Yangyang’s Autumn, Scented with Songi Mushrooms... 100,000 Visitors at the Yangyang Songi Mushroom Festival

Yangyang County Earns Praise as a Premier Autumn Festival Destination
Blending Experiential Programs and Gourmet Delights
"2025 Yangyang Salmon Festival" to Be Held from October 24 to 26

The "2025 Yangyang Songi Mushroom Festival," hosted and organized by Yangyang County in Gangwon Province and the Yangyang Cultural Foundation, was held from October 10 to 12, 2025, for three days along the Namdaechon riverside in Yangyang-eup. The event concluded successfully, attracting around 100,000 visitors.

Songi Treasure Hunt. Provided by Yangyang County

Although the number of visitors decreased by about 40,000 compared to previous years due to continuous rainfall, the atmosphere at the festival site was more vibrant than ever.

Held under the theme "Yangyang’s Autumn, Scented with Songi Mushrooms," this year’s festival delighted both families and local residents with a variety of programs that combined the aromatic appeal of Songi mushrooms with regional culinary experiences.

The signature program, "Songi Treasure Hunt," proved so popular that it reached capacity early for every session. Participants enjoyed harvesting Songi mushrooms directly from the forest, fully immersing themselves in the autumn scenery, while the site was filled with laughter and the fragrance of mushrooms.

At the "Yangyang Songi Gourmet Garden," renowned chefs participated to present a diverse menu, including Songi mushroom risotto and Songi Tteokgalbi. The local agricultural specialty market and Songi Market booths also attracted large crowds, contributing to the revitalization of the regional food industry.

This year’s festival also received an enthusiastic response for its nighttime programs. Performances by local artists, such as "Namdaechon Sunset Live" against the backdrop of the Namdaechon nightscape and busking shows at the Saetgang Terrace, evoked strong emotional responses from the audience.

In particular, the riverside Saetgang Terrace stage, adorned with lights and music, became a popular spot for social media posts, drawing many younger visitors.

During the festival, a system was implemented to reimburse 40% of the participation fees with Yangyang Love Gift Certificates, which increased both participant satisfaction and local spending.

This initiative led to a significant boost in local business sales, and the usage rate of the GoGoYangyang app also rose noticeably.

Fireworks at the Opening Ceremony of the Yangyang Songi Mushroom Festival. Provided by Yangyang County

In addition, more than 200 local people, including regional merchants and members of the Yangyang County Volunteer Center, participated, establishing the festival as a community-driven event.

Choi Taeseop, Executive Director of the Yangyang Cultural Foundation, stated, "The Yangyang Songi Mushroom Festival is evolving beyond simply promoting local specialties into a lifestyle festival where Yangyang’s forests, people, and economy come together. Next year, we aim to present an even more refined festival focused on sustainability and regional coexistence."

The Yangyang Cultural Foundation is preparing for the upcoming "2025 Yangyang Salmon Festival," which will be held from October 24 to 26, building on the success of this year’s Songi Mushroom Festival.

Through the branding of the "Yangyang Autumn Festival Season," which connects both festivals, Yangyang is expected to establish itself as the center of autumn tourism in South Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.