Hanbok Rental in Seoul: Exploring Joseon Palaces in Hanbok

Whenever I travel to a new destination, I always want to learn the culture, tradition and history of that country. Whether it be sampling local cuisine, exploring historical attractions or dressing up in traditional clothing. Remember our Maiko Transformation in Kyoto, Japan? It was, for me, one of the most memorable experiences I had in Japan. When my friends and I visited South Korea, we tried hanbok rental and explored the Joseon palaces while wearing them.

Before you immerse yourself in the Hanbok experience, it’s essential to plan your trip properly. If you’re wondering how to prepare for your visit, check out this comprehensive guide on how to prepare to visit South Korea for helpful tips and insights.

Hanbok Rental at Oneday Hanbok

Before we flew to Seoul, I booked our Hanbok rental with One Day Hanbok, a Hanbok rental service in Seoul. The service offers affordable rates, costing KRW 20,000 for 4 hours and KRW 28,000 for a full 24-hour rental. On our first day, my friends and I woke up early. We started with Gwanghwamun, where we watched the Changing of the Guards ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace and made a quick stop at Changdeokgung. Afterward, we headed to Oneday Hanbok, conveniently located just across from Gyeongbokgung. The location made it easy to transition from sightseeing to dressing up in traditional clothing.

The palaces, as expected, were packed with tourists, both local and foreign. It was around 3 degrees Celsius that day—much colder than anything we experience in the Philippines. Thankfully, the three of us were well-prepared for the chilly weather. Since it was my second winter trip to South Korea, I had already given Sheila and DJ an idea of how cold it could get. With the help of Uniqlo’s Heattech products, we stayed warm and comfortable. The cold didn’t bother us at all. Haha.

Korean Barbecue for Lunch

After our half-day Joseon Palace tour, my friends and I took the subway from Jongno 3(sam)ga to Chungmuro Station. Finding the exact location of Oneday Hanbok in Chungmuro proved to be a bit challenging. Despite having their map on our iPhones, it took us about 30 minutes to locate the building. Once we finally found it, we were all starving, so we decided to grab lunch first. It was our second Korean BBQ meal of the trip, and we couldn’t resist because we absolutely love Korean BBQ! The food at the BBQ house was superb, although a bit pricey at KRW 23,000 per person. That’s why I only had eomuk for dinner that night. Lol!

My Hanbok Rental Experience

After lunch, we headed to Oneday Hanbok. Upon entering the shop, their helpful staff assisted each of us individually. We were instructed to remove our down jackets and try on two hanboks of our choice. The shop offers over a hundred hanboks, ranging from traditional to modern designs, in sizes from extra small to extra large for both men and women.

Choosing the perfect hanbok was an exciting part of the experience. Each of us carefully selected colors and patterns that reflected our personalities. The vibrant fabrics and intricate designs gave us a glimpse into South Korea’s rich cultural heritage, and we couldn’t wait to step out in these beautiful garments.

It was fun exploring the Joseon palaces in traditional clothing, but beyond that, wearing the hanbok made me feel like a Joseon princess. Koreans, especially the ahjummas and ahjussis, complimented my friends and me. They couldn’t help but say ippuda (meaning beautiful in Korean), as we walked by. Seeing their delighted faces, I felt they were happy that foreign tourists appreciate their traditional clothing and show respect for their customs.

Overall Experience

Having tried both Japan’s kimono and South Korea’s hanbok, which do I prefer? While kimonos and hanboks both feature vibrant colors, intricate designs, and embody rich traditions, I personally prefer the hanbok. It’s more forgiving after a big meal—you won’t look like you’re in your second or third trimester. Lol. If you’re looking to rent a hanbok in Seoul, I highly recommend Oneday Hanbok. The experience was absolutely worth the money, plus you get free entry to the Joseon palaces. How cool is that?!