The Snow Flower guide to Helsinki

<p>Snow Flower tells the story of Miyuki Hirai (Ayami Nakajo), a young Japanese woman who is living with a terminal illness. After she meets aspiring glassmaker Yusuke Watabiki (Hiroomi Tosaka), her lifelong dream of visiting Finland to see the Northern Lights comes true. Snow Flower<em> </em>was filmed between Levi and Helsinki. Here are the Helsinki sights that appear in the movie.</p>

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Helsingin kaupungintalon julkisivu

The Cathedral

Katunäkymä Tuomiokirkolle päin Torikortteleissa

Silakkamarkkinoita vietetään vuosittain Kauppatorilla. 

Hotellihuone GLO Hotel Kluuvissa

Koiranulkoiluttaja Tokoinrannassa

Vanha kirkkopuisto / Ruttopuisto

Kaivopuistossa

Pitkin Fredrikinkatua

Silta Tervasaaressa

Helsinki Airport

Helsinki Central Railway Station

Snow Flower

Sounds of silence in Helsinki

The best public saunas in Helsinki

Quick guide to Finnish sauna etiquette

Buy Finnish design classics in Helsinki

Helsinki’s most stunning libraries

Must see art museums in Helsinki

Experience real nature in the middle of the city

Helsinki's green oases: 9 allotment gardens 

Public sculptures: Picnic spots close to art

Most beautiful churches in Helsinki

Bookstores in Helsinki

Lovely parks in Helsinki

The  Helsinki City Hall was designed by C.L. Engel as a hotel in 1833 and the building has been the City Hall since the 1930s. The Helsinki coat-of-arms can be seen on the tympanum. With the exception of the facade, the building was completely rebuilt in 1967-1970 designed by the architect Aarno Ruusuvuori.

1. Helsinki City Hall

The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki's  Empire era centre and a landmark for those arriving by sea. It has become the symbol of the whole of Helsinki. Earlier called St. Nicholas Church and Great Cathedral, the current main church of the Helsinki Diocese was completed in 1852. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church. 

Exhibitions at the Crypt (Kirkkokatu 18), in summer also a souvenir shop Cathedral Shop.

2. Helsinki Cathedral

Located between the Senate Square and the Market Square in Torikorttelit, Sofia Helsinki is a great place to work, meet new people and enjoy delicious treats in the restaurant. 

Sofia features magnificent co-working premises, café and restaurant services and highly versatile meeting rooms and seminar premises.

3. Sofia Helsinki

Located at the South Harbour at one end of the Esplanade Park, the Market Square is Helsinki's most international and famous market. The booths here sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. There are also heated café tents where you can comfortably have a steaming hot coffee even on the coldest days in winter. The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, one of the oldest ongoing event traditions in Finland, is arranged here every October. It has been held since 1743.

There's a ferry connection to Suomenlinna Fortress island from the Market Square year round, and in summer it is possible to catch eg. a ferry to Korkeasaari Zoo, hop on one of the archipelago sightseeing cruises or take a boat trip to Porvoo.

The Stone of the Empress', in the middle of the Market Square, is the oldest public memorial in Helsinki. It was erected to commemorate the Empress Alexandra's (the German-born wife of Nicholas I), first visit to Helsinki.

On the west side of the Market Square, close to the Esplanade park, stands the Havis Amanda fountain, by Ville Vallgren (1908), one of  the best known statues in Helsinki.

4. Market Square

GLO Hotel Art is a magical hotel that combines a colourful history with elegant modernity. GLO Hotel Art's heart beats for bohemian atmosphere and unforgettable events. This stone castle with thousands of details is one of Helsinki's most beloved art nouveau buildings. 

Built in 1903, the Art Nouveau castle makes your stay in Helsinki unique and memorable. The old meets new in this magnificent hotel which has received additional modern annexe. The over 100 years old castle is surrounded by separate hotel buildings with 171 modern hotel rooms. Comfortable rooms can be found in four different room categories.

GLO Art Lounge Bar is ideal for casual dining and entertainment in the heart of Helsinki's most exciting design blocks. The menu serves international cuisine and pays honor to its origin taste of its fine ingredients. The bar is open until late night.

The Jugend Hall ballroom offers also a fine range of facilities suitable for various meetings and celebrations. 

GLO Hotel Art is located in Helsinki's trendy design district area, surrounded by interesting shops, galleries and restaurants.

5. GLO Hotel Art

The Old Church Park is one of the most popular green areas in the city centre. It is also known as the "Plague Park" (Ruttopuisto), as victims of the plague in 1710 were buried alongside the church. The gravestones in the Old Church Park remind of the history of cemeteries in this part of town. The cemeteries in Kamppi made gradually way for the growing city. Today the Old Church Park is as popular as all the other parks in the city centre. Small scale events are also organized in the park. The Old Church (Vanhakirkko) in the park is the second oldest church in Helsinki.

6. Old Church Park - Ruttopuisto

Helsinki's oldest and best known park is surrounded by embassies and villas. The nearby sea, rock cliffs and green lawns offer many opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. During winter, if the snow situation permits, the park is popular for sledding.

At the highest point of the park is the Ursa Observatory. There are also several cafées and restaurants along the shore and on the islands.

7. Kaivopuisto Park

C. Hagelstam Antiquarian Bookshop is a professional Finnish antiquarian bookshop situated in the centre of Helsinki. The book shop is specialized in old and rare Finnish books, but the wide selection contains also scientific out-of-print publications, good quality art and architecture books and modern first editions. C. Hagelstam bookshop is also one of the few stores in Finland that sells old maps, engravings and early Finnish poster art.

8. C. Hagelstam Antiquarian Bookshop

At Tervasaari island, which is a popular recreation area next to the city centre, you can find eg. restaurant Savu, a kid's playground, a dogpark with a designated swimming beach for dogs, a summer theatre and a rug washing pier.

Tervasaari can be reached by foot from Pohjoisranta.

9. Tervasaari

Originally built for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Helsinki Airport is the largest airport in Finland both in terms of passenger numbers and size. Helsinki Airport offers dozens of restaurants, cafes, shops and other services.

10. Helsinki Airport

Designed by Eliel Saarinen, the Central Railway Station is a national pride and is considered one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world.

11. Helsinki Central railway station

6 reasons to appreciate the darkness 

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Snow Flower tells the story of Miyuki Hirai (Ayami Nakajo), a young Japanese woman who is living with a terminal illness. After she meets aspiring glassmaker Yusuke Watabiki (Hiroomi Tosaka), her lifelong dream of visiting Finland to see the Northern Lights comes true. Snow Flower was filmed between Levi and Helsinki. ...