Why You Should Visit Jarasum Island in 2025: Festivals, Nature & More

Walking through Jarasum Island, where music, flowers, wind, and light flow freely.

We’ve compiled the major festival schedule for Jarasum Island in 2025.

Check out monthly events including camping, jazz, flower festivals, and transportation tips at a glance.

Jarasum Island

Located in the middle of North Han River, about 63km from Seoul in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, Jarasum Island is shaped like a turtle (jara) as its name suggests.

It consists of 4 islands (Middle Island, West Island, East Island, and South Island), and is a quiet island about a 10-minute walk from Gapyeong Station.

Jarasum Island, true to its turtle-shaped name, flows with slow and peaceful time.

With the North Han River embracing the island, it boasts diverse ecological environments and spacious grassy fields.

In the past, it was a submerged area during floods, but since the early 2000s, it has been developed as a tourist destination and now stands as one of Korea’s representative music festival venues and natural attractions.

However, a few times a year, this island transforms into something completely different:

• Spring filled with tents on the grassland
• Summer flowing with music and beer
• Autumn where flowers and jazz coexist

In 2025, Jarasum Island becomes a year-round festival hideaway.

Global Outdoor Camping Fair (GOCF)

Now in its third year, GOCF, Korea’s largest outdoor camping exhibition, has established itself as a representative spring event with the slogan “GO! CF in Spring” and is hugely popular among campers.

Korea’s camping culture has grown explosively in recent years.

New trends like “car camping” (sleeping in your car) or “glamping” (luxury camping) are particularly popular, making this event a great opportunity to experience various camping styles firsthand.

■Basic Information

• Date: April 18th~April 20th
• Location: Jarasum Middle Island, Gapyeong County
• Operating Hours: Friday & Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 / Last entry 17:00

Sunday 10:00 to 16:00 / Last entry 14:00

• Price: Based on 1-Day ticket

-Early bird ticket (until March 31st) 5,000 won

-Online sales (until April 17th) 7,000 won

-On-site sales 10,000 won

-Jarasum campsite fees are separate: grass zones, car camping zones, sites, caravans, and crew zones are available. Advance reservations make for a more comfortable experience. Reservation

※Since this is an event where GOCF rents Jarasum Island, camping zone reservations during the event period can be made on the GOCF reservation site.

※Various performances will be presented on the last day (20th), so enjoy the fun until the end!

■Main Programs

• Experiential Exhibition

GOCF displays various camping equipment on outdoor grass fields, providing a special experience to feel the true charm of camping in nature. Through diverse exhibitions, visitors can intuitively check the functionality and style of products.

• Camping Equipment Sales

GOCF operates sales booths for camping enthusiasts to purchase the latest and essential camping equipment. Participating booths launch new products or sell at discounted prices, providing a special space to experience the latest trends and enjoy the preparation process for camping beyond simple purchasing.

• Food Zone

GOCF operates food truck zones where visitors can enjoy various foods and drinks, and also provides separate F&B zones where visitors can comfortably rest, offering an experience to enjoy both relaxation and gastronomy in an outdoor space harmonized with nature.

• Various Entertainment

GOCF provides various experience programs to encourage visitor participation. At the venue, diverse programs are operated including activities like survival games, elephant trains for venue tours, and local specialty experiences.

• Picnic Space

GOCF provides spaces for visitors in April, a great month for travel, beyond just exhibitions. Picnic zones are prepared with individual chairs and tables so that visitors can spend time leisurely in nature.

• Various Events

GOCF conducts various events and special prize drawings. To revitalize the local economy, receipts from purchases made in Gapyeong County or at the venue can be exchanged for prize tickets, and various prizes are provided through daily drawings.

2025 19th KOVEA Camping Festival (KOCAF)

A camping festival brought to you by KOVEA and Jarasum Island.

KOVEA is a representative Korean outdoor brand, specializing in manufacturing camping and hiking equipment.

Though it’s a brand event, it’s an open festival that anyone can participate in.

Make special memories at KOCAF, where camping and culture blend in nature!

■Basic Information

• Date: May 17th~May 18th
• Location: Jarasum Auto Campsite, Gapyeong County
• Operating Hours: Entry time Saturday, May 17th AM 11:00 ~ PM 13:00

Departure time Sunday, May 18th ~ by PM 12:00

• Price: Free admission for anyone on the day besides pre-registered participants

-VIP early bird tickets (March 24th~30th) Special souvenir and premium site

pre-reservation benefits when purchased

-Online sales (April 2nd~9th): General participation ticket reservations

-On-site visitors: Free

※Early bird ticket purchasers will receive a caravan site (tent, table, lantern, etc. provided).

