The 2026 Jeonju International Picture Book Fair (JIPF) is scheduled for October 2–4 at the Korea Sori Arts Center in Deokjin-gu. The original picture-book artwork exhibition is expected to continue through October 25. International visitors can attend during the main fair for the broadest mix of talks, activities and market events, or plan a later, more exhibition-focused visit.
2026 fair at a glance
| Planning detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | 5th Jeonju International Picture Book Fair (JIPF) |
| Main fair | October 2–4, 2026 |
| Extended exhibition | Original picture-book artwork is scheduled to remain on display through October 25, 2026 |
| Venue | Korea Sori Arts Center exhibition hall |
| English address | 31 Sori-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province |
| Theme | Picturing the Memories |
| Featured creators | Jimmy Liao from Taiwan and Kim Dong-sung from South Korea |
| Announced program | Book and original-art exhibitions, talks, a publishers’ book market, an emerging-creators showcase, performances, activities and a conference |
| Admission | General admission is listed as free; selected programs may require advance registration |
| Check before visiting | Daily hours, reservation rules, parking arrangements and the final program timetable |
Show this Korean address
For taxis, local map apps, or a hotel front desk, keep the original Korean venue address below.
전북특별자치도 전주시 덕진구 소리로 31 (덕진동1가)
Confirm the live route before departure.Agoda hotel candidates near the venue TOP3
Within 5 kmThese stay candidates are selected from Agoda hotel data within 5 km of the event coordinates, balancing distance, rating, and review count. Rates and availability can change in real time on Agoda.
#1Gloucesterhotel Jeonju
- Distance
- About 3.6 km from the venue
- Rating
- 8.9
- Reviews
- 4,107 reviews
#2Jeonju tourist hotel kkotsim
- Distance
- About 4.2 km from the venue
- Rating
- 9.3
- Reviews
- 2,723 reviews
#3Hotel Arari
- Distance
- About 2 km from the venue
- Rating
- 9.3
- Reviews
- 2,175 reviews
Rates, room availability, and booking conditions can change in real time on Agoda.
Dates, venue and choosing the right day
The main fair runs from Friday through Sunday. Choose October 2–4 if talks, the book market and festival activities are priorities. If you mainly want to see the original artwork, the extended exhibition gives you more possible dates through October 25. Opening days and hours during the extended period may differ, so confirm them on the official website before making a special trip.
The venue is in Deokjin-gu rather than Jeonju’s main Hanok Village sightseeing area. Save the exact exhibition-hall pin in a Korean navigation app such as Naver Map or KakaoMap, and keep the local-address helper card available for taxis. Because the arts complex may have more than one entrance or facility, check the event notice for the correct arrival point once detailed guidance is posted.
What to experience at the fair
The fifth edition is built around the theme “Picturing the Memories.” Featured creators Jimmy Liao and Kim Dong-sung offer two perspectives on storytelling through picture books and original artwork. When both a finished book and its original illustrations are displayed, compare the artwork with the published page to notice details such as composition, pacing and visual transitions.
Rather than trying to cover every activity, choose one scheduled program as the anchor for your visit. Families may prefer a hands-on activity with a generous break afterward, while visitors interested in illustration or publishing can prioritize creator talks, the conference and the publishers’ market. Program times, participants and registration arrangements can change, so use the final daily schedule when planning.
A practical viewing order
- Begin with the themed exhibition and the featured creators’ original artwork.
- Check the time and booking status of talks before entering other displays.
- Allow browsing time for the publishers’ book market if you hope to buy books or printed material.
- Look for the emerging-creators showcase to discover regional talent and newer approaches to picture-book art.
- Select performances, activities or conference sessions according to your group’s interests and energy level.
Original artwork and featured creators
The opening ceremony, talks, market and other festival programming are concentrated within the three main days, while the original-art exhibition is scheduled to continue afterward. Attend during the fair for the fuller event atmosphere; consider the extended period if the artwork itself is your main reason for visiting. Recheck the creator lineup and timetable shortly before departure.
Before-you-go checklist
What to confirm and pack
- Check the official daily timetable and whether your preferred talk or activity requires advance registration.
- Save reservation confirmations, the venue pin and your return route for offline access.
- Do not assume that every talk includes English interpretation; check each program listing for language information.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank if tickets or reservations will be shown on screen.
- Bring a foldable tote and a document folder if you expect to buy books, prints or other paper goods.
- Pack a light layer for moving between indoor exhibition spaces and autumn weather outside.
- When visiting with children, choose a meeting point and schedule breaks before everyone becomes tired.
