Nordic Design アーカイブ - Photomo Walking, shooting, and writing through the cities of the world.

Finnair Lounge Helsinki Airport Review: A Candid Look at the Food, Shower, and Crowds

2025年9月22日 by CityNomix

A minimalist, light gray wall featuring the words 'FINNAIR LOUNGE' in an embossed, three-dimensional style.

Finding Nordic Serenity Beyond the Bustle: A Review of the Finnair Lounge Helsinki The end of a journey is always tinged with a bit of melancholy. The memories of walking through Helsinki, absorbing its design, and glimpsing the tranquil daily lives of its people are still vivid. Carrying this resonance, I arrived at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Continue reading “Finnair Lounge Helsinki Airport Review: A Candid Look at the Food, Shower, and Crowds”

Oodi Helsinki: More Than a Library, It’s the City’s Living Room

2025年9月14日 by CityNomix

A low-angle shot looking up at the dynamic wooden facade of the Helsinki Central Library Oodi under a clear blue sky. The massive, wave-like canopy covers a glass-walled ground floor, and people are visible in the plaza in the foreground.

An Introduction to Oodi Helsinki: A City of Heatwaves and Vinyl Memories The city of Helsinki was enveloped in an unprecedented wave of heat. It was July 2025, and instead of the cool Nordic summer I had anticipated, I was greeted by shimmering asphalt under a record-breaking heatwave. Everyone on the streets moved swiftly from Continue reading “Oodi Helsinki: More Than a Library, It’s the City’s Living Room”

My Helsinki Secondhand Oy Review: A Treasure Hunt for Vintage Arabia & Rare European Vinyl

2025年9月12日 by CityNomix

The entrance to a second-hand shop in Helsinki, with plants, antique goods, and clothing displayed around the automatic glass doors.

A Helsinki Secondhand Oy Review: A Subterranean Vault Where Design Meets Music Helsinki, the capital of Finland, offers a diverse tapestry of experiences for any traveler. For instance, there’s the profound ritual of a Finnish sauna to cleanse both body and soul. Alternatively, one can enjoy a quiet moment in a historic café. Of course, Continue reading “My Helsinki Secondhand Oy Review: A Treasure Hunt for Vintage Arabia & Rare European Vinyl”

A Treasure Hunt Through Time at Helsinki’s Iittala & Arabia Design Centre

2025年9月9日 by CityNomix

A view of a copper-colored wall with shelves installed all over it, on which various designs of cups and saucers are neatly arranged.

The Highlight of My Helsinki Journey: The Iittala & Arabia Design Centre Underneath a clear Helsinki sky, the morning air was crisp. I was still basking in the afterglow of yesterday’s inspiring visit to the Marimekko headquarters and its delightful Maritori canteen. Today, however, a new design pilgrimage awaited. I boarded a tram, my destination Continue reading “A Treasure Hunt Through Time at Helsinki’s Iittala & Arabia Design Centre”

Cafe Aalto Tokyo Review: An Honest Take from a Helsinki Veteran

2025年9月3日 by CityNomix

The interior of CAFE AALTO. The golden letters of 'CAFE AALTO' are on a white beam near the ceiling, and below it, a large window shows a view of a lush green park and city buildings.

A Taste of Helsinki in Tokyo: My Honest Cafe Aalto Tokyo Review It was a typical weekday lunch break. As I opened my browser to kill some time, my eyes caught a familiar, nostalgic name in the discovery feed: ‘CAFE AALTO’. My scrolling thumb froze. The headline announced the shocking news—the legendary Helsinki café was Continue reading “Cafe Aalto Tokyo Review: An Honest Take from a Helsinki Veteran”

An Unforgettable Taste of Helsinki: My Experience with the Cafe Aalto Bilberry Tart

2025年9月2日 by CityNomix

The spacious interior of Cafe Aalto, located inside the Academic Bookstore. The cafe's name is displayed in golden letters on a marble wall, and numerous brass pendant lights hang from the ceiling. Black chairs and tables are arranged, with a few customers relaxing.

Savoring the Unforgettable Cafe Aalto Bilberry Tart, Embraced by Light and Literature Leaving the bustle of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport behind, I glided into the city center in an Uber. After checking into the St. George Hotel, my base for this journey, I noticed the light outside was still as bright as midday. The clock read 6:30 Continue reading “An Unforgettable Taste of Helsinki: My Experience with the Cafe Aalto Bilberry Tart”

Hotel St. George Helsinki Review: A Deep Dive into a Scandinavian Design Masterpiece

2025年8月21日 by CityNomix

The sunlit, cream-yellow facade of the historic Hotel St. George in Helsinki, showing the main entrance under a modern golden canopy.

An Unexpected Detour to an Unforgettable Stay at Hotel St. George Helsinki Travel, in its purest form, often reveals its most memorable scenes when plans go awry. My recent stay in Helsinki, as CityNomix, was born from such a delightful deviation. As I mentioned in my previous article, ‘The Definitive Guide to Helsinki Hotels with Continue reading “Hotel St. George Helsinki Review: A Deep Dive into a Scandinavian Design Masterpiece”

My Stay at the Best Helsinki Hotel with an In-Room Sauna: A Lapland Hotels Bulevardi Review

2025年8月21日 by CityNomix

The interior of a modern home sauna made of light-colored wood. It features a two-tiered bench, a sauna stove, and a bucket and ladle for löyly.

The Quest for the Perfect Helsinki Stay: Why an In-Room Sauna Was Non-Negotiable When my trip to Helsinki was confirmed, my mind was set on one thing. I needed to experience the very soul of the city: its sauna culture. However, simply visiting a public sauna wasn’t enough. As CityNomix, a digital marketer who thrives Continue reading “My Stay at the Best Helsinki Hotel with an In-Room Sauna: A Lapland Hotels Bulevardi Review”

Shock in Omotesando! Iittala & Moomin Arabia Store Closing July 2025 – A Final Look

2025年5月28日 by CityNomix

Iittala Ultima Thule limited edition color sake glass for Tapio Wirkkala's 110th anniversary

Omotesando. This Tokyo district, a sophisticated hub of cutting-edge boutiques and trendsetting style, has always been a source of inspiration for me. After a client meeting on a Tuesday evening, my feet carried me purposefully towards one specific destination: the IITTALA & MOOMIN ARABIA Omotesando store. Finland holds a special place in my heart ever Continue reading “Shock in Omotesando! Iittala & Moomin Arabia Store Closing July 2025 – A Final Look”

IKEA Tokyo-Bay Funabashi: Discovering Cute Vases, Stylish Lamps & a Delicious Swedish Cafe Lunch!

2025年5月18日2025年5月15日 by CityNomix

Meatballs at the IKEA Funabashi Swedish Cafe

A Weekday Escape to IKEA Funabashi for Spring Inspiration and Swedish Delights Hi everyone, this is CityNomix from Photomo! My usual gig is in digital marketing, but my passion lies in exploring cities both in Japan and abroad, uncovering local culture and design from a unique perspective. Photomo, our culture journal, is all about “Walk, Continue reading “IKEA Tokyo-Bay Funabashi: Discovering Cute Vases, Stylish Lamps & a Delicious Swedish Cafe Lunch!”