At a glance
| Dates | Expected Oct 2027Late October 2027 is likely: all three editions have been held on a weekend in the second half of October (26–27 Oct 2024, 25–26 Oct 2025, 23–25 Oct 2026), and the festival is in the ministry's preliminary cultural tourism festival scheme. No 2027 dates had been announced as of 18 October 2026. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Late October 2027 is likely: all three editions have been held on a weekend in the second half of October (26–27 Oct 2024, 25–26 Oct 2025, 23–25 Oct 2026), and the festival is in the ministry's preliminary cultural tourism festival scheme. No 2027 dates had been announced as of 18 October 2026. |
| Admission | Free. You pay for gimbap and other food at the booths; 2026 prices had not been published as of 18 October 2026.Entry: Free (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and Eco-friendly Ecological Park (Jikjisa temple area)경상북도 김천시 대항면 직지사길 118 |
| Nearest station | Gimcheon Station (김천역), Korail Gyeongbu Line (ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum, Mugunghwa)Not walkable: the venue is about 12 km west; the station is one of the three 2026 festival shuttle boarding points |
| From Seoul | about 2 h · KTX + BusLeave from Seoul Station · One-way fare from ₩31,900 · Back to Seoul the same nightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Gimcheon City김천시 |
| Usual timing | A weekend in the second half of October, in the parks at the entrance to Jikjisa temple: 26–27 Oct 2024 and 25–26 Oct 2025 (Saturday–Sunday), then 23–25 Oct 2026 (Friday–Sunday), the first three-day edition. First held in 2024. Browse October festivals. |
| First held | 2024 |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026Checked against 40 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Gimcheon, a city of about 135,000 people in western Gyeongsangbuk-do, started this festival in 2024 on the strength of a joke. Asked what the city's name brought to mind, young people kept answering Gimbap Cheonguk ('Gimbap Heaven'), a nationwide chain of gimbap restaurants, so the city set out to build a real gimbap heaven. It gave the festival a mascot, Kkodal-i, modelled on the end piece of a gimbap roll, and held it in the parks at the gate of Jikjisa, a temple founded in 418 at the foot of Hwangaksan, about 12 km west of Gimcheon Station.
The first edition, on 26–27 October 2024, expected 10,000–20,000 visitors and drew about 100,000. With only seven or eight gimbap vendors, the rolls ran out within two to three hours and the city ended sales early on both afternoons, which earned it the nickname 'a gimbap festival without gimbap'. In 2025 the city went from 8 to 32 gimbap vendors, prepared more than 100,000 rolls, ran 40–50 shuttle buses and made the site and parking about five times larger. About 150,000 people came over two days, more than the city's population, and popular booths still sold out, some before noon on the first day. The city promotes a 'three no's' policy (no opening ceremony, no VIP protocol, no price gouging), and food is served on puffed-rice plates instead of disposables.
The 2026 edition, the third, runs 23–25 October, a day longer than before, across Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and a newly added Eco-friendly Ecological Park. Expect more than 60 kinds of gimbap from a factory line, local premium rolls, novelty rolls from around the country and the winners of the Gimbap Cook King contest, this year a spicy stir-fried pepper roll made with Gimcheon rice and Jirye black pork. Around the food are gimbap art, a gimbap playground and train, a Kkodal-i goods shop, hanbok try-ons and stage shows. You order by scanning a QR code with Kakao Pay, and staffed kiosks serve anyone who prefers not to.
The honest caveats: this is a very crowded event a long way from the railway stations. In 2025 visitors reported waiting up to three hours for gimbap and one to two hours for a shuttle bus, and the roads to the site jammed. For 2026 the city has about 60 shuttle buses running non-stop from both railway stations and the Gimcheon Sports Town car park, plus direct Kakao T coaches from Seoul and four other cities. Go early, and on Friday if you can.