- Contact the venue in advance if you need step-free access, wheelchair facilities or stroller guidance.
The three-day fair ends on October 4, but the original-art exhibition is scheduled through October 25. The available activities will depend on your visit date, so distinguish between the main-fair timetable and the extended exhibition schedule.
Getting there and planning your return
If you are driving, navigate to the Korea Sori Arts Center and then follow the event or facility guidance for the correct parking entrance. Parking availability, operating hours and fees should be checked close to your visit. Arrive well before a timed program so parking and the walk to the exhibition hall do not become part of the deadline.
For public transport, compare the full route from your hotel or arrival terminal rather than looking only for the nearest bus stop. Korean map apps generally provide the most useful current local-transit directions. Save the return journey as well, especially for evening or weekend travel, and check the final connection to your hotel instead of assuming frequent service after the fair closes.
Build your transport plan in this order
- Choose your date and one or two priority program times.
- Check the correct venue entrance and allow time to reach the exhibition hall.
- Drivers should verify parking access; transit users should compare both outbound and return services.
- Agree on a meeting point if your group may separate inside the venue.
- Save the onward route to your hotel or next Jeonju stop.
Where to stay for the festival
For two fair days or an early scheduled session, prioritize a hotel with a simple journey to the venue. A Deokjin-gu base may reduce the festival commute, while a central Jeonju stay can work better if restaurants and sightseeing around Jeonju Hanok Village are equally important. A station-area property may simplify rail arrival and departure, but its connection to the venue still needs to be checked for your actual travel time.
When comparing Agoda hotel options, look beyond straight-line distance. Check the mapped journey at the time you expect to travel, along with parking rules, check-in hours, room occupancy, cancellation terms and the route to your next destination. Families and late arrivals should confirm the room setup and front-desk arrangements directly in the current listing before booking.
How to compare hotel locations
- For a festival-first trip, compare actual journey time and the number of transfers to the venue.
- For a sightseeing-first trip, check access to central Jeonju and Jeonju Hanok Village as well as the fair.
- If driving, verify hotel parking conditions and whether you can enter or leave at the required time.
- If using public transport, inspect the nearest stop and the evening return service.
- For a multi-night stay, consider both the repeated venue commute and your departure route on the final day.
Add a simple Jeonju itinerary
Set your fixed fair program first, then add sightseeing around it. Jeonju Hanok Village, Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Pungnammun Gate can be combined as a central-city route, but fitting all three around a substantial fair visit may feel rushed. For a day trip, pair the event with one central attraction. With an overnight stay, attend the fair on the first day and explore central Jeonju after breakfast the next morning.
Visitors coming mainly for the original illustrations can also use an extended-exhibition date and leave more time for the city. Check current closing days, last admission and travel time for every attraction separately; the fair and nearby visitor sites do not necessarily follow the same schedule.
Leave room for the books—and the journey
The 2026 Jeonju International Picture Book Fair offers two distinct ways to visit: the full three-day event from October 2–4 and an extended original-art exhibition scheduled through October 25. Choose a few priorities, verify the final timetable and reservation rules, and then compare transport and hotel locations as one connected plan. A little unscheduled time will make it easier to appreciate the artwork without turning the rest of your Jeonju trip into a race.
Deokjin-Gu Hotels for Korea Festivals: 2026 Stay Picks
Compare Agoda hotel candidates for this Korea festival area in a separate regional guide.
Open regional hotel guideFrequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Jeonju International Picture Book Fair?
The main fair is scheduled for Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026. The original picture-book artwork exhibition is expected to continue through Sunday, October 25.
Where will the fair be held?
The venue is the exhibition hall at the Korea Sori Arts Center, at 31 Sori-ro in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju. Save the exact venue pin and use the local-address helper when showing the destination to a taxi driver.
Can I visit the original-art exhibition after the main fair ends?
Yes. The original-art exhibition is scheduled to continue through October 25, although the talks, market and other festival programs are concentrated within October 2–4. Confirm opening days and hours for the extended period.
Is admission free, and do I need a reservation?
General admission is listed as free. Individual talks, activities or limited-capacity sessions may use advance registration, so check the official schedule for your chosen date.
What should I know about transport and parking?
Parking access and operating arrangements should be checked through the latest event or venue notice. Public-transport visitors should use a Korean navigation app to review both the outbound route and the evening or weekend return journey.
Will programs be available in English?
English interpretation or translated session materials are not confirmed. Check the language details for each program, and prioritize the visual exhibitions if you prefer an experience that depends less on spoken Korean.
