Where To Rent A Hanbok In Seoul: Everything To Know
Are you planning to travel to Seoul, Korea? Or you’re just looking for something fun to do downtown this weekend? Did you know that renting a Hanbok, or traditional Korean clothing, is one of the most popular things for tourists to do in Seoul? On top of that, Korean locals do it too.
Renting a Hanbok is both fun and makes for gorgeous photos in the traditional areas of downtown Seoul. If you’ll be visiting a Korean palace or walking along the traditional streets of the Bukchon Hanok Village, and wondering how to rent a Hanbok in Seoul, you’ve come to the right place.
Learn more about the Korean Hanbok and where to rent a Hanbok in Seoul, Korea:
- A Brief History of the Hanbok
- 3 Reasons You Should Rent a Hanbok While in Seoul
- How long should I rent a Hanbok for?
- Will we be the only ones wearing a Hanbok in downtown Seoul?
- How much does it cost to rent a Hanbok in Seoul?
- Are there Hanboks for kids?
- What are the Hanbok size options at Hanbok rental shops?
- Where to rent a Hanbok in Seoul
- Hanbok Rental with Discover Seoul Pass
- Renting a Hanbok step by step
- Where to take photos in a Hanbok in Seoul
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A Brief History of the Hanbok
The Hanbok has roots dating back to the Three Kingdoms Period in Korea from 57BC to 668AD, though the Hanboks most often seen for rental and purchase around Seoul are from the last dynasty in Korean history, the Joseon Dynasty which reigned from 1392 to 1910.
Hanboks were designed as daily clothing and thus the shape and simplicity of the roomy skirt and easy tie top made it easier to move and work. Traditionally, the vivid hues of the clothing symbolized ones social position and marital status, though as I found out when picking out my wedding Hanbok, that’s not really so important anymore. Younger unmarried people wore brighter colors while older married people wore more muted hues.
By the 19th century more western imports meant that the Hanbok went out of fashion in favor of western-style suits and dresses.
Today, Hanboks are commonly only worn during traditional ceremonies like Jesa during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holiday periods and at weddings. I personally wore a Hanbok for my entire Korean wedding ceremony but these days brides often wear a western-style white wedding dress and only wear the Hanbok during the Paebaek ceremony that includes a piggy-back ride. Imagine jumping on your husbands back in a tight white dress! While traditional Hanboks are generally kept for family photos and traditional holidays now, modern Hanboks have come back in a big way.
3 Reasons You Should Rent a Hanbok While in Seoul
- You can get free entrance into traditional sites like the palaces in Seoul.
- Cultural appreciation. Koreans love that you want to try on their traditional clothing. It’s fun and you can learn more about the Korean culture.
- Hanboks will make your photos gorgeous and will definitely give you something to remember about your trip to Seoul, Korea.
How long should I rent a Hanbok for?
This is a good question and depends on how much time you have in your itinerary. I’d say it also depends on what season you plan to rent in as well. The summers in Korea can be extremely hot and humid and while the pictures will be gorgeous with the lush green, you’ll also get pretty sweaty in the added layers of cloth and in long sleeves.
Generally, I recommend renting a Hanbok for 1.5 to 2 hours at least. As your rental time starts as soon as you leave the store, this means that you’ll want to rent near where you want to go for pictures so you can use your time wisely and not waste it traipsing around the city.
Of course, the longer you wear a Hanbok, the more photos you can get though! Wearing a Hanbok for a whole day and seeing everything is feasible too though.
Will we be the only ones wearing a Hanbok in downtown Seoul?
If you’ve never visited Seoul before, you might be a bit nervous or shy to go around in a Hanbok. Maybe you wonder how popular it actually is. To put your mind at ease a bit, I’ll say that downtown in the Bukchon Hanok Village and at the palaces and surrounding areas, it’s a very common sight, so don’t be nervous at all. It’s not even just foreign tourists renting either. Renting Hanboks is a popular activity with younger Koreans as well who love taking photos in the traditional attire. Rent for the day if you want and enjoy it.
If it is your first time to Seoul, check out my guide to Seoul, Korea for the first-time visitor which will help you make a fantastic itinerary for your trip here.
How much does it cost to rent a Hanbok in Seoul?
For something so popular and considering how expensive Hanboks can be, it’s amazing how reasonably priced it is to rent a Hanbok for a few hours or even a day. The shops vary, but generally, you should expect to pay about $15.00 for a few hours and around $30.00 for a full day. Prices vary a bit shop to shop as mentioned, but generally, this price includes the full Hanbok outfit, accessories, and a locker to put your things while you’re out and about enjoying your Hanbok.
Are there Hanboks for kids?
Yes! Where children’s Hanboks are definitely available, I’ve made note of below next to the rental shop. Renting a Hanbok for the whole family is a great experience and super fun. It’s definitely a family-friendly experience. Don’t be surprised if your little ones get a lot of attention once they’ve donned their Hanboks as well.
What are the Hanbok size options at Hanbok rental shops?
If you’re a US size 0-8 then you generally won’t have any problem finding a Hanbok at one of the Hanbok rental shops. If you’re bigger, than you may have some difficulty or at least a smaller selection available to you. When looking at the shops below though, Seohwa Hanbok has Hanboks that fit up to a US 22-24.
Where to rent a Hanbok in Seoul
There are a quite a few popular places to rent Hanboks from in downtown Seoul. Because rentals are usually time based, you’ll want to have where you want to go in your Hanbok in mind. Will you be walking around for two hours? Four hours? All day? It’s up to you but you’ll want to choose a shop near where you want to go so you’re not just on transit in a Hanbok… though that would make for some interesting photos as well.
In the descriptions below, I’ve tried to make it clear where these particular shops are and what would be nearby to see so you can find the place that’s best for you.
You’ll notice that I’ve added links for major tourism sites like Klook and kkday below. Generally, there are some big reasons to book in advance. One, you’ll have a lot smoother checking in time. They already have your information prepared so you can get right in and start trying on Hanboks. Two, Koreans almost never pay at a venue because the online pre-booking services always provide cheaper rates.
If you can get tickets online for anything, do it. You’ll pay less. With Klook and kkday you can save up to 50% vs in-store options at some of the places.
Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store (한복남 경복궁점)
Hanboknam is a well known rental service with a few different locations and multilingual information available. They are popular for Hanbok rental for a reason. They have just beautiful male and female Hanboks and children’s options as well available for rental. If you’re traveling with family and want options for everyone, this is the place to go. They have over 500 design options.
- Address: 133-5 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 사직로 133-5)
- This branch of Hanboknam is just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace’s main entrance and is ideal if you want to take beautiful photos at the main palace in Seoul, or on Gwanghwamun Square. On this side of the palace, you’ll also find the popular Tongin Traditional Market.
- Pre-Book: You can pre-book online with Klook or with kkday before you go to ensure you get right in on time. You should also note that you can rent a Hanbok from Hanboknam with the Discover Seoul Pass as well.
- Includes: A traditional Hanbok, basic hair styling service, inner skirt, access to ‘self studios’ for photos. Does NOT include accessories or make-up service.
Hanboknam Changdeokgung Store (한복남 창덕궁)
The great thing about Hanboknam is that they have multiple locations so depending on where you want to take photos, you can just choose the closest Hanbok rental shop. Hanboknam’s Changdeokgung branch is ideal if you want to visit Changdeokgung Palace or go around the corner to the lesser visited Changgyeonggung Palace, Unhyeongung Residence, or Bukchon Hanok Village.
- Address: 2nd floor, 85 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로 85 2층)
- Pre-Book: You can pre-book online with Klook to get right in and start trying on Hanboks when you arrive.
- Includes: A traditional Hanbok, basic hair styling service, inner skirt, access to ‘self studios’ for photos. Does NOT include accessories or make-up service.