Highlights
- More than 60 kinds of gimbap in 2026, from a factory line and premium local rolls to novelty rolls from all over Korea, gimbap bread and triangle gimbap bread
- The Gimbap Cook King gold-prize roll, a spicy stir-fried pepper gimbap with Gimcheon rice and Jirye black pork, chosen from 144 entries and served for the first time at the festival
- QR-code ordering and payment with Kakao Pay, plus staffed kiosk booths, introduced for 2026 after the long queues of 2024 and 2025
- Kkodal-i, the mascot modelled on the end piece of a gimbap roll, with a goods shop of more than 29 new items, gimbap art, a gimbap playground and a gimbap train
- Set in Jikji Culture Park and Samyeongdaesa Park at the gate of Jikjisa, a temple founded in 418 and known for its autumn foliage
- A 'three no's' policy (no opening ceremony, no VIP protocol, no price gouging) and puffed-rice plates instead of disposable dishes
Who it suits. Best for food-loving travelers, families with children and anyone who enjoys a lively, good-humoured Korean crowd event; it pairs well with a visit to Jikjisa temple next door. Less suited to people who dislike queues or crowds or need a tight schedule: waits of an hour or more for food and shuttle buses were common in 2025.
Getting there
From Seoul
KTX from Seoul Station to Gimcheon(Gumi) Station takes about 1 h 30 m (fastest 1 h 22 m; ₩31,900 standard class; 22–25 trains a day). Slower trains run from Seoul Station to Gimcheon Station in town: ITX-Saemaeul and ITX-Maeum in 2 h 35 m–3 h 07 m (₩24,500) and Mugunghwa in 2 h 56 m–3 h 29 m (₩16,400), 20–21 trains a day. The festival is in the Jikjisa temple area, about 12 km west of Gimcheon Station, so finish by festival shuttle bus from either station; a 2025 itinerary allowed about 30 minutes from the KTX station. Kakao T Shuttle coaches also run direct from Seoul Station, Jamsil and Sadang (book in the Kakao T app).
From Busan
ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum and Mugunghwa trains run from Busan Station to Gimcheon Station: 2 h 00 m–2 h 17 m by ITX (₩18,100) or 2 h 21 m–2 h 40 m by Mugunghwa (₩12,200), 21–22 trains a day; then take the festival shuttle. A Kakao T Shuttle direct coach also runs from Seomyeon Station (book in the Kakao T app; fare not published). KTX times to Gimcheon(Gumi) were not checked for this record.
Last leg from Gimcheon Station
Korail Gyeongbu Line (ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum, Mugunghwa). Not walkable: the venue is about 12 km west; the station is one of the three 2026 festival shuttle boarding points
Festival shuttle
2026 (Gimcheon City's plan, as reported on 5 and 23 October 2026): about 60 shuttle buses run non-stop to Jikji No. 2 public car park at the venue from Gimcheon Sports Town car park (40 buses), Gimcheon(Gumi) Station (KTX, 14) and Gimcheon Station (6), about every 20 minutes depending on traffic: from 10:00 on Friday 23 October and from 08:00 on 24–25 October, until 19:00, with breaks 12:00–13:00 and 16:00–17:00. The fare was not stated (in 2025 the station shuttles were free). Sopung Taxi, a tourist taxi booked in its app or by phone, links the same points with the venue: ₩8,000 one way from either station, ₩5,000 from Sports Town, up to 4 riders. Kakao T Shuttle coaches run direct from Seoul (Seoul Station, Jamsil, Sadang), Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju and Busan: book in the Kakao T app (Shuttle menu). In 2025 visitors waited 1–2 hours for shuttles.
Getting home
The festival closes at 18:00, and the festival shuttles run until 19:00 with a break 16:00–17:00 (Gimcheon City's 2026 plan). KTX trains run from Gimcheon(Gumi) Station to Seoul Station and Suseo into the evening, and ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum and Mugunghwa trains from Gimcheon Station to Seoul Station, but the last-train times for 24–25 October 2026 were not checked against Korail's timetable: check the last train in the Korail+ app (코레일+, where KTX and former SRT trains are now booked) or at the station before you go, and book the return in advance. Leave plenty of time for the shuttle queue and the drive to the station.
