From ramen shops to sushi stands, there’s no doubt that eating out is big business in Japan. But authentic, local dining is off-limits to many foreigners due to the formidable language barrier that persists outside major cities. Could an app get tourists to pick up the chopsticks?

Is Japan really light-years ahead with technology? Is sex really a taboo? Is sipping on sake still the drink of choice? In our 2015 cultural snapshot of Japan, we debunk cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across 12 sectors.

Attending VIP champagne receptions, accessing exquisite private collections, enjoying the world’s most esteemed art historians as tour guides; the Art Fund's luxury holidays are based around great creative moments in history, but what justifies the price is exclusive access.

Hong Kong is losing its lustre as the place for wealthy Chinese to see and be seen – and to shop. A cocktail of financial and cultural factors are driving mainland Chinese tourists and shoppers farther afield, and luxury brands in Tokyo are starting to feel the benefit.