How to spend a day in Helsinki with an Asian twist? Here are tips from Jenni Peisa, Managing Director of Helsinki Cine Aasia, an expert of bringing some Asian flavours into Nordic surroundings. Enjoy!

1. Kulttuurisauna

“Architect and designer couple Japanese Nene Tsuboi and Finnish Tuomas Toivonen designed Kulttuurisauna to bring traditional sauna a part of urban city culture in Helsinki. It is an interesting collaboration between two cultures and a beautiful outcome of how Finnish culture is seen by a Japanese designer.”

Go and experience Finnish sauna with a Japanese twist at Kulttuurisauna, Hakaniemenranta 17

2. Restaurant Farang

“Farang in the city centre offers a delicious mix of cuisines from East and Southeast Asia.”

How about a Hamachi Sashimi `larb´? Let your taste buds enjoy the fusion of flavors at Restaurant Farang, Ainonkatu 3

3.  Kahvila Suomi (Finland Cafe)

“Kahvila Suomi (Finland Cafe) was a venue for the film Ruokala Lokki  (jap. かもめ食堂, Kamome shokudō), a Japanese-Finnish co-production directed by Naoko Ogigami. The downtown located cafe has a poster remaining from the film in the window and it has become a popular tourist attraction for Japanese tourists.”

Sit at the same table where Hairi Katagiri, Satomi Kobayashi, and Masako Motai did at Kahvila Suomi, Pursimiehenkatu 12

EARS – Europe-Asia Roundtable Sessions is a platform focusing on creative industry collaboration between Europe and Asia. The next EARS event will be held in Helsinki, August 27-30, showcasing the latest developments from Asia in the fields of design, music, performing arts, literature, marketing and media. 

Photos:

Kulttuurisauna – Marko Ahtisaari // Flickr Creative Commons CC BY 2.0
Farang – Sami Paju //Flickr Creative Commons CC BY 2.0
Kahvila Suomi – Inka Pohjonen // EARS