Discover Jokioinen: Parsonage, gardens and narrow-gauge railway

Jokioinen can be explored through a variety of themes: the Pappilamuseo brings life in a rural parsonage to life, gardens turn the spotlight on Finnish fruit and berry plants and sensory experiences, and a narrow-gauge railway opens up the region’s history. There is also Elonkierto, an animal farm and demonstration park, as well as a waterfront route completed in 2019. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth first considering whether to focus on culture and railways, or on agriculture, gardens and nature experiences.

Parsonage life and wooden church

The Pappilamuseo is housed in a parsonage completed in 1800. Its exhibition shows what life in a rural parsonage was like in the mid-19th century. Memorabilia belonging to Miina Sillanpää are also part of the collection, adding another historical perspective to the picture of parsonage life.

Jokioinen Church is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches in year-round use. Together with the museum, it offers a way to explore different aspects of local history: the museum focuses on life in a parsonage, while the church represents the tradition of a wooden church used throughout the year.

Agriculture, gardens and sensory experiences

Elonkierto is a free, publicly accessible animal farm and demonstration park for agriculture and the study of natural resources. If you would like to explore a particular topic or season in greater depth, you can book guided tours, lectures and workshops in advance through the municipality of Jokioinen.

At Elonkierto, a canoe is available for rent on the riverbank below the smoke sauna. During the rental period, keys, paddles and life jackets are provided at Makasiinikahvila: two adult life jackets and one for children. If you are counting on taking a canoe trip, check availability in advance.

In the Ferrarian rinne park area, visitors can compare varieties, crossbred lines and local forms of Finnish fruit and berry plants. The Aistipuutarha, by contrast, engages several senses: you can take your time tasting, smelling, listening to and observing plants and natural phenomena; different ground materials can be felt underfoot. Edible plants include red, black and white currants, as well as wild strawberries. The plants on display may change over time. Ferrarian rinne thus highlights differences between plant forms, while the Aistipuutarha also engages smell, taste, hearing and touch.

Narrow-gauge railway and waterfront route

The Jokioisten Museorautatie is a 14-kilometre narrow-gauge railway running from the centre of Jokioinen to the centre of Humppila. It is part of the Jokioinen Railway, which opened in 1898 and carried freight and passengers from Forssa to Humppila. The railway operated until 1974; museum railway operations in their current form began in 1978. The end of historical railway operations and the start of the museum railway therefore mark two distinct periods in the railway’s history.

The Kapearaidemuseo in Minkiö includes a station environment preserved in its original condition. Locomotives and carriages are also on display on the railway grounds and in the engine shed. If you are interested in the station surroundings and rolling stock as well as the history of the line, this offers another perspective on the railway.

An approximately 850-metre-long waterfront route was completed at Rantabulevardi in 2019. A landing stage for canoeists, kayakers and recreational anglers was added that same year; fishing spots were also among the waterfront facilities at the time. If you would like to include these facilities in your plans, check the current situation before your visit.

The right holiday apartment for your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Jokioinen, the different themes can serve as a starting point: decide whether you would rather plan your days around railway history and museums, or around gardens, agriculture and sensory experiences.

Discover more destinations: Lankojärvi, Nivankylä, Yli-Valli, Kalajoki, Savilahti, Lavia, Taivalkoski, Pyhäntä

For the broader travel overview: Northern Ostrobothnia.