South Korea: Nami Island

If you’re a fan of Korean popular culture, especially Kdramas, then Nami Island will be familiar to you.

An island located inland of South Korea, Nami Island was created after a dam was built, the water pulling away and revealing a small island shaped like a moon. Since its creation, Nami Island has become a popular destination for all – a perfect blend of Korean culture, beautiful nature, and fun attractions.

Getting There

Getting to the island isn’t difficult, even though it is more than an hour away from Seoul. It is accessible by Shuttle Bus, Subway, and of course taxis or cars. Upon arriving, you have to get on a ferry in order to get to the island.

The cost is under 10,000 won, but you also have the option to zip line into the island, which is around 40,000 won.

Luckily for me, Nami Island had wheelchairs for rent. Accessibility on the island wasn’t really a problem with the combo of my crutches and wheelchair!

Upon arriving, you’ll receive a map that shows you the different sections of Nami Island.

Nami Island

As you can see in the map above, there are a plethora of options available to see, separated by different “villages”.

The west side is best known for its nature, the south for its gardens and hotel, and the north for the ferry entrance and many different facilities you can use. Finally, the east is known for being closest to the main street, where most of the non-nature attractions lie.

The main street is beautiful and eclectic. Lights are strung in the trees, cute figurines are dotted along the side, peacocks and ducks wander around, and even an ostrich farm makes an appearance!

Nami Island is able to sell “cute” well, with many small details adorning the island to make it even more charming.

This charming feel is a big reason why it has been integrated into Korean popular culture.

Since its appearance in the Kdrama Winter Sonata, the number of visitors coming to visit has increased rapidly. Since then, it has made various appearances in film and tv, including more than just Korean films. It now has a hut dedicated to such appearances, seen below.

Interesting Facts about Nami Island

Nami is more than just a cute island. It’s actually a great example of how a business should be run. Along with smart decisions related to tourism, the island is eco-friendly and recycles most of their waste.

Additionally, many of the employees are friendly and open to talking about their experiences, saying how much they loved working at Nami Island. Looking into it more, I saw that the island really values their employees and doesn’t force them to retire and makes accommodations for them.

Nami also employs local artists to make sculptures and art exhibits, adding to its unique and quirky nature. Many burgeoning artists can owe the continuation of their careers to Nami Island. Their art is available for purchase, as well as many other adorable gift shops that are perfect for souvenirs.

Tip! – Buy souvenirs here for your family back home, they’re truly unique!

Nami is a unique experience in another regard, as it is actually a micronation.

A micronation is an area that claims to be independent from a country but isn’t actually recognized as a separate country. Even so, it is self-governing and you’ll need to bring your passport to enter. As a republic, it is called the Naminara Republic.

This beautiful place was a great way to get out of the city and be integrated back into nature. The food and ambiance were exceptional and the people were warm and welcoming.

I highly recommend a visit when traveling to South Korea!

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Any questions? Contact me or comment below!