From a 1930 Department Store in Gyeongseong to The Heritage: Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch
Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch stands on the site where Mitsukoshi’s Gyeongseong branch opened in 1930, offering a glimpse into Seoul’s modern commercial architecture in the heart of the city. Directly connected to Exit 7 of Hoehyeon Station, it invites visitors to explore the Main Building, The Estate, and The Heritage together and trace how the area between Namdaemun and Myeongdong has changed over time.
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Mitsukoshi's Gyeongseong Branch Opens on Sogong-ro on October 24, 1930
The starting point of Shinsegae Department Store's main branch was Mitsukoshi's Gyeongseong Branch, which opened on October 24, 1930. At the time, the building had one basement level and six above-ground floors, occupied a site of 2,410㎡, and had a total floor area of 13,457㎡. It was introduced as the largest department store in Japan, Joseon, and Manchuria combined. Today's main branch is more than simply a building for shopping; it is an example of continuing to use a place where the consumption and urban culture of colonial-era Gyeongseong were concentrated as a contemporary commercial space.
After liberation, the site was renamed Donghwa Department Store and later became Shinsegae's main branch. The expression “Korea's first department store” also involves historical context surrounding Mitsukoshi's origins during the colonial period, so when visiting, it is worth considering not only the splendid exterior but also the changes in the systems and ownership that this place experienced.
Three Eras Divided among the Main Building, The Estate, and The Heritage
The current main branch consists of the former main building, called “The Reserve,” the new building, called “The Estate,” and the former headquarters building of First Bank, called “The Heritage.” In particular, The Heritage uses the former headquarters building of First Bank, completed in 1935, and the building was designated Seoul Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 71 in 1989.
The “House of Shinsegae Heritage” has been created on the fifth floor of The Heritage. If you plan to quickly tour only the department store shops, it is easy to miss this building's exterior and interior route. Conversely, if you are interested in modern architecture and urban regeneration, it is easy to understand the site by exiting Hoehyeon Station, viewing The Heritage exterior first, and then moving to the main and new buildings.
Hoehyeon Station Exit 7 Provides the Shortest Entrance to the Food Floor
The address is 63 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Chungmuro 1-ga), and Exit 7 of Hoehyeon Station on Subway Line 4 connects directly to the main branch's food floor. This route is the most practical when carrying large luggage or on rainy or snowy days. Setting Hoehyeon Station as your destination rather than approaching from Myeongdong Station makes it convenient to combine Namdaemun Market and the main branch in one trip.
Buses stopping at the “In front of Shinsegae Department Store” stop include trunk routes 143, 406, 705, and late-night route N31. At the “Namdaemun Market·Hoehyeon Station” stop, you can take branch routes 7011, 7013A, and 7013B; trunk routes 104, 105, 463, 604, 705, and 707; and airport bus 6015. At the “In front of Namdaemun Market, Site of Yi Hoe-yeong's Activities” stop, trunk routes 100, 103, 151, 152, 162, 173, 201, 202, 261, 262, 400, 401, 406, 500, 504, 701, and 704; metropolitan routes 9000-1, M4101, M4102, 4103, and 9007; and airport bus 6015 stop.
A Day Plan with a 10:30 Opening and Restaurants Open until 21:30
The main branch's regular business hours are 10:30–20:00, while extended-hours days run from 10:30–20:30. The restaurant area operates from 11:00–21:30, with last orders generally accepted 30 minutes before closing. However, including the food hall, orders may close early if ingredients run out, so it is safer to arrive for dinner before 20:30.
Closing days and extended-hours days vary by month, so check the calendar on the official store information page again on the day of your departure. There is no admission fee, and the main telephone number is 1588-1234 (paid call). The official store page is https://www.shinsegae.com/store/main.do?nbsp=&storeCd=SC00001. If your goal is to observe the architecture rather than shop, viewing the exterior and public spaces between opening and lunchtime, then planning a meal after 11:00, creates a natural route.
Parking at 2,000 Won per 10 Minutes, with 1–3 Hours Free Based on Purchase Amount
For visitors arriving by car, the basic parking fee is 2,000 won per 10 minutes. Based on same-day purchase receipts, purchases of 50,000 won or more qualify for one hour of free parking, 100,000 won or more for two hours, and 150,000 won or more for three hours. Free parking coupons cannot be combined with other purchase receipts, and parking fees apply if you do not bring your receipt.
The main branch is located where vehicle traffic from Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong, and the Sogong-dong business district overlaps. If you have no specific shopping purpose or plan only a short architectural visit, taking Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station is an easier way to reduce costs and time. Parking is available, but the fee structure is not well suited to extended stays.
A 90-Minute Walk through the City's Commercial History between Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong
The recommended visit duration is 60–90 minutes when focusing on the exterior, public spaces, and The Heritage without shopping, or 2–3 hours when including meals and store visits. After entering the food floor from Hoehyeon Station Exit 7 and moving between the main building and The Heritage, you can compare 1930s department-store architecture with 1935 bank architecture in the same area.
Nearby Namdaemun Market is a market district that has carried on the flow of downtown commerce since the early 20th century, while Myeongdong developed into a tourism and fashion district after the war. Accordingly, the main branch works well as a transition point on a route that begins at Namdaemun Market, passes through the modern architecture of Shinsegae's main branch, and then continues to Myeongdong. If you plan to move around carrying many shopping bags, check separately whether luggage storage and the underground connecting route are available at Hoehyeon Station. If using stairs is burdensome, it is better to use the department store's interior elevators and information desks.
Before You Go
- Address
- 63 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Chungmuro 1-ga)
- Hours
- Regular hours 10:30–20:00, extended hours 10:30–20:30, restaurant area 11:00–21:30 (last orders 30 minutes before closing; early closing possible if ingredients run out)
- Closed
- Varies by month (check the official store information calendar)
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 1588-1234
- Official site
- https://www.shinsegae.com/store/main.do?nbsp=&storeCd=SC00001
- Transport
- Hoehyeon Station Exit 7 on Line 4 connects to the food floor. In front of Shinsegae Department Store: 143, 406, 705, N31. Namdaemun Market·Hoehyeon Station: 7011, 7013A, 7013B, 104, 105, 463, 604, 705, 707, 6015, and others.
- Parking
- Available. Basic fee: 2,000 won per 10 minutes. Same-day purchases of 50,000 won or more qualify for 1 hour, 100,000 won or more for 2 hours, and 150,000 won or more for 3 hours of free parking; receipts cannot be combined.
- Time needed
- 60–90 minutes focusing on architecture and public spaces; 2–3 hours including meals and shopping
- Accessibility
- The food floor is connected to Hoehyeon Station Exit 7. For interior movement and assistance, using the information desk is recommended.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
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