Life
Kaiseki on wheels
For the fortunate few, luxury train offers glimpses of rural Japan in ultimate comfort
Life
Business trends
Asians dip into Japanese-style hot spring baths
Bathing facilities are popping up in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia
Arts
Making Cantonese Opera Great Again
Hong Kong composer Edward Li bids to revive a moribund art with a little help from The Donald
Tea Leaves
Tailor-made uniformity threatens Thai creativity
Strict social hierarchy leaves growth prospects hanging by a thread
Life
Breathing new life into Asia's colonial buildings
Innovative conservation projects mix cultural spaces and commercial developments
Tea Leaves
Malaysia highlights disconnect in approach to popular culture
Cinema release for 'Banglasia 2.0' challenges Southeast Asian cultural conservatism
Life
Mongolian 'deel' wins over dedicated followers of fashion
Young people see unique identity in modernized traditional garb
Life
Japanese sake goes global, intoxicating many
From sommeliers to master brewers, the drink is winning devotees abroad
Economy
Japan's middle-aged recluses reveal lasting damage of hiring 'ice age'
Startling survey finds 613,000 people aged 40-64 live in isolation
Business trends
Crane games pick up Taiwanese spirits in tough times
Arcade standbys give consumers cheap thrills and investors quick returns
