Jeodo Bigfin Reef Squid Festival

1 km from North Korea, I went to a port where the "unification octopus" comes ashore

Daejin Port in Goseong, Gangwon-do is one of the northernmost ports in Korea. The giant octopus caught here is special, and the festival's star giant octopus comes up from the "Jeodo fishing grounds." The Jeodo fishing grounds are a military control zone about 1 km from North Korea, so access is normally restricted, and fishing is only allowed in a limited way from April through December each year. That is why the festival prides itself on its giant octopus, raised in clean waters with less human interference, giving it a chewy texture and a subtle sweetness. The 6th Jeodo Giant Octopus Festival will be held for three days from June 12 to 14, 2026, around Daejin Port in Hyeonnae-myeon, and admission is free. It is exactly the kind of place where the entire port turns into one big octopus feast.

What I liked most was that there was almost none of the awkwardness that often comes with a government-led festival. For this festival, 100% of the participating booths are run by Goseong residents, so local fishermen and the women’s association handled everything from planning to operation. Since the meals were prepared by people who have spent their lives at sea, the food felt refreshingly straightforward and sincere.

A foreign traveler’s day — a course that starts with octopus bread and ends with blanched octopus

Goseong has no train station, so in practice it is a town best reached by car. A rental car is the most convenient option, and if you are using public transportation, the realistic route is to take an express bus from Seoul to Sokcho, then transfer in Sokcho to an intercity or local bus bound for Ganseong or Daejin. Since Daejin Port lies along the road to the Unification Observatory, it is easy to combine the Unification Observatory and Hwajinpo into a one-day itinerary.

If you are visiting on a weekend, planning your parking strategy in advance is essential. Because it is a port with narrow roads, the county enforces special traffic measures: parking is prohibited in the section from the Hyeonnae-myeon Alttul Supermarket intersection to the Daejin 2-ri bus stop, and the section from the Donghae Banchan intersection to the fish market is operated as one-way traffic. So instead of trying to drive right up to the port, it is more comfortable to take the weekend shuttle bus. On Saturday the 13th, you can take the shuttle from both the Hwajinpo Marine Museum and Hyeonjisa; on Sunday the 14th, the shuttle departs from the Hwajinpo Marine Museum. I recommend parking near the museum and entering by shuttle.

Once you arrive, you start by holding a welcome octopus bread in your hand. The main highlight is the "Jeodo gourmet booth," which offers everything from the familiar blanched octopus to variations like "Jeodo octopus shaved ice" and "octopus (polpo) potato salad." The aroma of the blanched octopus was so rich that saying it filled the port was not an exaggeration. There is also a separate octopus food truck, which makes choosing and eating all the more fun. It is hard to expect English menus or an interpretation booth at a festival of this size, so it is a good idea to keep a translation app open. That said, the food itself is intuitive, and the vendors are so generous that gestures and smiles are enough to enjoy the experience.

From octopus OX quizzes to surprise auctions — the stage never rests

If this were only a festival for eating, I would not recommend it like this. On the main stage, interactive events such as an octopus OX quiz, an octopus auction (surprise auction), and a Goseong shouting contest rotate and hand out prizes. Even if you do not know Korean, you can simply raise your hand for the OX quiz, and the octopus auction is fun in its atmosphere alone. Add to that an octopus circus performance, singing contests, opening and closing parties, a flea market, local specialty sales, and hands-on experience booths, and there is never a dull moment as you circle the port. Families in particular will find plenty for children to enjoy.

Here is a useful tip for travelers on a tight budget. There is a receipt event for the local shopping district: if you submit receipts from purchases made in Hyeonnae-myeon between June 5 and 14, you will receive 5,000 won in Goseong Love gift certificates. Whether you spend it at a restaurant or a cafe, just be sure to keep the receipt, or you will miss out.

Before you go, make sure to know this — popular programs sell out fast

The first thing to decide on is the "marine experience." Last time, the program called "Getting close to the Jeodo fishing grounds," which tours the area near the Jeodo fishing grounds by fishing boat, sold out completely within an hour of registration opening. For limited programs like this, it is safest to check the official channels in advance and confirm whether preregistration is required. Be sure to check the Goseong County tourism portal again for the day-of operating hours and detailed schedule.

Payment methods vary by booth, so I recommend carrying some cash. At stalls run directly by fishermen, cash is often faster and more convenient. In June on the east coast, the sun is strong at midday and the sea breeze can feel quite chilly after sunset, so it is a good idea to bring both a hat and a light outer layer. The harbor floor can be slippery, so sneakers are the best choice. Restrooms and resting areas are somewhat limited for an event of this scale, so if you move slightly away from the busiest lunch and dinner peaks, you will have a much more relaxed visit.

In short, this is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the real taste of a fishing village rather than a polished tourist attraction, and for travelers who want to combine a DMZ or Unification Observatory trip with local food in one go. After eating a piece of octopus from Korea’s northernmost sea along with the warm hospitality of the neighborhood, Goseong is likely to stay in your memory for a long time.