Kauhajoki

Kauhajoki is a town in Southern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The parliament was evacuated here during World War II. A notable attraction is the Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park.

During World War II, when the Soviet Union attacked Finland in the Winter War, the Parliament was evacuated and temporarily relocated to Kauhajoki, far away from the front. After the war, Kauhajoki grew rapidly thanks to industry; several factories were established in the town.

The town is known for its agricultural roots, with farming continuing to play an essential role in the local economy.

One of the town's most notable attractions is the Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park, which features peatlands, forests, and wetlands. It can be visited on foot, by bike or on horseback.

Nearest railway stations are Seinäjoki (57 km, 35 mi) and Parkano (89 km, 55 mi). Timetables are available at the VR website.

Long-distance buses from Seinäjoki. Nearest stop of Onnibus is in Jalasjärvi. For timetables of ordinary coaches, see Matkahuolto.

Kauhajoki has a dial-a-ride service.

• Taksipalvelu Rahikka

• 62.42770222.1747221 Eduskuntamuseo, Eduskunnankatu 5, ☏ +358 400-825-223. Museum on the evacuated parliament and related stories.  (updated Nov 2022)
• 62.30634622.5740322 Alpon savanni, Sarantie 672, ☏ +358 50-308-9304, alponsavanni@gmail.com. Sculpture park. Also gallery, café and campfire site. Wheelchair-accessible outhouse toilet.  (updated Nov 2022)
• 62.42558422.1748443 Sanssinkartano, Ullantie 7, ☏ +358 44-351-2633, info@ruokapalvelut.fi. A manor house, which was built by Axel Wilhelm von Schantz in 1863. Today it houses family and business events.  (updated Jun 2024)
• Bookmobile, ☏ +358 400-162-853, tarja.turpeinen@kauhajoki.fi. Mon–Fri, mostly 9:15–18:15. Mobile library, stopping for about half an hour at each stop, with a two-week schedule. Free. 

• 62.15194422.1751 Lauhanvuori National Park (At the border with Isojoki), ☏ +358 20-639-5270, sisasuomi@metsa.fi. High hill with peculiar geology. Free.  

62.17727822.4125832 Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas, Kyrönkankaantie 357, Karvia (The park lies between Kauhajoki and Karvia; parking lots are available by the trailheads.), ☏ +358 20-639-5270, sisasuomi@metsa.fi. 24 hr daily. Free.  

The Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas Nature Reserve covers an area of 57 km² (22 sq mi) and features peatlands, forests, and wetlands. The reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several threatened species. Visitors can explore the reserve on foot, by bike or on horseback.

The park is included in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Kauhaneva is partly a large raised bog, partly an open aapa-like mire, while Pohjankangas is a forested esker. Watch for wood sandpipers, cranes, whooper swans and other birds, especially during the spring migration.

The 2.6-km Kauhalammi trail by Kauhaneva is accessible by assisted wheelchair, although demanding with that setup. The Salomaa campsite at the trailhead is likewise accessible. There are also duckboard variants of this trail (3.5–5 km) and a steep 2-km circular trail through the Katikankanjoni ravine in the north-west of the park.

A museum road with medieval heritage, used by the biking route, leads by Kauhaneva and the Salomaa and Nummikangas campfire sites. There is a lean-to shelter at Katikanluoma by the ravine-esker trail. The water of the well at Nummikangas campfire site is potable; water from other sources should be boiled. There are no restrictions on berry and mushroom picking in the park (common warnings apply). There is a jetty that can be used for swimming in Kauhalammi.

• Nummirock: June (Nummijärvi). Midsummer metal festival. (date needs updating)

• Valkoinen Puu Café & Shop, Topeeka 15, ☏ +358 44 710 9906, kauhajoki@valkoinenpuu.fi. Café and shop selling locally made ceramics, preserves, juices, souvenirs and other local products. 
• Info-kirjakauppa, Topeeka 48, ☏ +358 6 230 2300, kauhajoki@info.fi. Independent bookstore with local history books, stationery and gift items. 
• Oona, Topeeka 25, ☏ +358 6 231 5090. Independent fashion, Finnish design, homeware and gift shop. 
• Hopea-Ferit, Asevelitie 5, ☏ +358 50 536 4005. Jewellery and gift shop offering engraving services. 
• Lankatalo Tapion Kauppa, Oikotie 4, Päntäne, ☏ +358 400 362 416, info@lankatalo.net. Specialist shop with a large selection of knitting yarns and handicraft supplies. 
• Niemelän marjatila, Kokonkyläntie 578, Kainasto, ☏ +358 40 558 1473. Berry farm selling local berries and farm products. A small self-service shop is also located at Lellavantie 4. 
• Kukkasmäen Marjatila, Kaurankuja 93, Aronkylä, ☏ +358 40 514 5655. Family-run berry farm selling Finnish berries and berry products directly to customers. 