Parking
In 2025 there were more than 6,600 parking spaces, but the roads to the site jammed and shuttle buses were caught in the traffic. No 2026 parking notice was found; the Gimcheon Sports Town car park is a shuttle boarding point. The train and shuttle are the safer choice.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Free | |
| Gimbap | — | 2026 prices not published; vendors were selected partly on fair pricing, and 2025 vendors were praised for low prices |
| Festival shuttle bus from Gimcheon(Gumi) Station, Gimcheon Station or Gimcheon Sports Town | — | Fare not stated for 2026; in 2025 the shuttles from both railway stations were free |
| Sopung Taxi from the shuttle boarding points to the venue | — | ₩5,000–8,000; whether per person or per car was not stated |
| Kakao T Shuttle direct coach (Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, Busan) | — | Fares not published in the articles read; each rider gets two Kkodal-i goods and one gimbap roll |
- Booking
- No booking for entry. In 2026 you order and pay for gimbap by scanning a QR code with Kakao Pay, or at staffed kiosk booths. Kakao T Shuttle seats are booked in the Kakao T app. Organizer: Gimcheon City Tourism Policy Division, 054-420-6714; official site gimbapcity.kr (not opened for this record).
- English on site
- For 2026 the city runs five information centres and a desk for foreign visitors staffed by interpreters, plus a festival Kakao Map that shows booths and stage times when you scan QR codes on site. KTO has English, Japanese and Chinese listings.
- Crowds
- Very crowded: about 100,000 visitors in 2024 and about 150,000 over two days in 2025 (more than 80,000 on the first day), more than the city's own population. Popular gimbap sold out early both years, and in 2025 visitors reported waits of up to 3 hours for gimbap and 1–2 hours for shuttles. 2026 adds a third day, QR ordering and more buses.
- Best time to go
- Friday 23 October, the day added in 2026 (opens 10:00), or right at the 09:00 opening at the weekend: in 2024 gimbap ran out by early afternoon, and in 2025 some booths sold out before noon.
- What to bring
- A charged phone for QR ordering and the festival map, water and a picnic mat (the festival is themed as an autumn picnic), a warm layer for late October, and patience for the shuttle queues.
- Toilets
- Extra women's toilets were added for 2026, and luggage storage is available (numbers and locations not published).
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Late October 2027 is likely: all three editions have been held on a weekend in the second half of October (26–27 Oct 2024, 25–26 Oct 2025, 23–25 Oct 2026), and the festival is in the ministry's preliminary cultural tourism festival scheme. No 2027 dates had been announced as of 18 October 2026. | expected | The 2026 dates were announced on 9 June 2026, so expect 2027 dates by early summer 2027. |
| 2026 | 23–25 Oct 2026 | ended | Jikji Culture Park and Samyeongdaesa Park, plus the Eco-friendly Ecological Park added for 2026, in the Jikjisa temple area about 12 km west of Gimcheon Station. |
| 2025 | 25–26 Oct 2025 | ended | Jikji Culture Park and Samyeongdaesa Park; site and parking about five times the 2024 size, with more than 6,600 parking spaces. Shuttles: 6 routes and 40 buses per two reports (50 per two others), with lanes reserved in both directions. |
| 2024 | 26–27 Oct 2024 | ended | Samyeongdaesa Park and the Eco-friendly Ecological Park; one shuttle route with 10 buses (one visitor report says a single 45-seat bus). |
Before or after the festival
Places you can fit in before or after the festival without missing the shuttle or the last train or bus back.
A head temple of the Jogye Order, founded in 418 on the slopes of Hwangaksan, where the monk-general Samyeong Daesa was abbot; its Biro-jeon hall at the far end of the grounds holds a thousand small Buddha statues, behind the 1735 Daeungjeon. Open 07:00–18:00 daily and free, so walk up after an early gimbap lunch, while the shuttles pause (12:00–13:00 or 16:00–17:00). Biro-jeon is the furthest hall, so allow for the walk back.
