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~ this is JIRO~^^! On March 25, JIRO attended the “Conference on Enhancing Metropolitan Governance for Sustainable Urban Models” held in Daejeon. Mokwon University Concert Hall, where the conference was held. Enhancing Metropolitan Governance for Sustainable Urban Models Date & Time | March 25, 2026 (Wed) 13:30–17:00 Venue | Mokwon University Concert Hall, Daejeon Hosts | Daejeon Metropolitan City, Daejeon Urban Regeneration Support Center, Mokwon University, Korea Urban Regeneration Society At the conference, discussions focused on what changes are needed for Korea’s urban regeneration projects— which have grown significantly in scale over the past few years— to become truly sustainable. Rather than focusing solely on physical redevelopment, the sessions explored broader perspectives on the long-term sustainability of cities, featuring both presentations and in-depth discussions. While the conference offered valuable insights overall, there were also a few aspects that fe...

​Hello, this is JIRO~~ In April, JIRO visited Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do for the JIRO Letter field trip. Gongju was the second capital of Baekje and preserves its culture well, which is why it has been designated as the Baekje Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Shall we take a look at what Gongju was like~~! At Gongju Station, the gateway to Gongju-si, you can meet the city’s mascots, “Gongju” and “Gomagom.” If you take Bus No. 202 from in front of Gongju Station and ride for about 30 minutes, you will arrive at Gongsanseong Fortress. Since the buses do not run very frequently, it is recommended to check the timetable in advance! When you get off the bus, the lush green Gongsanseong Fortress welcomes you, and with traditional Korean music performances taking place, it feels as if you’ve stepped into history. Traveling while learning about a region seems to make the journey even more enriching ^^ There is an admission fee for Gongsanseong Fortress, but you can enter for free ...

Hi there! This is JIRO.  Today, I’m excited to share a story about a city in South Korea that is absolutely obsessed with strawberries: Nonsan. > Just how deep does their love for berries go? Let’s dive right in and find out!

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...

Hello from JIRO! Today, we’re excited to share the March issue of the JIRO Letter, featuring Gurye County in Jeollanam-do. In an earlier post, we introduced spring in Gurye, when the cornelian cherry blossoms come into bloom. This new issue explores the story in greater detail, so we hope you’ll take a look. JIRO Letter March Issue: Discover Spring in Gurye, Jeollanam-do Spring in Korea? Make it Gurye. Gurye County is one of the first places in Korea where you can  truly feel the arrival of spring. This is because Gurye has the largest number of cornelian cherry trees in the country. Their yellow blossoms bloom earlier than cherry blossoms, quietly announcing the beginning of spring. By mid-March, the entire village is painted yellow with blooming cornelian cherry flowers. It is also the time when the Cornelian Cherry Blossom Festival takes place. As you immerse yourself in the festival and feel spring with your whole body, you may find yourself filled with yellow excitement. And p...