JIRO Local, Now

Hi there~~ This is JIRO! JIRO Letter has already reached its 4th issue. The star of our April 2026 edition is Gongju-City in Chungcheongnam-do! From stories about Gongju-City to JIRO’s favorite local eats and handy travel tips, come take a look right now~~   Gongju-City , once Ungjin—the second capital of the Baekje Kingdom ! After King Munju moved the capital to Ungjin in 475, it remained the capital of Baekje for 63 years, until King Seong relocated it to Sabi in 538. Gongsanseong Fortress -The royal palace of the Baekje Ungjin period (475–538) Gongsanseong Fortress wraps around two rugged peaks—one to the east at 110 meters above sea level and another to the west at 85 meters—giving the area a naturally steep and defensive terrain. With the Geumgang River flowing to the north and the city of Gongju-City stretching out to the south, it stands as a strategic hub! Stories of Gongsanseong Fortress Through History When the Silla–Tang allied forces attacked Sabi, King Uija fled h...

  Here is a simple guide to the bus timetable at Gongju Station. You can easily check routes and schedules to travel to downtown and major attractions. Useful for first-time visitors to Korea. ※ Bus schedules may change depending on traffic conditions and operational circumstances.

Hello everyone, this is JIRO!  We are excited to launch a new series exploring Korean Seasonal Customs, following the beautiful transition of the seasons throughout the year. Our first journey begins with "Dong-je," a sacred ritual performed in spring to wish for peace and prosperity in local villages. Curious to learn about this ancient tradition? Let’s dive right in! Dong-je : A Prayer for All Peace Blossoms in our Village this Spring 'Dong-je' is a collective rite held by residents to ensure the peace of their village. Offerings for the ritual had to be kept pure and sacred.  To ensure this, red clay was scattered near the well, and a sacred rope (Geumjul) or straw mats were used to block access. Only water drawn from this protected well was used to prepare the sacred offerings . On the day of the ritual, people gathered at the sacred site after midnight, around the time of the first rooster's crow, to begin the ceremony . The ceremony followed a sacred sequenc...