Juho Vesanen
Takashi Nakamura
English
I want to get a feel for Helsinki.
Takashi Nakamura
Tokyo-based artist Takashi Nakamura is one of the three artists who were invited as part of the Helsinki Curious project to illustrate Helsinki based solely on their imagination and on stories they hear.
Nakamura grew up in the countryside and used to draw a lot as a hobby.
“Perhaps I imagined that I could enter the stories depicted in my illustrations,” Nakamura says.
Illustrating eventually became his profession, and he has also won several prizes.
The only things Nakamura knew about Finland before were Moomin, Marimekko, white nights, and that it was a place that seemed a little cold. When he began planning his work of art, he asked various people what they knew about Helsinki.
“No matter who I asked, people all said that Helsinki was a nice place.”
Nakamura’s image of Helsinki was influenced by the movie “Kamome Diner” based on a novel by Yōko Mure about a Japanese woman who runs a diner in Helsinki. The movie was set in the Kamome restaurant in the Punavuori district, and Nakamura is keen to visit the location.
The artist is also interested in the similarities between Japanese and Finnish people.
“After asking various people, I've been told that we have similar personalities.”
Nakamura is visiting in Helsinki in September 2022 and would like to someday draw a picture that depicts Helsinki when he visited it.
During his visit, Nakamura plans to take a leisurely stroll around the city. He has a feeling he will enjoy Helsinki, as he doesn’t like crowds.
“I heard that Helsinki has very few people.”
Strolling around the city also appeals to him because of his interest in history.
“I like the stone walls of Japanese castles, so I'm also interested in the stone walls and stone pavements of Helsinki. I also want to visit Suomenlinna.”
Other places he wants to see in Helsinki include Helsinki Cathedral, Temppeliaukio Church and the Market Square.
“I want to go to the port where there is nothing particular, put myself amid its usual state, and get a bit of a feel of what kind of life people live there.”
Take a look at Takashi's Helsinki Curious artwork.
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A curated list for Takashi, compiled from the tips of our local guides
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From national parks to hideaway bars - let your local guides lead the way
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You mentioned Suomenlinna, which is a dear place for many Finns. One of them is artist, photographer and dancer Melissa Linsa, who discovered her favourite spot on the island by chance. "I love to return there in the summertime just to relax and meditate. I don't even remember the exact coordinates, but it's a small area surrounded by trees and it has a swing facing the sea. It's like a secret garden, and I don't think many people know about it. You can really hear the relaxing sounds of the sea there!" Maybe you'll find the same spot, or another one that becomes your favourite.
Market Square was on your list as well, and we're convinced that you’ll have no problems finding and enjoying it. Right next to the square you can meet Havis Amanda, which is one of the favourites of Maija Tanninen-Mattila, director of the Helsinki Art Museum HAM. "Havis Amanda is one of the few public fountains in Helsinki. Its water is turned off in winter and the opening of the fountain is always synonymous with summer and fun, and is a symbol of Helsinki’s jubilation. It’s not a memorial for an esteemed man with the weight of history bearing down on the visitor; it is rather a place to praise the joys of life. Such a statue is hard to come by."
When heading towards the Helsinki Cathedral, you might want to take a look around the Torikorttelit area. Bruce Oreck, the former US ambassador to Finland, considers the area very finely done. "The Torikorttelit block is an excellent place to see Finnish design in a historical setting by the Helsinki Cathedral. The shops and cafes are small and local with and absence of big international chains." If you end up on Sofiankatu street, look down. "On Sofiankatu, you'll be standing on some masterful paving from the 1930s. There are Helsinki's oldest types of paving stone - cobblestones and boulder rock - side by side", designer Jussi Laine hints.
This is something you didn't want to miss. We agree with you, and so does cultural producer Heidi Backström, who urges you to take a moment while climbing the stairs to the cathedral. "Many demonstrations and processions with a personal importance for me have started here. For me, the steps of the Helsinki Cathedral mean community, activism and the feng shui of the power of change. The crypt of the cathedral is a great place to have coffee and something sweet. The church is also a quintessentially Helsinkian place."
You mentioned pavements, didn't you Takashi? Designer Jussi Laine gave you a hint about Sofiankatu already, and now he'd like to guide you from the Helsinki Cathedral towards the Kaisaniemi Park, along Unioninkatu street. "The street is splendid in its coloration. The red-veined helsingite is complemented by the pastel washes of neoclassical architecture." And when you get to the Kaisaniemi Park, you might want to take a stroll through the botanic garden, which dates back to 1763. There are 2800 species in the outside gardens, and another 800 in the greenhouses.
It's no wonder that the Temppeliaukio Church is on your list. It is also one of the most inspiring places in Helsinki for Italian architect Martino De Rossi, who has lived in the city since 2014. "I used to spend time at Temppeliaukio Church while living in the Töölö neighbourhood. There were a lot of free concerts and I also liked to go there to read. The church has fine architecture designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, and although almost all the surfaces are hard, the acoustics are really good and natural - even better than in newly designed concert halls. Nowadays, acoustics are designed to be too perfect with no echo or soul. Inside Temppeliaukio Church, you experience the violins and pianos one hundred percent - everything is in order."
For anyone interested in history, Helsinki is a great destination. You can find everything from the Toy Museum to the Tram Museum. Author and artist Rosa Liksom recommends visiting Tamminiemi. "Tamminiemi is a rare place. It is a home that has been turned into a museum, which is something extremely fascinating in itself. It still has the interior decoration selected by President Urho Kekkonen (whose presidential term ran from 1956 to 1982). There is art on the wall, Urho's and his wife Sylvi's books, and even some clothes left where they once hung. Kekkonen's sauna is by the water - he was rather famous for hosting sauna evenings."
For observing the everyday life of Helsinkians, Meripuisto park could be a great spot. Ugandan-Finnish designer Lincoln Kayiwa lives close by the park and knows it well. "This is where I go and have a stroll if I need some fresh air after working for hours. Unlike the nearby Kaivopuisto park, Meripuisto is flat and has unobstructed views: on one side you have the sea, and on other side old buildings, green areas with old trees, joggers and dogwalkers."
Kamome restaurant in the Punavuori district is something you mentioned, and we're quite sure you do not need any extra tips for that. What we want to do, is throw you a wild card: a record store. As musician Aleksi Pahkala puts it: "Helsinki still holds on to a fine selection of excellent spots to browse through and stock up on records." His list for music lovers features four stores close to Kamome. Digelius is the oldest of them, and a true gem for anyone interested in sounds. It’s specialised in jazz and ethnic music, but you can also find experimental music, nature sounds and classical music. Maybe you can find yourself a souvenir from here?
The last tip comes from singer-songwriter Mikko Kuustonen, who thinks that the most gratifying thing in Helsinki is aimless wandering. He enjoys going for walks to the quiet city centre on Sundays and early mornings, around half past six. The Old Church Park has become one of his favourite places in recent years. "It is a real oasis that is active in an interesting way at all times of the year. It's a beautiful and complete park that has a strong history." Mikko also mentions something that we hope you can experience while visiting: "I love Helsinki enormously. It is a sympathetic, creative and inspiring environment."