A passion for Finnish design shapes Takeshi Asami’s home in Koshigaya
Takeshi Asami lives with his family in Koshigaya, a city in Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo.
First, could you introduce yourself?
“I’m Takeshi Asami, 45 years old, born in 1980. My father is from Saitama, Japan, and my mother is from Miyako Island in Okinawa. I have two siblings: an older sister and a younger brother. Today, my family includes my wife and our two children. Their names were inspired by the Aalto family: our daughter is Aino, and our son is Hugo.
I played basketball from elementary through high school, and I think basketball shoes sparked my interest in fashion. I still have a strong attachment to the Nike AJ7s I wore in junior high. As a teenager, I naturally fell in love with vintage American clothing and often visited vintage shops and flea markets.
When I was in high school, I decided I wanted to work in fashion and went on to study at Bunka Fashion College in Shinjuku. While I admired designer clothing, my favorite brand was Worlds End, founded by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood in the early 1980s. The brand has since closed, but my love for labels with a sense of tradition and cultural depth has stayed with me – something that now shapes my interest in interiors and crafts as well.”
The family’s home measures 89 square meters, and has a 4-bedroom layout with a living room, kitchen, and dining area. The Aalto dining table is from Artek.
Takeshi works as a merchandiser at a Japanese fashion and design company as well as incorporating his passion of dealing vintage items as part of his job.
The family’s everyday tableware is a mix of Japanese ceramics and vintage pieces, such as Kaj Franck’s Teema.
The tableware is stored on String Furniture’s String System shelves in oak.
Everyday bowls and cups are within easy reach on the open shelves.
Spotted under the shelf: a pair of rugged Marimekko Matkuri bags.
How did you find this house, and what inspired your décor choices?
“I’ve lived in Tokyo since I was 20, but when our child was born, I started thinking about moving. After considering various places, we chose Koshigaya in Saitama, near my wife’s parents and sisters. It’s close to nature, and although there are some inconveniences, it feels right for us.
My wife and I agreed that our home should be a simple detached house, with the kitchen, living room, and bathroom on the same floor to make life easier with a small child.
We wanted light, easy-to-move furniture that would suit the relaxed atmosphere of the house – like Artek pieces, String System shelves, and Kvadrat curtains. For accents, we added Bamileke stools and colorful, sculptural chairs by Ettore Sottsass.”
“I love Finnish design, and as a result, we have quite a lot of it.”
How would you describe your interior style?
“My home is a mix of old and new, with a few handmade pieces. I don’t follow one specific style. I like connecting different stories, tastes, and textures to create harmony and contrast. That’s probably influenced by my background in fashion. I also love Finnish design, and as a result, we have quite a lot of it.”
The compact living room is furnished with vintage pieces.
A unique decorative plate by Finnish designer Birger Kaipiainen is one of Takeshi’s design treasures.
Alvar Aalto’s Sofa 544 sits in the living room. “I like connecting different stories, tastes, and textures to create harmony and contrast in the home interior,” Takeshi says.
On the wall hangs Aappo Härkönen’s “Satumetsä” ryijy tapestry.
Aalto Cocktail cabinet from Artek 2nd cycle is one of Asami's favorites.
How did your relationship with Finnish design begin?
“My first encounter with Finland was in 2003, when I joined my current company. We already carried many Finnish brands back then: Marimekko, Vuokko, Johanna Gullichsen, Artek. The first Finnish piece I bought was a Marimekko Jokapoika shirt.
As a student, I was into designer clothes and handmade dress shirts, so this simple, flat-patterned shirt felt very fresh to me.
In 2012, my wife and I got married and traveled to the Nordic countries on our honeymoon. Visiting Finland was her idea. Without that trip, I might not have fallen in love with the country as deeply as I have, and my life might have turned out differently.
I was especially drawn to Alvar Aalto’s architecture and have visited most of his major works in Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Jyväskylä, and Pori. Outside Finland, I have fond memories of the Vyborg Library in Russia and the Maison Louis Carré near Paris, France.
Of course, I also admire other modernist buildings and both old and new churches. I try to explore new places every time I visit.”
• Read also: Discover Alvar Aalto’s Jyväskylä >
Besides the Jokapoika shirt, do you have other favorite Finnish pieces?
“There are so many that it’s hard to choose just one. But if I had to, it would be the Artek Cocktail cabinet with legs in my living room. I searched for it for a long time and finally found it at Artek 2nd Cycle in Helsinki in 2015. There are several versions with small differences, but I love this one with its simple keyhole and no door trim.
I was thrilled to see this model revived as a limited edition in 2025 in collaboration with the Moomins.”
The house’s 89 square meters are cleverly divided between two levels.
The bedroom is located on the second floor.
In the bedroom, the small table and stool are rare examples of Alvar Aalto’s work.
Finland and Japan seem to share a special connection, especially in design and lifestyle. Why do you think that is?
“I’m not sure, but I think it’s because people have long inspired each other through design.
Aino Aalto’s cherry blossom textiles and the bamboo furniture of Ubunji Kidokoro – who was influenced by Alvar Aalto – are fascinating examples. After World War II, Kaj Franck visited Japan to teach design, and Fujimo Ishimoto and Katsuji Wakisaka worked for Marimekko. More recently, there are designers like Wataru Kumano and Ville Kokkonen.”
“I’ve visited Finland more than 20 times in the past 12 years.”
What do you enjoy about visiting Finland, especially Helsinki?
“It’s a compact city surrounded by nature, and it’s easy to find solitude quickly.
I always stop by my friend Nakamura’s shop Common Helsinki, the antique store Bisarri, Kulttuurisauna, and the restaurant Kolme Kruunua. It’s my little ritual to revisit familiar places, catch up, and exchange news with friends.
For food, I recommend Restaurant Aoi, recently opened by Olli, a friend of a friend, and Ryosuke’s Onigiri Musubi.
I’ve visited Finland more than 20 times in the past 12 years. I’m thankful to the many friends and acquaintances who’ve shown me Finnish culture and design. Because of them, I never stop discovering new things.”
“My own room is my favorite place in the house. After the family goes to bed, I enjoy reading books on design and crafts, and spending time researching antiques.”
Asami says that while the internet makes it easy to find information, especially about old things, some discoveries can only be made in books – or by meeting people in person.
Takeshi is a passionate collector, and some of his design treasures are kept in storage, waiting to be used.
Among the storage treasures is Gerrit Rietveld’s Red and Blue Chair.
Why do you think Finnish aesthetics and lifestyle are so popular in Japan today?
“While everyone has their own tastes, I think Japanese people admire Finnish simplicity. Over the past 20 years, Finnish fashion and interiors have become very popular here.
In daily life, saunas have become more common, and at my workplace, there’s even a Mölkky club (a Finnish outdoor throwing game) that competes in tournaments.
My Finnish friends, meanwhile, are fascinated by izakayas (Japanese-style casual pubs) and sento (public bathhouses) when they visit Japan, which makes me happy.”
A smile from the window: Takeshi’s home is as welcoming as his passion for design.
Do you have any favorite places in your neighborhood?
“There’s a coffee shop called Kajin nearby. The coffee is excellent, and the calm, relaxed atmosphere makes it one of my favorite places. It really feels like part of the neighborhood.”
See also:
• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >
• More about Helsinki Playground >
Production and direction: Helsinki Playground
Published on 1 Oct, 2025
