Jeongdongjin

Minseong Kim · CC BY-SA 4.0

The railway station closest to the sea in the world, where the country gathers for New Year sunrise.

The platform at Jeongdongjin is only a few steps from the surf — a Guinness record for the station nearest the sea. After a hit television drama was filmed here in the nineties the place became a meeting point for couples and sunrise-watchers. On the night of 31 December trains run through the dark from Seoul carrying people out to the beach to wait for the first sun of the year. On the hill behind, an enormous cruise ship built as a hotel looks down over the water.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Jeongdongjin?

Sunrise; especially 1 January

How long do you need at Jeongdongjin?

2 hours

What are the opening hours of Jeongdongjin?

All day

Did you know

Recognised by Guinness as the railway station closest to the sea.
Made famous by the 1995 drama 'Hourglass'.
The giant hourglass in the park beside it turns once a year.
The New Year's Eve train from Seoul is a Korean tradition.

Travel tips

Book the New Year's Eve train months ahead if you want to go then.
Sunrise is around 5am in summer, 7:30am in winter.
Rail bikes run along the coast nearby.

Source: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Updated: 2026-08-05