• Kauhajoen Krouvi, Topeeka 30, ☏ +358 6 2311 644, varaukset@krouvi.fi. Hotel restaurant serving lunch, pizzas, burgers, steaks and Finnish dishes. 
• Valkoinen Puu Café & Shop, Topeeka 15, ☏ +358 44 710 9906, kauhajoki@valkoinenpuu.fi. Café in a historic building, known for cakes, pastries and lunch dishes. 
• Ojalan Pakari, Topeeka 42, ☏ +358 40 482 4710, info@ojalanpakari.fi. Traditional bakery café serving pastries, coffee and savoury snacks. 
• Katjan Vohvelikahvila, Puistotie 40–42, ☏ +358 45 649 9262, Katinka.79@hotmail.com. Café specialising in sweet and savoury waffles. 
• Hotelli-Ravintola Aronkeidas, Seinäjoentie 112, Aronkylä, ☏ +358 44 505 0480, info@aronkeidas.fi. Hotel restaurant and dance venue hosting live music and events. 
• Restaurant Gastro, Topeeka 25, ☏ +358 45 257 1560, restaurant@restaurantgastro.fi. Restaurant serving lunch in the town centre. 
• Ravintola Kiina (JJ Hua Ay), Topeeka 21, ☏ +358 44 280 3852. Chinese restaurant serving lunch and takeaway meals. 

• Kauhajoen Krouvi, Topeeka 30, ☏ +358 6 2311 644, varaukset@krouvi.fi. Hotel restaurant, pub and nightclub in the town centre. Check current opening hours for evening entertainment. 
• Wanha Mestari, Sanssikuja 1, ☏ +358 40 485 7740, kauhajoki.wanhamestari@restel.fi. Pub serving drinks and pub food, with billiards, darts, board games and karaoke. 
• Janoinen Leipuri, Topeeka 42, ☏ +358 40 482 4702, info@janoinenleipuri.fi. Pub serving drinks and evening snacks in the Ojalan Pakari building. 

• Kauhajoen Krouvi, Topeeka 30, 61800 Kauhajoki, ☏ +358 6 2311 644, varaukset@krouvi.fi. Central hotel with 34 rooms, private saunas and a restaurant. 
• Helmin kortteeri, Near the bus station, Kauhajoki, ☏ +358 6 231 1010, helminkortteeri@gmail.com. Bed and breakfast accommodation with individually furnished rooms. 
• Hostel Eduskunta, Puistotie 36, 61800 Kauhajoki, ☏ +358 50 330 6320, sales@ukmajoitus.fi. Four-bedroom accommodation for up to seven guests, with a kitchen and sauna. The entire property is rented to one group. 
• Salaisen puutarhan majatalo (Secret Garden Guesthouse), Äijälänkuja 2, 61800 Kauhajoki, ☏ +358 44 235 9420, majatalo@valkoinenpuu.fi. Guesthouse in a historic former vicarage, with individually furnished rooms and a garden. 
• Nummijärvi Camping, Nummijärventie 591, 61910 Kauhajoki, ☏ +358 400 987 373, nummibaari@gmail.com. Camping by the lake, with pitches, cabins and a beach. Accommodation is available year-round; arrange arrivals outside staffed hours in advance. 
• Hotelli-Ravintola Aronkeidas, Seinäjoentie 112, 61850 Kauhajoki, ☏ +358 44 505 0480, info@aronkeidas.fi. Hotel and restaurant in Aronkylä, near the junction of highways 44 and 67. Contact the property to confirm accommodation availability. 

• 62.42283522.1739961 Kauhajoki library (Kauhajoen kirjasto), Prännärintie 2 C (By the municipal office), ☏ +358 40 674 8152, kirjasto@kauhajoki.fi. Library services, public computers and Wi-Fi. Free.