A quick hop from Obihiro to Cheongju. A weekend fulfilled with OLIVE YOUNG, rooftop cafés, gourmet eats, and a touch of “micro-cosmetic” care.

Day 2: Hillside art and views — Suamgol Mural Village

When you get peckish after walking Seongan-gil, head for Suamgol. It’s a must-visit spot in Cheongju. After the Korean War (1950–53, armistice), refugees settled here, forming a neighborhood of homes along a sloped hillside—a once-declining townscape.

A 2007 public art project filled the town with charming murals, sparking its revival—a turning point. Since then, it became widely known as a filming location for dramas like “Cain and Abel” (2009/SBS) starring So Ji-sub and “King of Baking, Kim Takgu” (2010/KBS2) starring Yoon Si-yoon and Eugene.

We found a café we truly want to revisit

From Palbong bread at the foot of the hill, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Suamgol Observatory. Set on the mid-slope of Uamsan, it offers a panoramic view of Cheongju city. At sunset, the city turns golden—pose for keepsakes at benches and heart-shaped photo spots. Cafés with great views and eateries using drama sets dot the area, so you can alternate between strolling and short breaks.

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The murals are so cute! The higher you go, the wider the view opens up.

Evening is the “magic hour.” Your photo count will soar here.

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Savor the view and breeze on a rooftop — Café “OHJI”

We dropped by OHJI on the nearby café street, close to the observatory. With a glass-walled indoor floor plus a rooftop terrace, you can take in Cheongju’s changing faces—daylight → dusk → night views—in a panoramic sweep. Drinks range from refreshing to dessert-like, perfect for soothing tired feet.

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That rooftop breeze feels amazing. Instagrammable yet calming.

You can feel the charm of a place you could “live in while traveling” right here.

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The rooftop night view that makes use of the terrain was the best. I was exhausted, but I’m so glad we went. The biggest memory is finding a café I truly want to revisit—surprised even myself.

Day 2: Home of “Jikji,” the world’s oldest metal-type book

The Cheongju Early Printing Museum is linked to “Jikji,” printed in 1377 at Heungdeoksa Temple in Cheongju. “Jikji” is registered in UNESCO’s Memory of the World (2001) as the “oldest existing metal-type printed book,” predating the Gutenberg Bible by 78 years. The area around the museum has been developed as the “Jikji Cultural Zone,” where you can learn the lineage of printing culture through exhibits and hands-on experiences.

What Ms. Matsumoto learned

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I can’t believe it was 78 years before Gutenberg… I love trips where you learn something.

Day 2 (Night): Authentic flavors on Samgyeopsal Street

At night, head to Seomun Market’s Samgyeopsal Street. Specialty shops line this “meat alley,” and the crispy-outside, juicy-inside texture with charcoal aroma is irresistible. With improvements to the street and night markets, this area has built an evening flow of people through its food scene.

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I believe the “birthplace” story now. I can’t forget that toasty flavor!

Let’s come back on March 3, “Samgyeopsal Day.”

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Day 3: Feel the “kitchen of Cheongju” at the markets

Morning: Yukkori General Market—Cheongju life in one place

Start the day at Yukkori General Market. With about 1,600 shops and over 4,000 vendors, it’s a massive market where you can see “everyday life in Cheongju” at a glance—from produce, seafood, and dried goods to daily necessities. With improved arcades and expanded parking, it’s easier to wander; on days ending in 2 and 7, a periodic market doubles the bustle.

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Endless samples—so happy… prices feel truly local.

The richness of a trip is set by its markets. This is unmissable.

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Afternoon: Check “today’s Korea” at Hyundai Department Store! Save smart at Lotte Outlet

For trend-spotting, head to Hyundai Department Store (Chungcheong branch). Open 10:30–20:00 (weekdays) / until 20:30 (weekends). One of Korea’s “big three” department stores, it has strong floors for overseas/Korean brands and food. Within walking distance is Lotte Outlet Cheongju, and with an attached Lotte Mart you can grab “souvenirs to share” efficiently in one go.

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See the “now” at the department store, then buy smart at the outlet—got it.

