When you want to enjoy a leisurely meal near Seoul, Icheon
The essence of rice dishes and the warmth of earthen ceramics met in a cozy city of 210,000 people.
Let me introduce this city
Located just an hour's drive from Seoul, Icheon is the perfect place to escape your busy daily routine and catch your breath for a moment. Thanks to its cozy scale with a population of 210,000, you can spend a quiet weekend without the hustle and bustle. It is a warm city where the savory aroma of rice and rustic yet stylish ceramic workshops harmonize, making it a great place to visit when your heart feels empty.
The path this city has walked
When you think of Icheon, the rice once served to the king naturally comes to mind, right? Rice farming has flourished since ancient times thanks to the abundant waterways of the Han River (νκ°) and fertile plains. Furthermore, since the Joseon Dynasty, it has become famous as a hometown of ceramics with good soil and abundant firewood, to the extent that a branch office of Saongwon was established. The craftsmanship and artistic spirit that our ancestors forged while lighting kilns are still passed down intact to this day.
Must-visit places
If you come to Icheon, you must take in both nature and art. It's a lot of fun to escape the crowded city center, stroll through green farms, or check out your own ceramics in workshops rich with the scent of earth. We've gathered spots that will make your heart comfortable wherever your footsteps take you.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt is an open space with wide gardens and animals, making it great to visit with children or take a quiet walk to feel nature.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt is perfect for those who like light hiking, as it offers the fun of navigating charming rocky ridges without being too steep.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt is like a sanctuary for Icheon citizens, where you can comfortably climb from the park trail embracing the lake up to the summit.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βYou can closely feel the touch of artisans who have continued the lineage of pottery for a long time and catch a glimpse of the breath of traditional kilns.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βNumerous workshops gather along charming alleys, allowing you to touch the soil yourself and look at one-of-a-kind bowls in the world.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt is a village where you can fully feel friendly rural experiences as if visiting your grandmother's country house and the joy of seasonal harvests.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt is a cozy space where you can tour traditional milling facilities, experience firsthand, and learn about the value of our rice and agricultural culture.
Nature surrounding the city
Nature in Icheon is not flashy, but it has a subtle charm. The mountains and fields that change their clothes every season warmly welcome you whenever you visit. It is really great to enjoy nature as if climbing the neighborhood back mountain in light clothes on a weekend morning.
Seolbongsan Mountain (μ€λ΄μ°)
Called the guardian mountain of Icheon, its scenery harmonizing with Seolbong Lake is beloved as a weekend walking and light hiking course.
Doderamsan Mountain (λλλμ°)
Its rocks form grotesque rocks and stones to present wonderful views, and it is a recommended mountain when you want to enjoy a short but thrilling hike.
Taste and style of this city
The highlight of an Icheon trip is undoubtedly the rice. A full table setting loaded with freshly cooked, glossy rice, salty soy sauce marinated crab, savory soybean paste stew, and various side dishes of greens is always touching whenever you eat it. Every autumn, the Icheon Rice Cultural Festival is held, buzzing with foodies gathered from all over the country. If you have filled your stomach heartily, walk through ceramic art villages like Yespark and feel the artistic sensibility of Icheon.
Local-favored restaurants
Fancy tourist attraction restaurants are nice, but the fun of visiting local restaurants that have been loved by neighborhood people for a long time cannot be missed either. These are places where you can fill your stomach heartily with a bowl of freshly cooked rice or taste a warm meal that will melt away the fatigue of travel.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βAn old-tradition whole chicken restaurant located inside Icheon Gwan-go Market, where crispy fried old-style chicken and fried chicken gizzards are popular menus.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt is a space where you can enjoy hand-drip coffee and homemade desserts in a cozy and warm sentiment and rest quietly.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA place presenting neat and creative Korean dishes utilizing fresh seasonal ingredients, and reservations are mandatory.
You can enjoy aged kimchi braised spicy chicken and a healthy full table setting generously in a cozy atmosphere as if coming to a country house.
A place where you can taste clean and sincere Japanese dishes, it is a small restaurant that locals frequently visit on special days.
Things to know before traveling
Icheon can be easily visited from Seoul by taking the Gyeonggang Line subway or intercity bus, so you can fully enjoy it even as a walking traveler. However, public transportation dispatch intervals are a bit long, so if you check the timetable in advance when making an itinerary, it becomes much more leisurely. Restaurants may have long waits during weekend meal times, so visiting a little early is recommended.
Essential for public transportation use
Check Icheon Station train timetable
Seoul-Icheon express bus booking
Official tourist information and festival news
Municipal news and notices