※Festival participation is possible without advance reservation. (Prior reservation required if you want to use the campsite)

■Main Programs

• KOVEA ZONE

You can be the first to see KOVEA’s new products and purchase them at special discounted prices.

• Grill Ocean Exhibition & Hammock Zone

A special Grill Ocean exhibition using KOVEA hot pot pans and a hammock zone where the whole family can rest are prepared.

‘Grill Ocean’ is a special cooking utensil for enjoying Korean-style barbecue, one of the representative items of Korean camping culture.

• Experience Zone

Various experience booths are prepared including <Chopping Firewood Booth> where you can take home pan firewood and <Family Killing Production Booth> using recycling items. ‘Chopping Firewood’ offers an opportunity to experience the traditional method of making fire, an essential element of Korean camping.

• Kids Zone

Children can see Robocar Poli, one of their favorite characters, and a special sales zone that can only be seen at KOCAF is prepared.

• Food Zone

Camping food and various food trucks are prepared.

• Music Festival

Various musicians perform at the highlight celebration concert of KOCAF. Enjoy the festival excitingly until the end.

2025 Colorful Garden Jarasum Flower Festa (Spring / Autumn)

Jarasum Flower Festa is a flower festival held every spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October). In spring, flowers like canola and sunflowers are planted to create a spring flower garden, while in autumn, flowers like cockscomb and pink muhly are planted to create an autumn flower garden. While enjoying the flower gardens, visitors can also enjoy performances, exhibitions, and interactive programs.

■Basic Information

• Date: Spring May 24th~June 15th / Autumn September 13th~October 12th
• Location: Jarasum Island area, Gapyeong County
• Operating Hours: Entry 8:00~18:00 / Exit by 21:00
• Admission Fee: 7,000 won / Free admission for children 5 years and under

■Programs

• Main Program

Flower Garden Healing Course (Friendship Garden, Rainbow Garden, Theme & Species Flower Gardens)

• Supplementary Programs

Busking and band performances, chrysanthemum and wildflower exhibitions (autumn)

• Participation Programs

Flower-related experience programs (making flower crowns, costume rental, etc.)

• Other Programs

Local agricultural specialty sales, food vendor booths

2025 Isul Live Festival

Since 2018, this is the world’s first and only soju music festival where you can enjoy various soju and beer sold by HiteJinro along with music.

Soju is a traditional Korean distilled liquor, typically characterized by a clean and mild taste with 16-20% alcohol content. ‘Isul’ is named after HiteJinro’s representative soju brand ‘Chamisul’, which is the most consumed alcohol in everyday Korean drinking gatherings.

It’s often enjoyed as ‘somaek’ (a drink mixing soju and beer), and this festival also holds a fun event issuing ‘somaek certificates’.

The festival also sells highballs that can only be tasted at the festival, along with various snacks prepared to experience rich flavors.

Besides performances, various programs including instant photo booths and Isul Live exclusive merchandise allow you to experience Korea’s special drinking culture.

■Basic Information

• Date: August 30th
• Location: Jarasum Middle Island, Gapyeong County
• Performance Time: About 510 minutes (including intermission)
• Age Requirement: 19 years and older
• Admission Fee: TBD (To be announced when ticket opening date is confirmed)

■Essential Information

• Only those 19 years and older can enter, and entry is not possible without ID
• Re-entry is possible anytime with the entrance wristband
• Security checks of belongings are conducted before entry, and entry is possible after disposing of prohibited items
• Permitted Items

-Food in reusable containers such as lunchboxes, thermos flasks, sealed containers -Water in PET bottles of 500ml or less (no quantity limit)

-Mats measuring 1m x 1.5m or smaller (based on 2 people per team)

• Prohibited Items

-Shade tents and tents, chairs with legs

-All external food including bottles, cans, glass bottles, delivery food, and all cooking utensils

-All alcoholic beverages prohibited

-All bulky equipment that interferes with event viewing

-Dangerous items such as explosives and narcotics and items that could threaten others

-Remote-controlled flying toys including drones

-Pets (guide dogs for the visually impaired are allowed)

-Items with wheels such as bicycles, carriers, wagons (wheelchairs are allowed)

-Large ice boxes exceeding 20L

※This information is based on the 2024 festival and will be updated when information about the 2025 festival becomes available.

22nd Jarasum Jazz Festival 2025

An annual international jazz festival held on Jarasum Island every autumn, showcasing the history of Korean jazz that began in the 1980s. Advocating for the popularization of jazz, this festival encompasses all genres tied to jazz, from world-class artists to artists never before introduced in Korea, and talented local bands.

Korean autumn is the most stable season in terms of temperature and humidity, characterized by significant day-night temperature differences but clear skies and cool winds.

