Bosu-Dong Book Street

To find both American and Korean literature and comics, there is no better place to go than the quirky Bosu-Dong Book Street. It’s like stepping into a very lively, and chaotic, outdoor library with hidden nooks and crannies.

In tech-savvy South Korea, books are now seen as retro and reading as the perfect way to disconnect from the online world for a while. Because the Book Street has been here since the end of the Korean War in 1953, it traditionally mainly sells American books and children’s education and study books. But because it’s getting trendy, you can find reference books, novels, thrillers and sci-fi stories in English here now too.

The unmistakable scent of second-hand books welcomes you in Bosu-Dong Book Street. Books on all topics and in all sizes are stacked from floor to ceiling inside each shop, leaving you little room to move. To even get into the cramped stores, you’ll first have to dodge high piles and trolleys with discounted and popular books that are put out in the street each day.

Bosu-Dong Book Street is also known as “Bookstore Alley,” because it’s really not much more than a laneway. If you’re not here to browse the book stores, you’ll be through it in no time. However, many visitors can’t resist to stop and check the covers in the hope to find a classic American novel or beautifully illustrated anime book. Others simply love taking photos of this unusual street with its charming stores and friendly vendors. There is some colorful street art along the nearby public staircase to admire as well.

After you’ve found a suitable book, take a seat in one of the street’s cozy book cafés to start reading as you sip warm coffee or tea. Before you leave, you may want to visit the museum in the street’s multilevel Book Street Cultural Center. Otherwise, head south to browse the district’s lively markets.

The Bosu-Dong Book Street is part of Busan’s Jung District. Get there by taking exit 3 from the Jagalchi subway station, then walk through the Bupyeong Market and cross Daecheong-ro.