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Magazine — ISSUE 01 · 2026 WINTER · “Beyond the Border”

01 · Opening · SHORT ESSAYBeyond the BorderRead the article → 5 min
ENSEMBLES MAGAZINE · ISSUE 01

Beyond the Border

2026 WINTER · Dec–Feb 2026 · Quarterly · 4 stories available

The world is full of borders. Knowing what lies beyond one is also a way of knowing this side anew.

Opening
01
Beyond the Border
NEWSHORT ESSAY
November 2026
02
Why a Magazine, Why Now
NEWEDITOR'S NOTE
November 2026
03
What Does It Mean to "Live More"?
ESSAY / MANIFESTO
Coming Coming soon
Origins
04
Reunion
Series · Developing · Part 1: Beginning
Coming Coming soon
Nature
05
Human Territory and Bear Territory
FEATURE · LONG-FORM
Coming Coming soon
06
Beyond That Point, No One Will Protect You.
REPORTAGE
Coming February
07
Within Crossing Lines
NEWPHOTO STORY
November 2026
Culture
08
A bar owner's everyday life is shaping the town's future.
ORAL HISTORY
Coming January
09
In Hokkaido, We Say It Like This. #01 Namara
NEWFILM & PODCAST
November 2026
10
In Hokkaido, We Say It Like This. #02 Shikkate
FILM & PODCAST
Coming Coming soon
Culture (cont.)
11
In Hokkaido, We Say It Like This. #03 Kowai
FILM & PODCAST
Coming Coming soon
Places
12
How Does This View Look to You?
PHOTO STORY
Coming February
Living
13
Tokyo or Hokkaido? I Stopped Choosing.
PROFILE / INTERVIEW
Coming Coming soon
14
How Many Years Until You're a Local?
DIALOGUE
Coming February
15
Between Work and Life, There's Someone.
Dialogue — in planning
Coming February
People
16
People Who Crossed Borders #01 Place
INTERVIEW SERIES
Coming January
17
People Who Crossed Borders #02 Work
INTERVIEW SERIES
Coming February
18
People Who Crossed Borders #03 Relationships
INTERVIEW SERIES
Coming February
Food
19
What Overwintered Cabbage Taught Us
LONG-FORM · Farmer interview
Coming February

New stories arrive gradually in December, January and February. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

Pick up

Feature
NEW
OpeningBeyond the BorderThe world is full of lines. Knowing what lies beyond is also a way of knowing this side anew.
NEW
OpeningWhy a Magazine, Why NowNot to tell things faster, but to look a little deeper. A closing note from the editors.
Coming Coming soon
NatureHuman Territory and Bear TerritoryWho really "came out into the village"? Sorting the facts behind the daily headlines.

Series

Series
Coming Coming soon
OriginsReunionAfter a long way around, I was standing on the same hill again. Beyond the fence, the sheep were looking at me.
CultureIn Hokkaido, We Say It Like This. #01 NamaraOne Hokkaido word each time. The first is “namara.” A short film on the climate and life that gave rise to the word.
Coming Coming soon
CultureIn Hokkaido, We Say It Like This. #02 ShikkateOne word each time. A short read on why that word was born in this land, from its climate and life.
Coming Coming soon
CultureIn Hokkaido, We Say It Like This. #03 KowaiOne word each time. A short read on why that word was born in this land, from its climate and life.

Essay & Photo

Essays & photos
NatureWithin Crossing LinesThe shifting boundary, captured by photographer Mayumi Okada

Issues

Quarterly · 4 issues a yearBack numbersBack issues →
ensemblesNo.01
Beyond the BorderBeyond the slopes, the bears' forest, the town's izakaya. A winter of walking up to lines we rarely notice.
2026 WINTERPublished Dec–Feb 2026
2027 SPRINGNo.02
No Name Yet.Culture and tradition had a first day too. Three months of looking at things that don't yet have a name.
2027 SPRINGPlanned for March 2027
2027 SUMMERNo.03
After the Mixing.When different things meet, what mixes and what remains? Three months of looking beyond.
2027 SUMMERPlanned for June 2027
2027 AUTUMNNo.04
A Reason to Visit.Until "a place I've been" becomes "a place I want to visit again."
2027 AUTUMNPlanned for September 2027