Getting there: On foot up the temple road, about 530 m from Samyeongdaesa Park, one of the festival venues (KTO); free
A city museum at the entrance to Jikjisa built around about 1,000 pieces of European porcelain and crystal donated to Gimcheon, from Royal Crown Derby vases to Lalique and Murano glass, plus a small set of Korean ceramics. Open 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30), adult ₩1,000, closed Mondays: an indoor half-hour in the middle of the grounds, and a quiet place to wait out the 16:00–17:00 shuttle break.
Getting there: At the festival address beside Jikji Culture Park, on foot; adult ₩1,000
- Getting awayAfter
The shuttle queue is the hard part: in 2025 visitors waited 1–2 hours. In 2026 the shuttles run until 19:00 but pause 16:00–17:00, so board before 16:00 or be in the queue by 17:00, well before the 18:00 close. A Sopung Taxi (app or phone, ₩8,000 to either station, up to 4 riders) skips the bus queue. Book your return train with time to spare.
Questions travelers ask
When is the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival 2026?
Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 09:00–18:00 (from 10:00 on Friday), at Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and the Eco-friendly Ecological Park beside Jikjisa temple in Gimcheon.
Is the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival free?
Entry is free; you pay for gimbap and other food at the booths. 2026 prices had not been published as of 18 October 2026. In 2025 each booth limited sales to 4 rolls per person.
How do I get there from Seoul?
Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Gimcheon(Gumi) Station (about 1 h 30 m, ₩31,900), or an ITX train to Gimcheon Station (2 h 35 m–3 h 07 m, ₩24,500), then the festival shuttle bus from the station. Kakao T Shuttle coaches also run direct from Seoul Station, Jamsil and Sadang; book in the Kakao T app.
Will the gimbap sell out?
It has both years. In 2024 the rolls ran out within 2–3 hours; in 2025 more than 100,000 rolls were prepared, yet some booths sold out before noon on day one. 2026 has more vendors, more than 60 kinds of gimbap and QR ordering, but arriving early is still the best plan.
What is the last train back to Seoul?
The festival closes at 18:00, and the festival shuttles to the stations run until 19:00, pausing 16:00–17:00. KTX trains from Gimcheon(Gumi) Station to Seoul Station run into the evening, but the last-train times for 24–25 October 2026 were not checked against Korail's timetable: check the last train in the Korail+ app (코레일+) or at the station before you go, book the return in advance, and allow time for the shuttle queue and the drive to the station.
Why a gimbap festival in Gimcheon?
When the city asked what its name brought to mind, young people kept answering Gimbap Cheonguk ('Gimbap Heaven'), a chain of gimbap restaurants. Gimcheon turned the joke into a festival in 2024, with a mascot, Kkodal-i, based on the end piece of a gimbap roll.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
22 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2027 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- KTO TourAPI listing 김천김밥축제 (contentId 3377995)kto — 2026 dates 23–25 Oct; 09:00–18:00 (23 Oct 10:00–18:00); free; venues 김천직지문화공원, 사명대사공원, 친환경생태공원; address 대항면 직지사길 118; coordinates 36.1168/128.0113; organizer Gimcheon City; phone 054-420-6714; homepage gimbapcity.kr; first held 2024; Gimbap Cheonguk origin; Cook King gimbap, gimbap factory, monk gimbap, local and novelty gimbap, Kkodal-i goods shop, gimbap art, playground; food details from 2025
