Seoul, Kyoto, & Osaka Journal. June 11th, 2026
Bukchon Hanok Village
We went to the Bukchon Hanok Village. We got there about an hour before the red zone restriction of 10am ended, so a red jacketed “Red Angel” guide recommended a place for us to look at - the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center which was in an orange zone. There wasn’t much to see there, so we didn’t stay too long. Because regular people live in the Hanok Heritage Village, there are really strict rules about where and where visitors can enter. This is the reason for the red, orange, and yellow zones.
I asked another Red Angel guide about how to get to the most popular spots in the village. He had a 日本語 (Japanese Language) patch on his uniform. I asked him if English was OK bacause 日本語もできる (I can also speak Japanese). He told me English was fine & marked up a map for us. It was still before 10:00, so we went to a cafe where we had jujube tea and green grape juice. The owner was a bearded hipster-looking guy playing the blues on his stereo. We bought some key chains there, too.
It took a little searching & following the crowds, but we found the most exemplary Hanok street. It was early but it was getting real crowded. Even so we were able to enjoy the narrow streets and the quaint look of the walled and tiled houses. We bought a charm from someone who was selling them at her front gate. Apparently she was a hanbok maker and that craft showed in the charm. It had my favorite Korean theme - tiger & magpie.
We then went back to the hotel to rest & pack. There was still lots to eat in the fridge. In the process figured out the right way to open CU convenience store Ginbap. There is a tab to tear at each end of the package, then you push from one end, and it comes out like a push-up popsicle! I also had the last of our corn silk tea. It’s a refreshing pop-corn flavored drink.
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| A scorched rice drink with a tiger and magpie! |