Gangneung Day Trip From Seoul by KTX (2026): Coffee Street, Tofu Village and Gyeongpo Beach — Route With Map

Gangneung, on the east coast, is the easiest seaside day trip from Seoul: the KTX gets you there in about two hours. Korea’s coffee capital has a whole street of cafés facing the sea at Anmok Beach, a village famous for soft tofu at Chodang, the long sands of Gyeongpo and a busy market for the trip home.

Last checked: October 2026. Facts come from our Gangneung guides; shops and hours change, so confirm on Naver Map on the day. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

First time in Korea? Start here: our step-by-step guide from landing to your first day.

Where does the route go?

Numbers show the order; the dashed line links the stops in a straight line, not the exact walking path. For turn-by-turn directions, tap Open in Naver Map under each stop (why Naver Map).

How does the day look at a glance?

What will I see at each stop?

1. Gangneung Station (강릉역)

Take an early KTX from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni to Gangneung Station. Taxis wait outside; buses leave from the stops in front.

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2. Ojukheon (오죽헌)

Ojukheon is the birthplace of the Joseon scholar Yi I (Yulgok) and his mother, the artist Shin Saimdang. Both appear on Korean banknotes (the 5,000 and 50,000 won). The black-bamboo grove gives it its name.

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3. Gyeongpo Lake and Beach (경포해변)

Ride to Gyeongpo: walk part of the path around the lake, then cross to the long beach lined with pine trees.

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4. Chodang Sundubu Village (초당순두부마을)

Lunch at Chodang Sundubu Village, where restaurants make soft tofu with seawater instead of a coagulant. Order the plain white sundubu or the spicy red version; many places also sell tofu ice cream.

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5. Anmok Beach Coffee Street (안목해변 커피거리)

Take a taxi to Anmok Beach Coffee Street, a strip of cafés facing the sea that grew out of the town’s old coffee vending machines. Pick one with an upper-floor terrace.

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6. Gangneung Jungang Market (강릉중앙시장)

Finish at Gangneung Jungang Market for dakgangjeong (crispy sweet chicken), squid sundae and other snacks for the train, then walk to the station.

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How can I change the route?

• Sunrise: stay overnight for sunrise at Jeongdongjin or Gyeongpo.
• Coffee lovers: add Terarosa’s roastery café, one of Korea’s best-known coffee brands, south-west of the centre.
• Winter: combine with a ski resort in Gangwon-do; see our ski resorts near Seoul.

Tips for this route

• Book return trains when you book the outward one; evening trains sell out at weekends.
• Taxis are easy to find at the beaches; for the market, walk or call one with Kakao T.
• Bring a warm layer: the sea wind is cold outside summer.

Is this route accessible?

Gangneung Station, the market and most cafés on Anmok’s main road are accessible. The beaches have boardwalks in places; Ojukheon has gravel paths and some steps. Taxis make the route manageable without much walking.

FAQ

How long is the KTX from Seoul to Gangneung?
About 2 hours from Seoul Station, a little less from Cheongnyangni.

Is Gangneung worth a day trip?
Yes, for the sea, Anmok’s coffee street, Chodang soft tofu and Gyeongpo Beach.

How do I get around Gangneung?
Taxis are quickest between the sights; city buses are cheaper but less frequent.

Sources: Korea Charts – Seoul–Gangneung KTX timetable (Oct 2026) · Travel Map Journey – Gangneung by KTX (Korean) · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors