Han Kang’s winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature is heating up the reading fever.
In autumn, the season of reading, some open-air libraries are opening, and some people are deliberately stepping out of their homes to read.
In this atmosphere, a bookstay (a portmanteau of “bookstore” and “stay”) may be the best way to spend time with books.
Here are three bookstays in Ganghwado Island where you can fully enjoy the happiness of flipping through books.
Ladle and paddle, a Rustic Vibe for Book Lovers
The name of the bookstore, which sounds like a restaurant, was given by poet Ham Min-bok, an acquaintance of the owner.
The name reflects the idea that the bookstore should be a place to share not only knowledge but also life and affection through books--like sharing food with a ladle and paddle.
Unlike chopsticks and spoons used alone, a ladle and spatula are meant for sharing. The name alone evokes a sense of warmth.
The inside of the bookshop is just as warm and welcoming as the name suggests.
Located in a renovated old house in a quiet rural neighborhood, it has no noticeable signage, making it easy to walk past without finding it.
The relaxed atmosphere feels more like a family home than a store.
The owner has transformed their former residence into this cozy bookshop.
The owner, once a city dweller, settled here because she liked the house and started the bookstore simply because of her love for books.
Back in 2015, when it first opened, small neighborhood bookstores and bookstays weren’t as popular as they are today, so only true book lovers knew about it and came to visit.
Stepping through the cozy, sunlit courtyard and into the bookstore, you naturally take off your shoes, as it feels like a true home.
The living room shelves and low tables are filled with books, and there are plenty of comfortable seats to sit and read, allowing you to be completely immersed in a book.
To fully appreciate the charm of this bookshop, an overnight stay is recommended.
Bookstay guests can stay in two rooms connected to the living room, and once you open the door, the entire bookstore is available as your personal study.
During your stay, you’re free to read as many books as you’d like. Especially at night, after all the other visitors have left, you can embark on your own private literary journey.
[TIP]Check the website before you visit, as there are a variety of events, such as author meetings and bookshop concerts.
The Happy Languor of Reading, Bookstore Seejum
A cozy, languid scene of sunshine, books, and cats.
This might be your first impression of the bookstore.
Here, you can enjoy the happy languor of reading a book while cuddling with a friendly cat, Goyo (which means “serenity”), in a space bathed in warm sunlight.
Opened in 2019 with the motto “The courage to ask questions, the joy of discovery, and a shift in perspective,” the bookstore carefully curates its selection of books.
As it is located on Ganghwado Island, it features works by local authors, as well as books highlighting the island’s cultural content.
Additionally, visitors can find picture postcards of local landscapes.
The bookstay at the Bookstore Seejum offers a unique, attic-like atmosphere.
There are two rooms on the first floor and one in the attic.
The first-floor rooms are conveniently located next to the bookstore, while the attic room provides an especially cozy ambiance.
Each room is simply furnished with a bed, a table, and a chair, creating an ideal environment for immersing yourself in books.
Guests can freely read the books provided in their rooms as well as any on display in the bookstore, allowing for a day of uninterrupted reading and relaxation.
[TIP]When you visit on weekdays with an appointment, you can enjoy drip coffee and tarot readings with your book purchase. Appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
- Address101-16 Manisan-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
- Opening Hours(Bookstore) Wednesday-Monday 11:00-17:00, Closed on Tuesdays
- Web Pagehttps://seejum.modoo.at
Dreaming with Books, Bookstore Leeroora
A bookstore with a mysterious atmosphere is hidden near Seongmodaegyo Bridge, which connects Ganghwado Island to Seongmodo Island.
Run by a couple of writers, the bookstore was designed and built with inspiration from Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.
It’s no wonder it has gone viral among book lovers as a bookstore reminiscent of a wizard school.
Stepping into the bookstore feels like entering a magical world where books almost seem to be flying in the air.
The walls are filled with towering three-story bookshelves, and unique lights made of books hang suspended in the air.
When illuminated in the evening, these lights enhance the store’s mysterious atmosphere.
Designed by the owner, these book-shaped illuminations have become one of the iconic symbols of the Leeroora Bookstore.
The bookstay spaces operated along with the bookstore are also extraordinary, offering a variety of themed experiences.
These include the 9 and 3/4 Secret Attic, inspired by the Harry Potter films; the Hobbit House in the Golden Tree Forest, a recreation of the hobbit house from The Lord of the Rings;
and the Glass Treehouse and Rooftop Glamping Bookstay, which provide an opportunity to get close to nature.
Fans of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings will love the 9 and 3/4 Secret Attic and the Hobbit House in the Golden Tree Forest, as both spaces make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
For those seeking a closer connection to nature, the Glass Treehouse and Rooftop Glamping Bookstay are highly recommended.
The Glass Treehouse presents views of the waters surrounding Seongmodo Island through its front window during the day and the stars and moon through the ceiling window at night.
Meanwhile, the Rooftop Glamping Bookstay offers day and night panoramic views of the sea around Ganghwado Island from the rooftop.
Both Leeroora Bookstore and Bookstay operate on a reservation-only basis, with only one group admitted per hour, making it the perfect spot to relax with a good book.
Browse through the selection curated by the bookstore’s owner, relax in the garden, and savor a peaceful autumn day.
[TIP]The bookstore fee is KRW 22,000 per hour for 1–2 people, which includes coffee and dessert. For each additional person, there is an extra charge of KRW 10,000.
- Address(Bookstore) Everyday 11:00-18:00, Advance reservation required
- Opening Hours Open all year round
- Web Pagehttps://leeroora.modoo.at/
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