My Life Abroad: shrine

Since this was our first full day in Seoul, I didn't plan too much. Whenever you visit a new country, you need to figure out transportation and how everything works instead of rushing from place to place. We also had plans to meet my husband's coworker, so the schedule was intentionally light.

The only place I absolutely wanted to visit was Jongmyo Shrine.

After going out, we passed by Namdaemun Gate. Officially called Sungnyemun, it's the oldest and one of the most iconic city gates in Seoul. It was originally built in 1398 during the early Joseon Dynasty and once served as the main southern gate of the city's fortress walls.

We started the morning by walking from our hotel to Seoul Station, about a kilometre away. Along the way, we caught our first view of N Seoul Tower in the distance, sitting on top of Namsan Mountain. It’s one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks and offers panoramic views over the city.

Originally, we thought about going up to the tower, but we changed plans so we could take things slower and make sure we had enough time for Jongmyo Shrine.

Before noon, we met my husband's coworker for a quick coffee.

One thing I noticed immediately in Korea is how good the coffee is, and how many coffee shops there are. They are literally everywhere. You can’t walk more than a few minutes without seeing another café.

Before heading to the shrine, we also figured out the subway system and bought T-money cards from a vending machine. It was surprisingly easy to buy and top up.

The only downside was that the machine only accepted Korean cash, so make sure you have some won with you.

Originally, I wanted to get the Climate Card for unlimited rides, but my husband didn’t think we would use public transport enough to make it worth it.

Looking back… he was right.

We ended up walking over 10 km every day anyway 😂

Namdaemun Gate

Jongmyo Shrine

Jongmyo Shrine is one of the most important royal Confucian shrines in Korea. It was built in 1395 during the early Joseon Dynasty and is dedicated to the spirit tablets of the kings and queens of the dynasty.

Unlike the colourful royal palaces, Jongmyo is very simple and quiet. The architecture reflects Confucian values - respect, humility, and harmony, rather than decoration or luxury.

The shrine is also home to Jongmyo Jerye, a traditional royal ancestral ritual that is still performed today, along with court music called Jongmyo Jeryeak. Both are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Walking through the grounds felt very different from the busy city - calm, quiet, and almost meditative.

Tapgol Park

After Jongmyo Shrine, we stopped by Tapgol Park, a small but historically important park in central Seoul.

It was once the site of an old Buddhist temple called Wongaksa, and today it still has a 10-story stone pagoda from that temple standing in the middle of the park.

The park is also historically significant as the starting point of the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919, when Koreans gathered here to read the Declaration of Independence during Japanese rule. Because of that, it carries an important place in Korea’s modern history.

It’s not a large park, but it has a quiet atmosphere that feels slightly different once you know its history.

Bosingak Bell Pavilion

After leaving Tapgol Park, we passed by Bosingak on Jongno Street.

This bell pavilion has stood in various forms since the Joseon Dynasty and was originally used as a public time signal for the city. The bell would be struck to announce the opening and closing of the city gates, and it also served as a fire alarm.

Today, it’s mostly known as a cultural landmark, especially for the New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony, when thousands of people gather to hear it ring.

It was interesting to just walk past it in the middle of a busy street, knowing how much history it represents in Seoul’s daily life.

Claw Machines, Fried Chicken & Myeongdong

Later, we stopped by several claw machine arcades. And honestly… I wouldn’t recommend playing them in Korea 😂

My husband has caught around 30 toys in Taiwan, but here we had absolutely no luck.

In the end, something really sweet happened. A kind woman who had just won a few Pokémon plushies noticed us struggling and gave Adrian a Venusaur 🥹 That moment alone made the whole experience worth it.

For dinner, we tried Korean fried chicken. The portion was huge for just the three of us, and it slowly turned from “this is amazing” into “are we actually going to finish this?” 😅

We ended the day walking through Myeongdong, enjoying the bright lights, busy streets, and evening atmosphere before heading back to the hotel.

Distance walked: ~13 km 🚶‍♀️

Travel Dates: 2025/08/13-18

We woke up early to meet my husband’s coworker at the rental car company. Taking the tram to Kumamoto Station, the day began beautifully - blue skies and warm sunshine - but I couldn’t help feeling anxious. I had checked the Aso Volcano website earlier and learned that access to the crater area was limited due to high gas emissions. Still, we had our plan, so we hopped in the car and headed out.

The drive took just over an hour, as speed limits were 40–60 km/h, but it was a relaxing journey through peaceful landscapes. Before diving into the mountain area, we stocked up on snacks - always a smart move for remote destinations.

We parked at the Aso Volcano Museum, located in Kusasenri plain with views of the majestic Nakadake crater. Though we didn’t enter the museum itself, the location offers striking scenery and educational value.

Check out Aso Volcano LINK

Afternoon Detour: Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

On our way back, we wanted to visit Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (上色見熊野座神社), so we stopped at a supermarket to grab lunch - again, sushi it was!

The shrine is located in Minami Aso, hidden deep in the forests of Takamori Town. It's about a 30-minute drive from the volcano through scenic countryside dotted with hills and traditional homes. The parking at the entrance is free.

The Shrine is dedicated to Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, central deities in Japanese creation myth. The shrine is said to be over 1,000 years old.The current structure was rebuilt in 1722 after being burned down in the 16th century. It has gained popularity on social media and even inspired settings in the anime Hotarubi no Mori e.

What makes this place so unforgettable is the approach to the shrine: a long stone stairway of nearly 300 steps, lined with moss-covered lanterns and towering cedar trees. The light filtering through the trees creates a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere. On misty or rainy days, it becomes even more magical, as if time slows down while you climb the steps. Many visitors describe it as entering another world - so peaceful that you only hear the subtle sounds of nature, like woodpeckers.

At the top of the stairs, you’ll find the shrine itself - simple yet powerful in its presence. There’s also a massive sacred rock with a ten-meter wide hole called Ugeto Iwaya, which is said to be a place where gods descended. Local legend tells that wishes made here will be heard by the deities. According to legend, it was kicked by Kihachi, a follower of the god who created Mt. Aso - praying here is believed to bring success and victory.

The climb was rewarding but tricky. After passing the shrine, the trail led further uphill toward a boulder where water dripped down the path. On my return, I slipped on the wet stones and almost tumbled down the hill. I was terrified but thankfully stopped safely. My legs shook for a while afterward! Note to future visitors: wear sturdy shoes, and choose stone paths over muddy or soil ones - they can be super slippery.

Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine isn’t crowded like many of Japan’s more famous shrines, so you can really take your time to enjoy the tranquility. Whether you’re visiting for spiritual reasons, photography, or just to experience the calm of nature, this hidden gem in Aso is truly worth the detour.

Evening: Dinner & Downtime

We drove back to town in the afternoon for a group dinner with coworkers - our last social gathering of the day. Dinner was held again at Sakuramachi Shopping Mall. The BBQ place wasn’t really our style tho.

With most shops closing early, our evening wound down quietly, and we retreated to the hotel to rest up for the next day in Yamaga.