this.

[Joscha Gewinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typisch Monocle: alles sieht gut aus, aber alles bleibt oberflächlich. Die Bilder auf den Hochglanzseiten sehen häufig etwas verwaschen auf. Entweder liegt das an der Druckqualität oder die Bilder hatten keine hohe Auflösung.

[Artur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would give it five stars if not for the omnipresent coffee shops...

[Avi · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a beginner’s book on Japan, but one of the better ones. Beautiful photography. Some interesting trivia occasionally. Not so much a comprehensive guide as a general inspiration.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself continually sobbing throughout this book.
Beautiful photography and wonderful narrative. It certainly brings this amazing country to life.
Arigato! 🇯🇵🗾

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

No real secrets shown but the book gives a stylish and sophisticated overview on whats on in Japan!

[Vaiva De Chatte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me excited about the upcoming trip. A love letter to Japan.

[Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a coffee-table book, but having lived in Japan for three years I feel that it captures the je ne sais quoi that makes this such a wonderful country.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice, albeit a bit superficial, introduction for Japan first-timers. certainly got inspired by some things for my upcoming trip