'Osu, October~~~~Month'... Imsil Offers 'Autumn Travels with Pets'

by Noh Junghun

Published 01 Oct.2026 17:38(KST)

A Month Full of Events

From Festivals to Camping and Train Tours

Throughout October, Imsil in North Jeolla Province will unveil a series of travel and experience programs that people can enjoy together with their pets. From the ImsilN Cheese Festival to camping, tourist trains, and Halloween events, this season’s pet culture programs are combined with tourism to welcome autumn visitors.

Imsil County announced that to celebrate the 2nd Animal Protection Day (October 4), it will hold a series of diverse pet culture events throughout October where both pet owners and non-pet owners can enjoy and participate together. Courtesy of Imsil County Office.

Imsil County has organized events taking place mainly at Osu Dog Tourist Site and Imsil Cheese Theme Park, starting with the 2nd Animal Protection Day on October 4, where both pet owners and non-pet owners can participate together. This year’s event slogan is “Osu, October~~~~month.”

Osu is a place famous for the legend of “Osu’s Dog,” a story passed down since the Goryeo Dynasty. Based on the tale of a dog who gave its life to save its owner, sites such as the Statue and Park of Osu’s Dog have been established, making the area a symbolic center for Imsil’s pet culture policies.

From October 3 to 5, at Osu Pet Nuri, activities will include a pet culture exhibition room, promotional displays about the Osu Dog, meet-and-greet sessions with the Osu Dog, Samoyed dog interaction, a unique animal interaction zone, a chrysanthemum exhibition, and more. On the 4th, “A Promise for Animal Protection Together in Osu – 1004 DAY” will be held. This will feature mini-behavioral consultations for dogs, basic behavior training sessions, and a pet protection campaign, all open for anyone to join onsite without advance registration.

At the ImsilN Cheese Festival, which will be held from October 8 to 11, a special rest area will be set up for visitors who attend with their pets. In the pet relaxation zone within the Imsil Cheese Theme Park, parasols and mini tents will be provided, and visitors can borrow items needed for pet mobility. Activities such as dog caricature drawing and experiencing cooked pet food will also be available.

From October 9 to 11, a “Pet Tour” will also be operated, allowing visitors and their pets to take tours of Imsil’s major tourist sites. Sixty teams from the Gyeongsang region, each accompanied by a dog, will travel to destinations including the Osu Dog Tourist Site, the 119 Safety Experience Center, Okjeongho Crucian Carp Island, and the Imsil Cheese Theme Park. Additionally, for the two-night, three-day “Imsil Ddaeng Ddaeng Cheese Camping” program, 22 teams will participate. Attendees will explore local markets, make cooked meals and cheese for their pets, experience dog yoga and massages, and then enjoy the ImsilN Cheese Festival.

Agility and sports activities for companion dogs. Provided by Imsil County Office

From October 16 to 18, the “Autumn Pet Camping Festival” will take place at the Osu Dog Tourist Site, including camping, an agility competition, pet-friendly sports activities, talk shows, and concerts. On the 24th, a special tourist train in collaboration with KORAIL, the “Imsil Ddaeng Ddaeng Chrysanthemum Train,” will operate for dogs and their owners. Travelers can enjoy a chrysanthemum exhibition and visit major tourist attractions in Imsil while taking in the autumn scenery by train. Up to 200 teams with dogs are expected to join.

“Halloween Pet Star” will be held on October 30 and 31 at the Osu Dog Camping Ground, featuring Halloween-themed street decorations, pet grooming booths, food trucks, a pet music concert, a magic show, and open talk shows.

Imsil County is utilizing the historic story of Osu Dog as a unique tourism resource, expanding the experience of living together with pets as a new theme for regional tourism.

Imsil County Governor Han Deok-Su stated, “On the occasion of the 2nd Animal Protection Day, I hope this can be a time not only to enjoy activities with pets but also to reflect on the values of respecting life and caring for one another in pet culture. By connecting pet-friendly spaces like the Osu Dog Tourist Site with Imsil’s tourism assets and pet industry, we aim to further develop into a pet culture-friendly city where people and animals coexist.”