That’s the “Cheongju set.” The routes are compact and easy.

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Night: “Jeontong Kkot Gejang” for peak ganjang gejang

For dinner, have ganjang gejang at Jeontong Kkot Gejang (전통꽃게장). A long-standing spot in Bongmyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, open 11:30–22:00 (break 16:00–17:00). Crab marinated in soy sauce boasts concentrated sweetness and umami; a bite of shell + hot rice + crab tomalley brings “quiet emotion.” In recent years, they’ve posted about using top-grade crab from prime regions.

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Shell + rice + tomalley… the gejang umami is so deep. Perfectly satisfying for the trip’s finale.

Cheongju has “quietly legendary” eateries scattered around—serious depth of flavor.

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Day 4: Experience the beauty superpower as “cutting-edge within reach”

First-ever “minor cosmetic” procedures at Wyne Plastic Surgery Clinic. Clear pricing and Japanese support make it reassuring even for beginners (confirm your own suitability and risks for any procedure).

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The careful counseling erased my anxiety.

Korea’s “medical × beauty” is world-class—it can be the purpose of the trip itself.

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Ms. Matsumoto’s real report

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Anesthetic cream: it gradually worked from under my nose; the laser was painless—just a warm sensation.
Mole removal anesthesia shot: this part hurts. But the laser itself is painless. I removed 9 this time. It worked so well I felt a bit loopy afterward (lol).
Procedure: careful and speedy. I understood why it feels more casual than in Japan—almost like a spa treatment.
Language: Few Japanese-speaking staff. Before counseling, write your requests in Japanese → Korean on a memo. Phones are locked in a locker before the procedure, so prep your translation phrases beforehand for peace of mind.

Mini TIP (Beauty)

・List areas and number of spots to remove, desired outcome, and note any NG items (strong peels, etc.) or medical history. ・Confirm day-of makeup restrictions / aftercare (UV exposure, bathing, irritating ingredients). Leave buffer time before your return flight.

Book cosmetic procedures on your departure day

For the return, fly from Cheongju International at 14:00 back to Obihiro. It’s compact, less crowded, and procedures are smooth. Next time, consider adding a “half-day Seoul” by taking KTX from Osong Station in about 40–60 minutes.

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From Obihiro, “overseas on a weekend” is now real. I’ll come back with an even bigger beauty shopping list!

Cheongju shattered the notion that “overseas is far.”

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Trip margin: A “preview” for a mother-daughter graduation trip

Ms. Matsumoto’s future plan

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I promised my daughter we’d go to Korea for her junior-high graduation trip, so this was also a preview. I’m excited to make an itinerary she’ll love.

Why “Obihiro → Cheongju” hits the mark (Recap)

• Close & affordable: Arrive in about 2.5–3 hours, with realistic costs.
• Easy movement: With KAKAO T you can ride cashless with no conversation needed.
• Walkable fun: Seongan-gil × Suamgol × markets are neatly packed together.
• Shop, taste, fine-tune: Trend cosmetics at Oriyan, full bellies with samgyeopsal & gejang, and “gentle updates to me” with minor procedures.
• Expandability: With future Incheon routes and KTX (Osong), even a Seoul day-trip is easy.

Ms. Matsumoto’s verdict

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At 3 hours, it feels like “going to Sapporo.” The hurdle to going abroad has dropped. Cheongju is “close and fulfilling”—just right.

MAP of Places We Visited in Cheongju (Chungju)

We’ve also included places from our previously featured Cheongju trip article. Please use it as a reference. Click below for the earlier article!

サクッと韓国・清州旅。帯広から直行便（2時間半）で海外行けちゃうんです。 – MATOKA

帯広から直行便で韓国・清州(チョンジュ)に行きませんか？今ならとかち帯広空港から2時間半で気軽に海外旅行が楽しめるんです。しかも格安、まさに安近短！初心者でも安心の準備ステップから現地移動・両替・グルメ・観光まで、2泊3日フル活用プランを徹底解説。

ページが見つかりませんでした – MATOKA

暮らすように旅をする [マトカ]