Hanbok That Day (그날그한복)
Hanbok That Day has beautiful male and female Hanboks and on top of that, if you pre-book, you can reserve a photographer to take some gorgeous photos of you in your Hanboks at very reasonable prices. If you’re traveling with your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, wife, or just a friend and want to have some memorable photos from you trip, definitely look into this. The photoshoots can take place outside of the National Folk Museum or at Gyeongbukgung Palace. Just make sure you reserve your time to ensure you have a photographer. Even without the photographer option, Hanbok That Day has beautiful Hanboks and is in an ideal location if you want to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace once you’re dressed.
- Address: 36 Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 율곡로1길 36)
- Pre-Book: You can pre-book online with Klook before you go to ensure you get right in on time.
- Includes: A traditional Hanbok, accessories, locker for your things, basic hair styling service, inner skirt, fur vest or fur shawl in cooler months. (Does NOT include make-up service.)
Dorothy Hanbok (도로시한복여행)
Dorothy Hanbok has a great easy-to-find location just a minute from Anguk Subway Station and is right in the middle of some great locations for photos. They have Hanboks for men, women, and children so get the whole family involved! The staff is very kind and there are so many beautiful Hanboks for rental available.
- Address: 2nd floor, 23 Yunboseon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 윤보선길 23 2층)
- Located in Anguk-dong half way between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, and just south of Bukchon Hanok Village, this is an idea location if you want to get a picture at any or all of these locations.
- Pre-Book: You can pre-book online with Klook before you go to make sure you can get right in and start trying on Hanboks when you arrive.
- Includes: A traditional Hanbok, accessories, locker for your things, basic hair styling service
Seohwa Hanbok (서화한복)
Located just to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seohwa Hanbok has beautiful elegant Hanboks. There are hundreds of styles and colors. They have quite competitive prices. Check them out if you have a larger group or family and want Hanboks for quite a few hours. They have great deals if you’re looking for longer term rental with 6 hours, 1 day or even up to 2 day options.
- Address: B1, 137 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 사직로 137)
- Pre-Book: You can pre-book online with kkday before you go to make sure you can get right in and find the perfect Hanbok.
- Includes: A traditional Hanbok, accessories, basic hair styling service, inner skirt.
Gongju Hanbok (공주한복)
Want to feel like a princess? Head to Gongju, which means princess, Hanbok. They have Hanboks for men, women, and children as young as 1. Gongju Princess has a great location in Insadong and is a good location if you want to take pictures in Bukchon Hanok Village, at Gyeongbokgung Palace, or at Unhyeonggung Residence. Insadong is where most tourists start anyway, so this is an easy spot to splice into your itinerary on the go.
- Address: 4th floor, Sudo Pharmacy, 40 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 인사동길 40 수도약국 4층)
- Pre-Book: You can pre-book online with kkday before you go to make sure you can get right in and find the perfect Hanbok.
- Includes: A traditional Hanbok, accessories, basic hair styling, inner skirt, and a locker for your things.
Hanbok Rental with Discover Seoul Pass
FYI, if you’re planning on traveling in Seoul and are looking into getting into a lot of fun, definitely look into getting the Discover Seoul Pass. The Discover Seoul Pass can get you into a lot of the major tourist sites in Seoul at a great deal and it does include Hanbok rental for 90 minutes with Hanboknam. If Hanbok rental is on the agenda among other great activities, see if the card will make sense financially for you.
Renting A Hanbok Step By Step
You’re ready to rent a Hanbok in Seoul, but you might still have a few questions. Do I need to take anything? Where can I put my stuff. Here are some guidelines that you can be aware of before you go.
Arrive on time!
If you book a time online, which I highly encourage as the shopkeepers aim to spread people out and have enough staff on hand to help everyone efficiently, make sure sure you arrive on time. Actually, your schedule will be shortened if you arrive late and if you arrive too late, your reservation could be cancelled all together.
Deposit
You’re dressed up and ready to go, you’re going to be wearing a Hanbok that is likely worth hundreds of dollars and it’s in good shape. There is a deposit required before you leave. Generally, Hanbok rental shops ask that you leave your ID or Passport along with a financial deposit of about W10,000 with them.
