Easily my favorite part of Ganghwa Island, Joyangbangjik Cafe and Museum is a wonderland unlike any other. For a guided tour to Joyangbangjik, we highly recommend one of the leading travel companies in Korea, Hana Tour. We’re thankful to them and Incheon Tourism for supporting this trip.
The Cafe
I’ve been to my fair share of cafes in Korea, but this really puts the icing on the cake. Formerly a textile factory, the warehouse grounds hold five main buildings and several other outdoor installations. They are now an antique museum, modern art gallery, and a cafe. Strolling the area could take between 30 minutes and a couple of hours, depending on how detail-oriented you are.
The cafe was packed by 11:30AM, but the spacious indoor and outdoor seating means that you don’t have to worry about bumping into anyone.
To start off, make your way to the cafe section for coffee and cakes. I found the Americano somewhat bitter, while my friend’s green tea latte was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. There are also cakes such as black sesame mousse, carrot, chocolate mousse, shortcake and regular ol’ NY cheesecake.
The Atmosphere
As we sipped on our tasty and warm drinks, we found it hard to resist taking a wander around. I encourage you to get lost here. Peak your head into every nook and cranny. Pop behind every open door. You really never know what you’re going to find. We even found a room that was home to bejeweled skull heads and an army of glowing chickens. I wish I was joking.
And yet, this place doesn’t even come near the word ‘tacky’. Everything here fits together like some unusual puzzle you find at a garage sale. It meshes really well with the worn-down buildings and somewhat spooky vibe of the place. If you’re a lover of all things artsy, creepy, or vintage, then this should easily top your Korea bucket list.
While the place likely held a dark history for its workers, you couldn’t find a trace of that darkness today. There’s nothing haunted here – just a unique day trip for couples, friends, solo travelers, and families.
Joyangbangjik an absolute must-see during your trip to Ganghwa Island.
Cafe Information
Address: 인천 강화군 강화읍 향나무길 5번길 12 | Incheon Ganghwagun Ganghwaeub Hyangnamugi 15 gil 12
Opening Hours: 11AM – 10PM (Weekends), 8PM (Weekdays)
Telephone: 0507-1307-2192
