Ikseon-dong, a historic neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea, combines traditional Korean hanoks with modern cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Originally a residential area from the 1920s, it has transformed into a vibrant spot where old meets new, attracting both locals and tourists. This neighborhood is renowned for its trendy cafes and aesthetic dining experiences.
Check out our Ikseon-dong Food Guide & Cafe Guide to read about the hottest cafes and restaurants in this cute neighborhood!
However, there's more to Ikseon-dong than the cute cafes and restaurants. If you're looking to pass time doing fun activities, it's also worth a visit! Let's take a look at everything there is to do in this quaint neighborhood!
Shopping
The shopping in Ikseon-dong may be underwhelming if you're looking for trendy clothes. However, if you're interested in handmade trinkets to take home as souvenirs, you might find something!
Blue Elephant Ikseon (블루 엘리펀트 익선)
An unexpected gem in the middle of Ikseon-dong is the Blue Elephant Showroom, a glass brand comparable to Gentle Monster. The shop entrance, with its glass doors and clean aesthetic, will lure you in. Inside, you'll see the hanok theme, which recurs throughout the area, extended to the decor.
The showroom boasts an impressive variety of glasses, some of which look identical to popular Gentle Monster designs. The best thing about these glasses is the price: most of them ranging from 40-50 USD.
Address: Supyo-ro 28-gil 23-5, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 수표로28길 23-5)
Hours:
Mon-Thu 12:00 - 19:00
Fri-Sun 12:00 - 20:00
Women's Wear
You'll be able to find garments on the cheap at stores like the ones above. Rather than recommending a specific store, we recommend that you stroll around and hop into whatever catches your eye! We found that these stores usually open after 11:30 or after noon.
Accessories
Ikseon-dong is a great place to get affordable accessories! You can find dainty jewelry and character plushy key chains for as low as 5,000 KRW (around 3 USD)!
Other Activities
Korean Photo Booths
Ikseon-dong features many photo booths, and while most are quite similar, the well-known chains offer limited edition frames. If you're curious about how these photo booths differ from one another, check out the detailed comparisons in the blog linked below.
We went to Photo Signature, which was super cute because it preserved the Hanok interior! This one had costumes you could change into before you take the pictures. Photo booths are definitely something else in Korea!
Hours: 8:00-2:00
Address: 17-6 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 수표로 28길 17-6
Arcades
This arcade is known for being a filming location for the well known K-drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'. It has vintage arcade games, claw machines, and more! Bring coins with you (500 KRW coins) as most Korean arcades are cash-only.
Check out more activities you can do in Ikseon-dong below! 👇
We hope that you can enjoy a wonderful time exploring Ikseon-dong! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!