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. Here are the Helsinki sights that appear in the movie.
1. Helsinki City Hall
Helsinki City Hall in Kruununhaka overlooks the famous Market Square. The building was originally a hotel designed by Carl Ludvig Engel but was renovated into a city hall in 1913. Nowadays the building is home to the Mayor of Helsinki’s offices and the City Council meeting rooms. In Snow Flower, we see Miyuki and Yusuke ride a tram past the City Hall.
2. Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral in Kruununhaka is one of Helsinki’s most iconic landmarks. It was a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia until Finland became independent in 1917. In Snow Flower, Miyuki and Yusuke pass the building a few times and admire its beautiful architecture.
3. Sofiankatu
Sofiankatu in Kruununhaka is the street that Miyuki and Yusuke are walking down when they finally hold hands. Connecting the Senate Square with the Market Square, Sofiankatu is one of Helsinki’s prettiest streets: it’s home to boutique shops, restaurants, and even a cinema.
4. Market Square
Like lots of people who visit Helsinki, Miyuki and Yusuke spend some time tasting all the delicious foods at Helsinki’s Market Square on the Southern Harbour. The stalls sell traditional foods as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. If you visit, make sure you try some fried vendace (paistettu muikku).
5. GLO Hotel Art
Miyuki and Yusuke stay in GLO Hotel Art in downtown Helsinki during their time in Finland. Located right in the middle of the Design District, GLO Hotel Art has guest rooms, conference space, and the most gorgeous restaurant that serves a dreamy crayfish soup.
Lönnrotinkatu 29
6. Tokoinranta
We also see Miyuki and Yusuke hold hands at Tokoinranta in Kallio, which is a park by the Eläintarhanlahti bay. If you visit Tokoinranta, you’ll see plenty of joggers and people walking their dogs. It’s also home to Italian restaurant Il Gabbiano.
7. Old Church Park "Plague Park"
We see Miyuki and Yusuke sunbathing in the Old Church Park, which is located at the top of the Esplanade. It’s one of the most popular parks in Helsinki, and its church is the second oldest in the city.
8. Kaivopuisto
We also see the couple running along the wooden pier (puinen laituri) in Kaivopuisto in southern Helsinki. The park is super popular among Helsinki locals on May Day (Vappu) and in the summer, when lots of open air concerts take place there.
9. C. Hagelstam Antiquarian Bookstore
During their time in Helsinki, Miyuki and Yusuke visit C. Hagelstam’s Antiquarian Bookstore on Fredrikinkatu. The antiquarian bookshop has been running for 40 years and specialises in old and rare Finnish books. They also have an impressive old maps collection.
Fredrikinkatu 35
10. Tervasaari
Tervasaari is a small island off the coast of Kruununhaka, and it’s where Miyuki and Yusuke finally kiss! The island is home to a rug washing pier, and a swimming beach for dogs.
11. Helsinki Airport (Helsinki-Vantaan lentoasema)
We see Yusuke leave his gate and run out of Helsinki Airport, which is Finland’s biggest airport, when he's on his way to find Miyuki in Levi. The airport was originally built for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, and it now offers flights to over 135 locations in 45 countries all over the world.
12. Helsinki Central Station (Helsingin päärautatieasema)
In Snow Flower we see Yusuke run towards and board a train his train to Levi Helsinki Central Station, which is one of Helsinki’s most beautiful art nouveau buildings. The station was designed by Eliel Saarinen and officially opened in 1919. If you’re passing through, make sure you stick your head into the Burger King, where you’ll see Eero Järnefelt’s gorgeous al fresco painting of Koli, one of Finland’s most famous national parks. You'll also find our tourist information office there.
Snow Flower opens in Japan February 1, 2019. Watch the official trailer here.
