In Guryongpo, Pohang, there is a unique historical site where you can see streets filled with traditional Japanese houses. This seemingly out of place sight offers a glimpse into a complex past of Guryongpo. The Japanese House Street is a preserved neighborhood that dates back to Korea’s Japanese colonial period from 1910 to 1945, when the Korean peninsula was under the dominance of Japan.
During the Japanese colonial period, Guryongpo was an important fishing and trading hub, due to its location on Korea’s southeastern coast. Japanese settlers began to move into the area in the early 20th century, building homes and infrastructures to form a town of fishing industry. The result of this settlement was what is now known as the Japanese House Street. The site features wooden houses in the distinct Japanese architectural style at the time, with tiled roofs, sliding doors, and gardens. These homes were occupied by Japanese fishermen and traders of Guryongpo’s fishing economy.
After Korea regained independence in 1945, many Japanese residents returned to Japan, leaving behind their homes. Over the decades, the area was left unattended and abandoned, with the structures falling into ruins. However, in recent years, the city of Pohang recognized the cultural and historical significance of the site and began efforts to restore and preserve the houses. Through restoration projects, the Japanese House Street was transformed into a historical and cultural attraction. The homes were renovated to their original forms, while exhibitions and information plaques were added to inform visitors about the Japanese colonial period and the lives of the Japanese settlers. It is now one of the most visited attractions of Pohang, especially after it became known as the filming site of the drama “When the Camellia Blooms.”
Guryongpo Japanese House Street features over 20 traditional Japanese houses, each offering a window into the past. Several houses have been converted into museums, displaying photographs, tools, and personal items from the Japanese colonial era. The street’s uniform rows of traditional Japanese-style homes make it a popular destination for visitors, since it is a rare sight that you cannot see easily anywhere else. Visitors can also enjoy nearby attractions, such as Guryongpo Modern Culture and History Museum, which provides additional context about the area’s past.
The restoration of the Japanese House Street has sparked conversations about how to approach sites from the Japanese colonial period. While some see it as a valuable historical resource, others feel it could romanticize a painful period in Korea’s history. The city of Pohang has addressed these concerns by making the site as an educational opportunity, emphasizing both the cultural heritage and the difficult realities of the colonial period. Guryongpo Japanese House Street serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving history, including painful ones, while also providing an opportunity to promote awareness of that history. The site provides visitors with a chance to reflect on the past while enjoying the scenic beauty of Guryongpo.
As Pohang continues to develop as a vibrant city, the Japanese House Street serves as a bridge between the past and the present. A reminder of history’s lessons and the enduring value of cultural understanding. Discover a piece of history in Guryongpo and immerse yourself in the stories of those who shaped its past.