This festival is recommended for those who want to feel the cool autumn and rich jazz melodies.

Among the best Korean festivals in 2025, Jarasum Jazz Festival offers a unique riverside experience!

■Basic Information

• Date: October 17th~19th
• Location: Jarasum Island, Gapyeong County
• Timetable: To be announced when confirmed
• Admission Fee: 1-day pass, 2-day pass, 3-day pass (Prices to be announced when confirmed)

※There’s also a companion dog reservation with the 1-day pass, which includes a mat when reserved

※On-site purchase available (Prices to be announced when confirmed)

※Camping packages that allow use of Jarasum campsite are also available

■Preparation Tips

• Due to large temperature differences, please prepare blankets or thick outerwear (Day 20-25°C, Night 5-10°C)
• Prepare items to avoid sunlight such as hats and parasols
• Prepare thick mats
• Tissues, wet wipes, portable chargers, etc. will be useful to bring
• Food trucks operate within the festival, but feel free to bring your favorite snacks (reusable containers required)

■Essential Information

• Re-entry is possible with the entrance wristband
• Camping and cooking are prohibited within the concert venue, and sanctions or expulsion without refund will be imposed for camping or cooking outside designated campsite areas
• Entry of wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and quick boards is prohibited (Strollers and wheelchairs excluded)
• All types of tents including shade tents and regular tents are prohibited
• Use and entry of firearms, drugs, and dangerous materials are prohibited
• Expulsion without consultation will occur for items with political, social criticism, racial discrimination, religious, or sexual phrases
• Wireless controllers not pre-approved (drones, RC cars, RC boats, etc.) are prohibited

※This information is based on the 2024 festival and will be updated when information about the 2025 festival becomes available.

Seasonal Attraction Points of Jarasum Island

Season	Points	Temperature
Spring	Quiet waterside walks, camping season	March-May Average temperature 10-20°C
Summer	Collaboration of music, tree shade, wind, and river water	June-August Average temperature 25-30°C
Autumn	Jazz with cosmos, silver grass, and fall foliage at their peak	September-November Average temperature 10-20°C
Winter	No festivals but romance of walking alone in quiet snowy landscapes	December-February Average temperature -5-5°C

How to Get to Jarasum Island, Gapyeong

Jarasum Island is located about 1 hour from Seoul, making it perfect for a day trip.

■ITX Cheongchun Train:

Train	Station	Time
ITX Cheongchun	Yongsan Station→Gapyeong Station	about 60 min
	Cheongnyangni Station→Gapyeong Station	about 50 min
	●Not eligible for subway transfer discounts, and transportation cards cannot be used ●Reserved seating system, so reservations are recommended ●Time check and reservation: Letskorail (English service available)

■Gyeongchun Line Subway :

Subway	Station	Time
Gyeongchun Line Subway	Sangbong Station→Gapyeong Station	about 50~60 min
	●Transportation cards can be used just like the subway ●Schedule check : Seoul Metro

■Bus :

Bus	Station	Time
No.7000	From the bus stop 150m below Exit 5 of Jamsil Station → Get off at Gapyeong Terminal	about 90 min
No.1330-2	From Cheongnyangni Station Transfer Center stop → Get off at Gapyeong Terminal	about 80 min
Intercity Bus	From Dong Seoul Terminal → Get off at Gapyeong Terminal	about 70 min

■How to get from Incheon/Gimpo Airport -Incheon Airport:

Airport	Station	Time
Incheon Airport	Use Airport Railroad → Transfer to ITX Cheongchun at Seoul Station	Total about 2 hours 30 min
Gimpo Airport	Use Airport Railroad → Transfer to ITX Cheongchun at Seoul Station	Total about 1 hour 40 min
Airport limousines	●Airport limousines do not go directly to Gapyeong, so transfer is needed in Seoul

■Using Taxi

From → To	Taxi	Time
From Seoul to Jarasum	approximately 70,000~90,000 won expected	About 1 hour
From Gapyeong Station to Jarasum	approximately 5,000 won	About 5 minutes
App	●English taxi app for foreign tourists: Kakao T (English service provided)

■From Gapyeong Station to Jarasum Island

Type	Time
On foot	About 10 minutes (800m) *Enter the island by crossing the Jarasum Bridge
Taxi	About 3-5 minutes

Editor’s Note: Memories Bigger Than Festivals

Jarasum Island is not just a stage for festivals.

After people leave, the empty grass fields, swaying trees, and river sounds often leave that day’s atmosphere even deeper.

Festivals are brief, but the atmosphere, air, and memories of the moment last long.

In 2025, how about entrusting just one day of your season to Jarasum Island?

Which festival at Jarasum Island would you most like to visit? Please leave a comment!

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