Bosu-dong Book Street

Ryan Bodenstein · CC BY 2.0

A narrow lane of a few dozen second-hand bookshops, stacked floor to ceiling since the war years.

In 1950, when Busan became the provisional capital and refugees poured in, a couple spread sacking in this lane and sold used books. Seventy years on there are still about thirty shops, the lane is still narrow, and the books still run floor to ceiling in walls of paper that leave a gap wide enough for one person. There are old schoolbooks, Japanese novels, magazines from the seventies, old maps; many owners are the second or third generation. Nobody looks anything up on a computer — ask for a title and the owner thinks for a second, then pulls it straight out of the wall.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Bosu-dong Book Street?

Year-round

How long do you need at Bosu-dong Book Street?

1 hour

What are the opening hours of Bosu-dong Book Street?

09:00–21:00; closed the first and third Sunday of each month and over Seollal and Chuseok

Did you know

It began in 1950, when Busan was the wartime provisional capital.
Around 30 second-hand bookshops remain in the lane.
Many shops are run by the second or third generation of the same family.
It sits directly behind Gukje market and BIFF Square.

Travel tips

A few shops carry second-hand foreign-language books; just ask the owner.
Most close early and some shut on Sundays.
Bring cash; many shops don't take cards.

Source: http://www.bosubook.com/main/5

Updated: 2026-08-05