Jämsänkoski’s story is shaped by the long use of water power on the Jämsänjoki River and the surviving traces of its industrial history. It also offers art and local history museums, a swimming pool with activities for different seasons, and opportunities for sports and spending time outdoors. During your stay, you can choose your own focus, from industrial history and collections to physical activity.

Industrial History by the Water

The industrial community of Jämsänkoski has a long history of harnessing water power at the narrow rapids section on the upper reaches of the Jämsänjoki River. An acid tower and a sulfur tank from the 1960s have been preserved in the industrial area. At Rekolankoski, above Koskikeskus, there is an old mill and a power plant built in 1922. The contrast in age between the 1922 power plant and the facilities from the 1960s helps put different periods of the town’s history into context.

Art, Local History, and Events

In the main building of Taidetalo Pässinmäki, the foundation displays a permanent exhibition drawn from its collections. The objects on display include the memorial crosses of the Winter War and the Continuation War, along with their award certificates, as well as the Knight’s Cross of Tauno Savolainen, Knight of the Mannerheim Cross No. 24. If you are interested in memorabilia and the history of the wars, this collection offers a tangible point of connection.

The Aarresaari Local History Museum consists of ten buildings where you can learn about local agricultural and industrial history. Its focus differs from that of the permanent exhibition at Taidetalo: here, the emphasis is on the region’s agricultural and industrial history, while Taidetalo showcases the foundation’s collections and the memorial objects on display. A family Christmas celebration has been held on the Aarresaari museum grounds since 1998; a family Midsummer celebration is also held there every year. FinnMetko also takes place in Jämsänkoski, once every two years. If you would like to include one of these events in your trip, check the specific date in advance; the dates of the Midsummer celebrations may vary.

Swimming and Sports

Koskikara swimming pool has a sports pool, a therapy pool, and a children’s pool, as well as a fitness room, sauna, and steam room. In summer, the pool offers swimming at nearby Koskikeskinen; in winter, it offers ice swimming. The activity changes with the season: swimming in summer gives way to ice swimming in winter.

For outdoor sports, the Oinaala Sports Center has athletics and football fields. The Jukka Virtanen sports field is in the center of Jämsänkoski and has a grass field and a grandstand with 500 seats. These two places offer different sports facilities: Oinaala has athletics and football fields, while the sports field is described as having a grass field and a grandstand.

Rapids, Forests, and Seasonal Plans

Rapids and nearby forests invite you to spend time outdoors. Jämsänkoski is also home to the Huhdavuori ski center; its operating conditions depend on the season. If you plan to visit, check the conditions for the relevant season. For disc golf, the first tee and information board for Myllymäki DiscGolfPark are located at the edge of the Jämsänkoski ice rink parking lot. As access information can change, it is worth checking before making specific plans.

Discover more destinations: Vahanka, Rutalahti, Haapamäki, Sumiainen, Petäjävesi, Kannonkoski, Viitasaari, Juokslahti.

For the main travel overview: Central Finland.