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

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

1.2Km    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.

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

1.2Km    2025-07-14

33 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand's philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea's tradition and aesthetics, the store's tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand's carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor's preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.

Halmeoni Kalguksu(할머니칼국수)

1.2Km    2021-04-14

14-2, Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-569-9900

It is a place where you can enjoy Korean noodles with hot soup. The best menu at this restaurant is noodle soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Happy Jewerly [Tax Refund Shop] (해피쥬얼리)

1.2Km    2024-06-27

1F, #21, 26, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Cheese Industry (치즈인더스트리[치즈공업사])

Cheese Industry (치즈인더스트리[치즈공업사])

1.2Km    2023-08-22

33-7 , Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheese Industry is a ranch-themed cafe decorated with moving wooden cows grazing on grass. The cafe specializes in cheese, selling a wide range of handmade cheese and baked goods. 

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

1.2Km    2021-09-15

29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-2038

Gyeonggyojang House, a designated Historic Site, was the location of the provisional government and the place where Baekbeom Kim Koo passed away. Seoul reproduced the historical site, Gyeonggyojang House, to use the area as an educational site. Also, the house exhibits the history of the provisional government in order to see the history more clearly.

Restoration work included the demolition of the interior that was changed when the building was turned into a hospital facility and embassy after Kim Koo passed away in 1949. During the work, the remaining parts were maintained with the utmost care. Reconstructed parts were based on the building's floor plan written in Chosun and Architecture (8th edition in 1938). Visitors can see various contents related to the Korean Provisional Government history through relics, video, and information searching corners.

Cheong Su Dang Bakery (청수당 베이커리)

Cheong Su Dang Bakery (청수당 베이커리)

1.2Km    2023-08-31

31-9, Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1318-8215

Cheong Su Dang Bakery is a large hanok bakery cafe that combined six hanok houses into one with a garden. Visitors can relax in a forest-like setting within the city. Various desserts are available including a special present package. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere as time moves slower with the calmness.

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

1.2Km    2024-07-09

45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0274

Gyeonghuigung Palace, a designated Historic Site, was originally called the large palace by Saemun Gate, or the Western Palace, for its location within the city. It was not until the eighth year of Gwanghaegun (1616) that the palace was used as a royal residence for the king, changing the name to Gyeongdeokgung Palace. The name later changed again to the current Gyeonghuigung Palace in 1760. The palace grounds included many halls but they were mostly all burned down in a fire in 1829. After the Japanese occupation began, all remaining buildings on the site were torn down and the palace grounds were turned into Gyeongseong Middle School (now Seoul High School). The school moved to Gangnam area in 1987, afterwhich the previous location was turned into a park. The palace grounds currently hold Seoul Museum of Art and walking paths, as well as a restoration of Heunghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace, and Sungjeongjeon Hall, the main hall, completed in November 1994.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

1.2Km    2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Oncheonjip Ikseon (온천집 익선)

Oncheonjip Ikseon (온천집 익선)

1.2Km    2023-08-07

31-8 , Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

A restaurant with a pond and garden in the courtyard for the feel of old hanok style architecture, visitors can enjoy a meal with a view of the pond anywhere in the restaurant. The white gravel floor looks like a snow covered ground, and the brazier that burns wood daily gives off the mood of real hot springs motel.