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — festival listing: 김천김밥축제ministry — 2026 dates 23–25 Oct; 09:00–18:00 (23 Oct 10:00–18:00); three venues; free; organizer Gimcheon City; phone 054-420-6714; homepage gimbapcity.kr; first held 2024; programme items; food content based on 2025
- KTO tourist data — 김천김밥축제 (ktriptips mirror)kto — Zone layout: Jikji Culture Park (Gimbap Plaza), Samyeongdaesa Park (Gimbap Heaven), Peace Pagoda (Gimbap Event Ground, gimbap-and-cider zone, hanbok, fringe stage), Eco-friendly Ecological Park (Gimbap Playground: air bounce, arcade, maze, train); performers Bobby Kim, Jadu, Cheese, MC Park Young-jin; World Ceramics Museum about 7 m and Gimcheon City Museum about 276 m from the listing point
- KTO English tourist data — Gimcheon Gimbap Festival (ktriptips mirror)kto — English name Gimcheon Gimbap Festival; 23–25 Oct 2026; 09:00–18:00; free; address 118 Jikjisa-gil, Daehang-myeon; Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park, Ecological Park; phone +82-54-420-6714; held every October since 2024; Gimbap Cheonguk joke
- KTO Japanese tourist data — 金泉キムパプフェスティバル (ktriptips mirror)kto — Japanese name 金泉キムパプフェスティバル; 23–25 Oct 2026; 09:00–18:00; free; Jikjisa about 777 m from the listing point
- KTO Chinese tourist data — 金泉紫菜卷饭庆典 (ktriptips mirror)kto — Simplified Chinese name 金泉紫菜卷饭庆典; 23–25 Oct 2026; 10:00–17:00, page marked as showing 2025 content
- Yonhap via Supple — 김천김밥축제 확 달라진다…김밥 주문 대기·교통 불편 줄인다 (13 Oct 2026)news — 2026: 23–25 Oct, a day longer; eco park added; Kakao Pay QR ordering, staffed kiosks; about 60 shuttles from Gimcheon Sports Town car park, Gimcheon(Gumi) and Gimcheon stations, no intermediate stops; Kakao Mobility coaches from Seoul, Daejeon, Busan; Sopung Taxi ₩5,000–8,000; festival Kakao Map; five information centres, interpreter desk; more women's toilets; luggage storage
- Asia Business Daily — Gimcheon City to Launch Nationwide Direct Shuttles for Gimcheon Kimbap Festival (22 Sep 2026)news — Kakao T Shuttle direct to the venue from Seoul Station, Jamsil, Sadang, Daejeon City Hall Station, Daegu Banwoldang Station, Gwangju bus terminal, Busan Seomyeon Station; book via the Shuttle menu in Kakao T; two Kkodal-i goods and one roll per rider; more than 60 kinds of gimbap; gimbap train
- Sidae — 2026 김천김밥축제 카카오 T 셔틀 (23 Sep 2026)news — 23–25 Oct 2026 at Jikji Culture Park; Kakao T Shuttle routes (Seoul existing; Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, Busan new), advance booking, rider perks; more than 60 kinds of gimbap, gimbap art, gimbap train, Kkodal-i goods shop
- The Herald Business — Gimcheon Kimbap Festival 2026 (9 Oct 2026)news — 23–25 Oct 2026, three days instead of two; eco-park added; more than 60 kimbap varieties incl. kimbap bread and triangle kimbap bread; Daejeong returns; Gimcheon grape and walnut booths; cider zone with Lotte Chilsung; hanbok; more than 29 new Kkodari goods; Kakao Pay QR ordering; about 60 shuttles; Sopung Taxi; Gyeongbuk top festival, ministry preliminary cultural tourism festival, Local 100
- Kyungbuk Maeil — 김천김밥축제 참여업체 모집 (21 Jul 2026)news — 2026: 23–25 Oct, one day longer; vendor places up 52%; about 80 vendors in four categories (gimbap, snacks, new Gimcheon desserts, flea market and hands-on); selection on expertise, distinct menu and fair price; 2025 vendors praised for affordable prices; Tourism Policy Division 054-420-6714
