Day 15 - Thursday May 4, 2017 - Helsinki

Time to leave Kyoto and head to Helsinki. We were up and out early and in good time for the 6.07 am subway down to Kyoto Station and the 6.44 am Haruka # 5 to Kansai Airport. As always, the train left on time; not that many people – perhaps 10 or so in our carriage of 40+ seats.

Arrived at Kansai on time, checked in, through security and immigration and off to the lounge. Boarded on time, with boarding completed 15 minutes before departure so we pushed back. No delay in leaving and with a good flight time, we arrived 30 minutes early. Service was typical Finnair – pleasant, no fuss, they just get on with it. Braised pork for lunch and a bento box for afternoon tea.

We landed at 2.25 and managed to make the 2.40 Finnair bus into town, which saved waiting 20 minutes for the next one. After checking into the hotel, we went for a walk down to the harbour, stopping for a beer on the way. The Viking Line ferry to Stockholm (we assume that’s what it was) was at its berth – we’re taking it on Saturday evening. We had a quick tour round the Old Market Hall by the harbour – lots of smoked fish for those that like it. Dinner at Vltava, a Czech beer hall/restaurant close to the station and the hotel that we’ve been to before.

A few photos from the day’s proceedings.