Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

6.2Km    2025-06-19

4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
 SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.

Insa-Dong National Souvenir Center (한국관광명품점(인사동))

6.2Km    2020-11-07

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-6529

Operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Korea Tourism Association, the National Souvenir Center has strict standards for the brands sold, only allowing those which have won various prizes and passed thorough screening. Shoppers can be assured of high quality and high class products.

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

6.2Km    2025-06-19

(4-6th floor, Maru Art Center), 35-4 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and group experience programs.

Gayaseong (가야성)

6.2Km    2021-03-26

6, Eulji-ro 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-3939

It is a popular store among office workers in Euljiro. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is noodles in black bean sauce.

National Souvenirs Center [Tax Refund Shop] (한국관광명품점)

6.2Km    2024-04-23

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Jogeum (조금)

6.2Km    2021-03-29

62-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-725-8400

It is a Japanese-style hot pot rice store. The best menu at this restaurant is Hot Stone Pot Rice. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Boobing (부빙)

6.2Km    2024-01-12

136 Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Boobing is short for "Buam-dong bingsu" (shaved ice). As such, it is a shaved ice restaurant that always has a long waiting line on weekdays or weekends. The main menu item is pat bingsu (shaved ice with red beans), made with red beans that are provided by a bean produce. They also serve their own original bingsu desserts that use ingredients like melon, mint chocolate, and gold pineapple. Their signature menu is Chodang corn bingsu, made with finely ground corn with milk ice on top. The cafe has a one bingsu order per person policy.

Seungdong Church (승동교회)

6.2Km    2020-04-02

7-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-2340

Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society.

Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939.

Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.

Insa Art Plaza (인사아트 프라자)

6.2Km    2020-04-23

34-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-9969

Gukje Embroidery - Insa-dong Branch (국제자수원 3호점 (인사동))

6.2Km    2020-05-07

41, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-0830

Opened in 1979, Kukjae Embroidery specializes in embroidered crafts using traditional Korean patterns. Every product is delicately and elegantly crafted by master artisans. Kukjae Embroidery is known as a frequent destination of foreign dignitaries. It offers a seminar where international tourists can learn how to make embroidered crafts.