- Kyungbuk Maeil — 김천김밥축제 SNS 사진 공모 (12 Sep 2026)news — 2026 dates 23–25 Oct at Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and Eco-friendly Ecological Park; gimbap from all eight provinces, gimbap art, Kkodal-i goods shop, gimbap-themed shows
- Dailian — 김천시, 김밥축제 역대급 흥행 시동…쿡킹 대회 개최 (11 Jun 2026)news — 2026 plans announced 9 Jun: 23–25 Oct at Samyeongdaesa Park and Jikji Culture Park; 3rd Cook King contest; 2024 about 100,000 visitors, gimbap sold out within 2–3 hours, 'gimbap festival without gimbap'; 2025 100,000 rolls, 80,000 on day one, limit of 4 rolls per person per booth
- Asia Business Daily — 'Spicy Stir-fried Pepper Gimbap' Triumphs Over 144 Teams (10 Aug 2026)news — 3rd Gimbap Cook King contest final 8 Aug 2026; 144 teams; gold: spicy stir-fried pepper gimbap with Gimcheon rice and Jirye black pork; shown first at the 23–25 Oct festival; about three finalist teams to sell on site; CU release planned
- Segye Ilbo — 10만명분 준비 불구 곳곳 품절사태 (27 Oct 2025)news — 2025: 25–26 Oct at Jikji Culture Park and Samyeongdaesa Park; about 150,000 visitors vs population 134,537; more than 100,000 servings; booths sold out before noon on day one; shuttles 10 to 50; gimbap suppliers 8 to 32; site and parking more than five times larger; no opening ceremony; gimbap contest, air bounce, maze
- Kyungbuk Maeil — 김천김밥축제, 첫날부터 8만명 '대박' (26 Oct 2025)news — 2025 2nd edition opened 25 Oct; more than 80,000 on day one; 100,000 servings; gimbap factory 1,000 rolls an hour; more than 50 kinds; Cook King winner 호두마요제육김밥; shuttles 10 to 50; more than 6,600 parking spaces; 3-hour waits; 2024 expected 10,000, about 100,000 came
- Economist (Korea) — 김천김밥축제 행사장·판매부스·교통편 확대 (21 Oct 2025)news — 2025: 25–26 Oct, 2nd edition; site about five times larger; booths 8 to 32; shuttle routes 2 to 6, buses 10 to 40, lanes reserved both ways; kiosk at each booth; real-time stock screen; Mujiring, Oing and Hamjji zones; CU contest winner; Gimgane snack gimbap; Daejeong more than 1,000 rolls an hour
- Herald Economy — 5만명 인파 우르르…'김밥' 먹으러 왔다 (25 Oct 2025)news — 2025: about 50,000 by the morning of day one; more than 50 kinds; more than 100,000 servings; suppliers 8 to 32; kiosks showing remaining stock; purchase limits; shuttle waits of over an hour
- Seoul Shinmun — 인구 13만 도시에 이틀간 15만 몰렸다 (28 Nov 2025)news — First held 2024; 2025 about 150,000 over two days, 70.5% from outside the city; 'three no's' (no protocol, no opening ceremony, no price gouging); mascot Kkodal-i from the end piece of a roll; puffed-rice plates; shuttles up fivefold; venues Samyeongdaesa Park and Jikji Culture Park
- Maeil Shinmun — 김천김밥축제, 주마가편 (8 Dec 2025)news — 2025: about 150,000 visitors; 100,000 rolls; budget about ₩600 million, four times 2024; 34 vendors vs 8; 6 routes and 40 buses vs 1 route and 10 buses; shuttle waits of 1–2 hours; 2024 expected about 10,000, about 100,000 came
- Korea JoongAng Daily via Daum — 구미 라면부터 김천 김밥까지 (20 Nov 2025)news — English name Gimcheon Gimbap Festival; about 150,000 visitors in 2025, about 50,000 more than 2024; Gimcheon population about 135,000
- Sisa News — 코레일 김천 김밥축제 연계 여행상품 (13 Oct 2025)news — 2025 Korail package: one-way fare to Gimcheon(Gumi) or Gimcheon Station, up to 40% off; ₩15,000 voucher as three ₩5,000 notes, refunded by the city; free shuttle from both stations; vouchers collected at the HQ in front of the Ceramics Museum
- Seoul Shinmun — '축제 아닌 김밥지옥' 쏟아진 비난…김천시에 칭찬 글 쇄도 (28 Oct 2024)news — 2024: 26–27 Oct at Samyeongdaesa Park and Eco-friendly Ecological Park; 10,000–20,000 expected, about 100,000 came; 7 vendors; sales-ending notices around 14:00 on both days; one 45-seat shuttle; about 200 supportive posts by 14:00 on 28 Oct; Gimbap Cheonguk survey origin
