Discover the Unique Coffee-Themed Boat Experience in Gangneung: Free Rides from April!

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Gangneung City in Gangwon Province is launching a playful waterfront attraction for the Gyeongpo cherry blossom season: coffee-themed boat rides.

The city announced on the 18th that it has created the Ojukheon Traditional Boat-Riding Experience Program around the Gyeongpo Ecological Retention Pond and will pilot it from April 1 through June 30.

The project received a 2 billion KRW investment (about $1.5 million) and will run a fleet of 27 boats: 15 two-seaters, 10 four-seaters, and two traditional boats. Rides are free during the pilot period; the city plans to set usage fees by ordinance and begin regular operations in July.

Operating hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and the service will be closed every Wednesday.

Notably, the boats celebrate Gangneung’s signature coffee culture—designed in the shapes of coffee beans and coffee cups—to offer visitors a fresh, Instagram-ready experience.

The city is also offering traditional boat rides so visitors can get a taste of Gyeongpo Lake’s old-world charm when ferries once crossed its waters.

To encourage longer stays, Gangneung plans day-and-night experiences linking Ojukheon and the Gyeongpo area, plus a waterfront cultural festival that pairs performances with hands-on activities timed to the cherry blossoms.

Gangneung will also ramp up social media content and online promotion to draw younger visitors and families.

Because these are on-water activities, the city will strengthen safety measures by stationing safety personnel and making life jackets mandatory.

Shim Sang-bok, director of the Culture, Tourism and Maritime Affairs Bureau, said, \”The Ojukheon traditional boat-riding experience is new tourism infrastructure unveiled for the ‘Year of Visiting Gangneung.’ By combining tradition and nature, we aim to boost Gangneung’s appeal as a year-round destination.\”