チョド 大王だこ祭り

北朝鮮から1kmの距離、「統一タコ」が上がってくる港へ出かけました

Gangwon-do, Goseong, Daejin Port is one of the northernmost ports in Korea. The large octopus caught here is a little special, and the festival’s star ingredient, the big octopus, comes up from the 'Jeodo fishing ground'. The Jeodo fishing ground is a military control zone about 1km from North Korea, so access is normally restricted, and fishing is only partially allowed from April through December each year. That’s why the festival prides itself on its chewy, mildly sweet big octopus, raised in pristine waters with less human interference. The 6th Jeodo Big Octopus Festival will be held over three days from June 12 to 14, 2026, throughout the Daejin Port area in Hyeonnae-myeon, and admission is free. If you picture the whole port turning into a giant octopus feast, that’s exactly right.

What I liked most was that there was almost none of the awkwardness that often comes with a festival led by the authorities. This year, 100% of the participating booths were operated by Goseong County residents, and from planning to operation, local fishermen and the women’s association handled everything directly. Since the meals were prepared by people who have lived their whole lives by the sea, the food felt simple and unfussy.

Foreign traveler’s day — a course that starts with octopus bread and ends with boiled octopus

Goseong has no train station, so it is basically a place you visit by car. A rental car is the most convenient option; if using public transportation, the realistic route is to take an express bus from Seoul to Sokcho, then transfer in Sokcho to an intercity or city bus bound for Ganseong or Daejin. Since Daejin Port lies on the way to the Unification Observatory, combining the Unification Observatory and Hwajinpo into a one-day course makes the route neat and efficient.

If you are visiting on the weekend, planning your parking strategy in advance is essential. Because it is a port and the roads are narrow, the county implements special traffic measures. The stretch from the 'Hyeonnae-myeon Alttul Supermarket intersection' to the 'Daejin 2-ri bus stop' is no-parking, and the section from the 'Donghae Chinese Restaurant intersection' to the 'fish market' is operated as one-way traffic. So rather than driving right up to the port entrance, it may be easier on your nerves to take the shuttle bus running on weekends. On Saturday, June 13, shuttles are available from both Hwajinpo Marine Museum and Hyeonjisa Temple; on Sunday, June 14, you can take a shuttle from Hwajinpo Marine Museum. I recommend parking near the museum and entering by shuttle.

Once you enter, you start by holding a welcome octopus bread in your hand. The main attraction is the 'Jeodo gourmet booth', which offers everything from the familiar boiled octopus to creative dishes like 'Jeodo octopus ice bingsu' and 'octopus (pulpo) potato salad'. Saying that the savory smell of boiled octopus fills the port is not an exaggeration. There is also a separate octopus food truck, so choosing and trying different dishes is part of the fun. It’s a modest-scale event where you shouldn’t expect English menus or interpretation booths, so it’s best to keep a translation app open. Still, the food itself is intuitive, and the booths are generous, so you can enjoy yourself plenty with gestures and smiles alone.

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

If this were only a festival for eating, I wouldn’t recommend it this strongly. On the main stage, participatory events such as the octopus OX quiz, octopus auction (surprise auction), and Goseong shouting contest take turns handing out prizes. Even if you don’t know Korean, you can join the OX quiz by simply raising your hand, and the octopus auction is enjoyable just for its atmosphere. Add to that an octopus circus performance, singing contest, opening and closing parties, flea market, local specialty sales, and experience booths, and there’s never a dull moment as you circle the port. Families, especially children, will find plenty to enjoy.

I also have a useful tip for travelers on a budget. A receipt event is held for the local shopping district, and if you submit receipts from purchases made in Hyeonnae-myeon between June 5 and 14, you can get 5,000 won in Goseong Love Gift Certificates back. Whether you buy from a restaurant or a café, just keep your receipt — otherwise you’ll miss out.

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

The first thing you need to decide on is the 'sea experience'. In the previous round, the program 'Going near the Jeodo fishing ground', which tours the waters near the Jeodo fishing ground—an area where access is normally restricted—on a fishing boat, was fully booked within just one hour of registration opening. For these limited programs, it is safest to check the official channels in advance and confirm whether advance registration is required. Also check the Goseong County tourism portal once more for the day’s operating hours and detailed schedule.

Payment methods differ by booth, so I recommend bringing some cash. Stalls run directly by fishermen often find cash faster and more convenient. In June on Korea’s east coast, the sun is strong during the day and the sea breeze becomes quite chilly after sunset, so it helps to bring both a hat and a light outer layer. The harbor floor can be slippery, so sneakers are the right choice. Restrooms and relaxation spaces are somewhat limited for a port-scale event, so if you move slightly away from the busy lunch and dinner peak times, you’ll have a much more relaxed experience.

In short, this is perfect for travelers who want to experience the genuine flavor of a fishing village instead of a touristy package, and for those who want to combine a DMZ/Unification Observatory trip with gourmet food in one go. After enjoying a piece of octopus from Korea’s northernmost sea along with the warmth of local hospitality, Goseong is sure to remain in your memory for a long time.