- Segye Ilbo — 제1회 김천 김밥축제 구름 인파 (27 Oct 2024)news — 2024: 26–27 Oct around Samyeongdaesa Park; picnic games (gimbap relay, handkerchief-passing); cooking contest 64 teams, 10 finalists, winner for nationwide convenience-store sale; tteokbokki, sundae, fried snacks; no disposable dishes
- Kyungbuk Maeil — 김천김밥축제 팝업 홍보부스 (29 Sep 2026)news — Pre-festival pop-up booths at the KTX Gimcheon(Gumi) Station plaza and Lotte Department Store Jamsil
- KTO travel course — 흥미진진 이야기 속 김천여행 (ktriptips mirror)kto — Jikjisa about 12 km west of Gimcheon Station; founded 418 at the foot of Hwangaksan; old pines, clear water, autumn foliage; Biro-jeon with 1,000 small Buddha statues; World Ceramics Museum at the temple entrance with 1,019 donated pieces of Western porcelain and crystal; Samyeongdaesa Park 530 m from Jikjisa
- Damoang — 김천김밥축제 가는 분을 위한 당일치기 코스 (23 Oct 2025)blog — Day-trip plan: KTX from Seoul Station to Gimcheon(Gumi), then city bus or festival shuttle to Jikjisa, about 30 minutes
- Seoul Station → Gimcheon train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 20–21 trains a day, 05:54–20:09; ITX-Saemaeul 2 h 35 m–3 h 07 m, ITX-Maeum 2 h 40 m–2 h 50 m, Mugunghwa 2 h 56 m–3 h 29 m; ₩24,500 ITX, ₩16,400 Mugunghwa standard; no KTX to Gimcheon Station
- Busan → Gimcheon train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 21–22 trains a day, 05:02–20:55; ITX 2 h 00 m–2 h 17 m, ₩18,100; Mugunghwa 2 h 21 m–2 h 40 m, ₩12,200
- Seoul Station → Gimcheon(Gumi) train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 22–25 KTX a day, 05:27–20:58; typically about 1 h 30 m (fastest 1 h 22 m); ₩31,900 standard class
- Gimcheon(Gumi) → Seoul Station train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — Last departure 21:51 KTX 74 (arr 23:23) on every day shown
- Gimcheon(Gumi) → Suseo train timetable, 14–20 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-14)other — Last departure 19:21 KTX-Sancheon 352 (arr 20:47); ₩30,400 standard
- Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로…안전 최우선, 더 편리한 고속철도의 시작 (31 Aug 2026)official — Integration and integrated running from 1 Sep 2026; KTX and SRT merged into KTX; average KTX fare cut about 10%; Korail+ app (Korail Talk + SRT app) launched 3 Aug
- KTO Korea Tourism Content Lab — Japanese and Chinese listings (contentId 4088903, 4088915, 4088926)kto — Japanese name 金泉キンパプフェスティバル; Simplified Chinese 金泉紫菜卷饭庆典; Traditional Chinese 金泉海苔飯捲節
- News-wa — 2026 김천김밥축제 10월 23~25일 (12 Oct 2026)news — 23–25 Oct 2026 at Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and Eco-friendly Ecological Park; 09:00–18:00 on 24–25 Oct, from 10:00 on 23 Oct; free entry; no festival-wide gimbap price; shuttle and parking details referred to the official site
- Seoul Economic TV — 김천시 "2026 김천김밥축제, 셔틀버스·소풍택시로 편리하게 즐기세요" (5 Oct 2026)news — 2026 shuttle plan: 60 buses (40 Sports Town, 14 Gimcheon(Gumi), 6 Gimcheon Station) to Jikji No. 2 public car park; from 10:00 on 23 Oct and 08:00 on 24–25 Oct until 19:00, about every 20 minutes, breaks at lunch and mid-afternoon; Sopung Taxi ₩8,000 from either station, ₩5,000 from Sports Town, up to 4 riders, booked by app or call centre
- Wikitree — 2026 김천김밥축제 일정·초대가수 라인업·주차장·셔틀버스 (23 Oct 2026)news — Shuttles 23 Oct 10:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00, 17:00–19:00; 24–25 Oct 08:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00, 17:00–19:00; about every 20 minutes; parking P1–P4 about 1,100 spaces; performers Bobby Kim (23 Oct), Jadu (24 Oct), Cheese (25 Oct), each at 16:00
