Starting from June, one cafe or restaurant somewhere in Japan turns into an “iittala café” for a period of three weeks. This chain of events lasting until next summer will have tableware of Finnish brand iittala displayed, which customers can use freely to take food served in a buffet style.
The main organizer of this event is Scandex, the sole sales agent of iittala products in Japan, who aims to increase visibility and expand sales. Wide range of tableware is available for use such as the classics Teema, Kartio and Aino Aalto, more luxurious series and new products. Food served are Japanese-western fusion menus, including Finnish style dishes. Scandex hopes that by actually using the tableware, the Japanese would “realize” that iittala is not meant only for western food but matches well with Japanese home cuisine.
The first place to become iittala café was “CIBO” in Toyama-shi, Toyama prefecture (June 4 ~ 21). It has now changed the venue to “haluta” cafe in Ueda-shi, Nagano prefecture (July 1~19). For venues in August and onwards, check the iittala café website below. The place would be an ideal spot for “iittala fans” to meet and chat, and also to test out and feel the products before making purchases.
