Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Discover Jemulpo Gurabu: A Cultural Landmark in Incheon for International Visitors For international tourists visiting South Korea, Jemulpo Gurabu in Incheon is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of history and culture. This site, originally established as a social club in 1901, has been a significant venue for cultural exchange and interactions among various nationalities, including Americans, British, Germans, French, Russians, and even a small number of Chinese and Japanese residents. Jemulpo Gurabu, initially known as the Jemulpo Club, was built to foster camaraderie and social interaction among the foreign residents of Incheon during a crucial period of Korea's opening to the world. The club is housed in a picturesque two-story brick building, topped with a tin roof, echoing the architectural style of its era. The interior was thoughtfully designed with facilities such as a social room, a library, a billiards table, and a tennis court, reflecting its purpose as a hub for leisure and socialization.         ​ The club's history is marked by various transformations, mirroring the dynamic political and cultural shifts in Korea. After the foreign concession areas were abolished in 1914, the building served multiple purposes, including a Japanese veteran's hall and a women's association center. Post Korean liberation, it was used by the U.S. military. The building's role as a cultural center continued as it became the Incheon City Museum from 1953 to 1990 and later the Incheon Cultural Center from 1990 to 2006. In 2007, Jemulpo Gurabu was reborn, emphasizing its historical significance and the Japanese pronunciation of "club". Today, it stands as a testament to the rich cultural interactions of modern history, attracting visitors from all around the globe. For international tourists, especially those interested in the history of international relations and cultural exchange, Jemulpo Gurabu is an unmissable destination. Its rich history, architectural beauty, and significance as a site of cultural confluence make it a fascinating stop in Incheon. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, or simply in search of unique travel experiences, Jemulpo Gurabu offers a deep dive into Korea's diverse and intricate past, making it a must-visit landmark in South Korea.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Located behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Maple Tree House (Danpungnamujip, 단풍나무집) is a meat restaurant where diners can enjoy grilled meat in an elegant, wine bar-like ambience. The restaurant's main dish is Cheongyeop, which is pork grilled over a charcoal fire and wrapped in fermented sesame leaves. There are many repeat customers (including international guests) who come back for the succulent grilled meat, unique sauce, and great service. Though the restaurant in Samcheong-dong is the main restaurant, there are also two branch restaurants in Dogok-dong and Itaewon.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The wine restaurant, dugahun, is located in the backyard of Gallery Hyundai on Samcheong-dong Road. As the name Dugahun (두가헌, translated ‘a very beautiful house’) implies, the restaurant is characterized by its exquisite, antique architecture that dates back to the 1910s. Combining fine Western dining and a wide selection of wines with a beautiful hanok interior, dugahun provides visitors with a unique dining experience. For an added element of culture, visit Gallery dugahun (the adjacent Russian-style brick building) and take a look at the array of domestic and international artwork on display.


Incheon(Nam-gu)

Originally founded as O Ik-hwan Women’s Hospital in 1993, Seoul Women’s Hospital is presently the only hospital specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in Incheon and it is the first women’s hospital to have acquired the medical institution certification. The hospital serves an average of about 5,000 child births annually, 250,000 outpatients, and numerous cases of surgical operations. The hospital has maintained the top ranking delivery rate in Incheon for consecutive years, and is ranked third nationwide. It has 97 beds in total, where 90 of them are for general patients and 7 are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It was approved as a baby-friendly hospital by UNICEF in 2005 and 2009. The hospital provides first aid for high risk infants and premature babies in need of special care or treatment at its neonatal intensive care unit, which is equipped with specialized equipment including 11 incubators, artificial ventilators, and echocardiographs to offer immediate and accurate checkup and treatment. Lastly, the hospital deals with over 800 cases of in vitro fertilization (IVF) a year and over 1,000 cases of artificial insemination (AID) annually. The success rate of pregnancy via IVF was 50% in year 2012. The hospital was designated as a “medical institution specialized in embryo creation” in 2005 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and was registered as a government supported IVF and AID authorized institution in 2006 for couples with sterility issues.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The Novotel Ambassador Gangnam, Seoul is one of the hotel chains run by Accor Asia Pacific that opened in September of 1993 by Korea's Ambassador Hotels Group in cooperation with Accor Asia Pacific. Novotel Ambassador Gangnam holds 330 Western-style rooms, 2 Korean-style rooms, a coffee shop, lobby lounge, Japanese restaurant, entertainment bar, buffet, deli, refined restaurants and seminar rooms, conference room, cocktail reception, and 4 banquet halls to meet every reception's needs. In addition, the business center is open 24hrs and the hotel provides a wireless internet card for a high-speed internet connection from anywhere in the building. Also, the hotel offers a state-of-the-art health club with a swimming pool, golf range, gym, sauna, aerobic room, and jogging track that is open for guests from 6:00AM to 10:00PM.The hotel is also closely located to the COEX Trade Center and Gyeongbu Highway, and offers convenient transportation to and from Incheon International Airport. Novotel Ambassador Gangnam is always doing its best to meet every need of its guests so that they may have a comfortable stay in Seoul.


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

Established in December 1984, Seoul Nori Madang (서울놀이마당) offers diverse traditional performances on an outdoor stage to promote Korean folk plays and culture among the public. Performances are regularly held every weekend; it hosts over 120 performances every year and each performance attracts over 1,300 visitors. Within Seoul Nori Madang is Songpa Folk Preservation Association (+82-2-412-8665), which offers seminars on folk plays—Songpa Sandae Nori (a mask play) and Songpa Baekjung Nori (a play performed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month)—for students at no charge.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Located on the top floor of the Park Hyatt Seoul in Gangnam, Park Club boasts a state-of-the-art fitness studio along with exquisite spa facilities, pools, restaurants, and bar. The Park Club has over 30 treatments for the skin and body including the renowned "Park Club Back Massage" and indulgent spa packages like the Namu (Wood), Dol (Stone), and Mul (Water) packages that utilize natural elements. “La Stone Therapy” helps visitors restore the balance of mind and body by using the energy of earth and stone while the “Experience Seoul” Package (KRW 680,000 with 10% value added tax charged separately) offers customers the ultimate experience of extravagant pampering. The Park Club employs only the most qualified spa care professional to ensure customers the best in beauty care.


Daejeon(Daedeok-gu)

This center shares how water resources are developed, used, and managed through various educational tools and exhibits. The center also hosts events and performances for visitors and local residents. The facility offers guests with a thorough knowledge of the life-cycle of water and the important benefits it provides. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Hanji Chueok (Recollections) is one of the better-known craft shops in Insa-dong and has even been featured by a number of international magazines. Prepared using Korean traditional processing methods, hanji is a type of beautiful, high-quality paper. Hanji Chueok is a great place to experience the tradition of hanji crafts; hanji crafts, accessories, photo frames, and interior design items line the store shelves. Visitors can not only purchase extremely well-crafted items, but can also participate in seminars taught by professional artists to learn how to make their own hanji crafts. Of course, visitors are free to take home their hanji creations at the conclusion of the seminar.