Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2012

Scandinavian design has recently made its mark in Japan, with a profusion of shops hawking mid-century furniture from Sweden and Denmark. Finnish design is less well known, but a new show aims to correct the imbalance. “Glass Design from Finland” begins with glassware and continues to take in the country’s ceramics and furniture. Typical of Scandinavian design, Finnish products expertly blend esthetic beauty with functionality—in other words the perfect Christmas gift.

Suntory Museum, until Jan 20. ¥1,300. Open 10am-6pm, Fri & Sat 10am-8pm, closed Tue. 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.suntory.com/sma