- KTO tourist data — 직지사 (ktriptips mirror)kto — Jikjisa: head temple of the Jogye Order's 8th district on Hwangaksan; 07:00–18:00 daily; free; Biro-jeon with 1,000 small Buddhas; Samyeongdaesa Park 530 m; homepage jikjisa.or.kr
- KTO tourist data — 김천 세계도자기박물관 (ktriptips mirror)kto — World Ceramics Museum: 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; closed Mondays, 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok; adult ₩1,000; 1,063 pieces (30 Korean ceramics, 503 European ceramics incl. Royal Crown Derby, 512 crystal incl. Lalique and Murano); 118 Jikjisa-gil; homepage gc.go.kr/museum
- Hangyo — 사명대사가 주지를 지낸 김천 직지사 (28 Dec 2007)news — Jikjisa founded 418; Samyeong Daesa abbot; Daeungjeon built 1735; Biro-jeon (Cheonbul-jeon) with a thousand Buddhas at the far end of the grounds
What we could not confirm
- Festival shuttle: whether 19:00 is the last departure from the venue back to the stations, whether the 12:00–13:00 and 16:00–17:00 breaks apply in both directions, the ride time and whether it is free (free in 2025). The times come from news reports of the city's plan (Seoul Economic TV 5 Oct, Wikitree 23 Oct 2026); the official site gimbapcity.kr was not opened.
- Kakao T Shuttle fares, departure times and pick-up points for the gimbap festival were not published in the articles read.
- Sopung Taxi: whether ₩8,000 (from either station) and ₩5,000 (from Sports Town) are per person or per car (up to 4 riders), its hours, and its app and phone number.
- 2026 gimbap prices were not published; no 2024 or 2025 price was found either.
- KTO's performer names (Bobby Kim, Jadu, Cheese) match a 23 Oct 2026 Wikitree line-up (one each day at 16:00); the record's programme was not updated in this pass, and the zone layout was not rechecked.
- City bus route numbers and times from Gimcheon Station and Gimcheon(Gumi) Station to Jikjisa, and taxi fares, were not verified.
- Last trains from Gimcheon(Gumi) Station and Gimcheon Station to Seoul Station and Suseo on 24–25 Oct 2026 under the timetable in force that day: the earlier times came only from third-party mirrors (one of them for September) and were removed; Korail's own search could not be read. KTX times from Busan to Gimcheon(Gumi) were not checked.
- Whether foreign cards work with the Kakao Pay QR ordering and the booth kiosks.
- 2026 parking spaces and fees, accessibility, rain policy and pet rules were not published.
- Jikjisa: walking time from the festival grounds was not published (KTO gives about 530 m from Samyeongdaesa Park); jikjisa.or.kr was not opened. World Ceramics Museum hours and fee are from KTO data, not the city museum site.
Changes: 2026-10-18 — Added to the site: fact-first record (dates, hours, prices, getting there, sources). · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-18 — Japanese and Traditional Chinese names aligned with KTO (金泉キンパプフェスティバル, 金泉海苔飯捲節). · 2026-10-19 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: no changes found. · 2026-10-22 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: dates and hours unchanged; removed first/last-train clock times that could not be confirmed against Korail for the festival dates, and added a reminder to check the last train before travelling. · 2026-10-23 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit); transport: added the 2026 shuttle hours (10:00 Fri, 08:00 Sat–Sun, to 19:00, breaks 12:00–13:00 and 16:00–17:00) and Sopung Taxi fares from the city's plan, plus a getting-away line; Korail+ named; prices: unchanged.