If you’re uncomfortable leaving your original passport with them, you can also take a copy of your passport or ID and leave a deposit of about W50,000 instead. This is just to ensure that if any major damage happens to the Hanbok, it’s covered. On that note, when you’re putting on your Hanbok, give it a good lookover to make sure there are no rips or tears that already exist before you walk out the door.
Take your time
Once inside the shop and looking around, you’ll be amazed by how many colorful options there are. Most places have the skirts and jackets separated by size first and then by color so you can easily head to where you can find something that fits. Take your time and find the colors that suit you.
Don’t get undressed
Though traditionally, and when I’m wearing my traditional Hanbok, there isn’t clothing beneath, with the rentals, you’ll be asked to keep your t-shirt and pants on. This means you might want to size up a bit on the dress depending on the season and what you’re wearing. Anyway, the dress is meant to flow so having it tighter up top does nothing except make you uncomfortable all day. Keeping your clothes on also means it’s easier for the shop to keep all of their Hanboks cleaner.
- Pro Tip: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. For the female Hanbok, unless you’re really tall, you won’t be able to see the shoes anyway.
Get your hair done
The staff at most if not all of the shops will help you to style your hair and add a traditional accessory to finish off the look. They will braid your hair and add in a daenggi or a ribbon of sorts, but they can also do stylish buns with a sort of headband. They have plenty of photos for inspo.
Time starts when you depart
Your official time of rental starts when you depart the store. Make note of the time so that you can have yourself and your Hanbok back in time and don’t incur any additional fees.
Where to take photos in a Hanbok in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, or Changgyeonggung Palace
These palaces are the most popular for a reason. They’re gorgeous and huge and wearing a traditional dress at a traditional site is just a unique experience, not to mention you get in for free if you’re wearing a Hanbok. These palace grounds are huge so there will be plenty of space to spread out and take beautiful photos.
Tips for a better experience:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and Changdeokgung Palace is closed on Mondays. Make note of this so you don’t rock up to a closed palace.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace has a changing of the guard ceremony at 10:00am and 2:00pm in front of the main gate. Try to plan your itinerary so you can see it.
- Changdeokgung Palace is known for its ‘Secret Garden’ which requires a special admission ticket as only a certain number of people can enter per day. Check the Changdeokgung Palace website to see what time slots are open so your itinerary is planned accordingly.
- Changgyeonggung Palace is less popular with tourists but that might just be why you want to visit. There’s also a beautiful green house on the grounds of this palace that is really eye catching.
Bukchon Hanok Village
After visiting one of the main palaces of Seoul, the next most popular place to head is the Bukchon Hanok Village. One of the only remaining villages in Seoul with traditional Hanok homes, there are beautiful tea houses to visit, and narrow alleyways with beautiful views. Check out my guide to the Bukchon Hanok Village to find some of the hidden alleys with great views and of course the most popular one too and find a beautiful tea house to sit and sip.
Jogyesa Temple
One of the most popular, and accessible, Buddhist temples in Seoul. Jogyesa Temple sits right in the heart of Insadong while most Buddhist temples in Korea are mountainside. This temple regularly has added decorations like lotus lanterns in the spring to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday as well as flower installations in the autumn. There is no entrance fee to the temple and they welcome everyone to enter and to enjoy the incredible temple walls and architecture. Check out my guide to Jogyesa Temple to learn more.
Unhyeongung Royal Residence
Unhyeongung Royal Residence is a popular place for Koreans to do their dol photos to celebrate a child’s first 100 days or first birthday. It’s unique in that the facades of the buildings aren’t painted in the vivid colors of the palaces or Buddhist temples of the surrounding traditional sites. If you want something just a bit different and a bit less popular with tourists but still beautiful all the same, definitely find out more about Unhyeongung Royal Residence.
I think you’re ready to get dressed up and enjoy the sights now, don’t you? Enjoy your stay in Seoul and take some gorgeous pictures.
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