Nijimori Studio
Dongducheon
I’d like to introduce a place where you can enjoy Japan right here in Korea! It’s Nijimori Studio, located in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi-do.
With streets that feel like you’ve stepped into Japan, a ryokan hotel, and a charming atmosphere that blends art, history, and entertainment, it’s a small healing village.
Since it’s near Seoul, it’s perfect for a light day trip. I also recommend it as a date course, or as a family outing if you have kids.
It’s not a large-scale place, so if you’re looking for somewhere with tons of attractions, it might feel a little lacking. But if you just want to lightly enjoy a Japanese atmosphere, I think it’s a good choice.
I’ve been there both in summer and winter, and the feeling was different each season.
Let’s get started.
Location, Operating Hours & Parking
Address:
- Address: 567-12 Cheonbosan-ro, Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Transfer to a bus from Jihaeng Station or Dongducheon Jungang Station on Line 1 (about 15–20 minutes)
- Search on navigation: “Nijimori Studio” or “Dongducheon Japanese Village”
- The entrance is clear, so it’s not hard to find!
Operating Hours:
- Daily 11:00 – 21:00 (Last entry at 20:00)
- Open year-round
- (Depending on the season, it may be extended until 21:30 during summer)
Pet Policy:
(Pets are allowed, but… having to pay the same admission fee as a person is a bit… not great. They say admission is free on Wednesdays, so if you have a pet, I recommend coming on a Wednesday.)
- Pet size limit: Under 15kg allowed (Aggressive breeds are not allowed regardless of weight)
- Admission fee: ₩20,000 on weekdays / ₩25,000 on weekends (Includes a pet-exclusive kit)
- Special Day: Pet admission is free every Wednesday!
- Special Benefit (NEW): When purchasing a pet admission ticket, you receive 1 free re-visit ticket for your dog
Parking:
- There is a dedicated parking lot
- Parking fee: Basic ₩3,000 (for about 10 hours)
- On weekends it can get full from the afternoon, so I recommend visiting in the morning!
Nijimori Studio Admission Ticket Prices
Weekday admission: ₩20,000 Weekend/Holiday: ₩25,000 Pets pay the same admission fee + (pet kit) included *Pets enter free on Wednesdays.
Free admission: Infants under 12 months (with proof of age)
Package Ticket Prices
1 person on weekdays: ₩68,000
Weekend/Holiday: ₩73,000
This price includes (drink + kimono rental + meal coupon + admission ticket).
Nijimori Studio Map
The name “Nijimori” in Nijimori Studio means “Rainbow Forest” in Japanese. Just like the name suggests, it’s a theme park that recreates a small Japanese village set inside a rainbow forest.
If you look at the map, you’ll get a sense of which areas you can explore and what kinds of things you can enjoy.
There’s also a Rainbow Forest Quest. When you buy an admission ticket, they give you a pamphlet-style guide that explains it in detail.
It’s fun to walk around slowly, like taking a stroll, and complete the quests one by one.
Nijimori Studio Entrance and Scenery
This is a photo I took while looking around Nijimori Studio, where the whole village seemed to come into view at once. It reminded me of a small Japanese town— kind of like Spirited Away!
There are also cute cats wandering around, and you’ll find cat houses scattered here and there. Can you see the parking lot behind the cat house in the photo? The parking spaces were pretty decent.
Nijimori Studio Food
(What I Ate)
NIJI Ramen
If you look at the map above, there are a few restaurant areas. I had lunch at Niji Ramen.
There were 6 types of ramen, and you could also order sides like tonkatsu or dumplings.
My friend ordered tonkotsu ramen, and I had shoyu ramen. The taste was pretty good. It was a little spicy yet smooth. If you like ramen, I think you’ll be satisfied enough.
The restaurant area is marked on the map, but there are more snack options than proper full meals. So if you don’t particularly like ramen, I recommend eating outside before coming.
One time, I first ate at a famous Uijeongbu budae-jjigae restaurant about 15–20 minutes away, then came to Nijimori Studio for a little outing.
Mori Mart
here was also a shop that only sells Japanese snacks and sweets. Was it red bean candy? I bought some and it was delicious.
Aino Cafe
I also tried the cat bread at the cafe. It had cheese inside, so it had a sweet-and-salty taste. It went really well with coffee.
They also sell matcha ice cream, and there are various drinks, so it was nice for a light treat.
The interior of the cafe was decorated with antique props to create an old-era atmosphere.
At a shop along the street, they were also selling Japanese-style mochi called warabi mochi.
They were also selling takoyaki and squid senbei.
They were also selling skewers of ayu (sweetfish), chicken, and shrimp that you can enjoy with beer.
Props Shop
There was a props shop that sells Japanese characters, various Japanese ceramics, and small items.
It’s not large in scale— just a very small shop.Performance
Performance
At Nijimori Studio, performances or festival-like events aren’t held all the time— there’s a schedule for them.
If you’re curious about the events, I recommend checking the website in advance before you visit.
When I went, they were doing a Japanese enka performance, similar to Korean trot, and the singer was really good.
With people around wearing kimonos, the atmosphere felt even more lively.
Nijimori Studio Cats
There were 4 cats living at Nijimori Studio.
I clearly saw 4 of them, but I didn’t see the cheese-colored cat— instead, I saw a white cat that isn’t in the photos.
I saw cat No. 1, Morimori. It was so cute, but… when I looked closely, it was playing with a mouse. I almost fainted. I was so scared that I took the photo from a distance.
It was a real-life Tom and Jerry. I think it’s better to just admire the outdoor cats with your eyes only.
Cat No. 2, Ganji. Ganji was the cat at the cafe. It must have eaten a lot of snacks, because it was wearing a diet collar.
Cat No. 4, Oda, and No. 5? The white cat. All the cats were very gentle. It somehow felt like Nijimori Studio is the cats’ village, and people are just visiting as guests.
Tea Ceremony Experience
I didn’t try it myself. I just looked at the prepared setup and thought, “Oh, they have this too,” and only took some photos.
They say group reservations are available for parties of 10 or more.
If you want to do the tea ceremony experience, please note that you need to make a reservation by phone.
The price isn’t listed separately on the website, so you’ll probably need to inquire by phone.
Kimono Rental
At Nijimori Studio, there’s a Mori Dressing Room where you can rent kimonos.
The rental fee is ₩35,000 per person. Rental hours are from 11:00 to 21:00.
If you want to rent a kimono to create the atmosphere or take photos, paying for the package deal seems like a better deal.
Nijimori Studio in Summer (Photos)
Nijimori Studio in Winter (Photos)
Introduction to Ryokan Stay
at Nijimori Studio
Nijimori Studio actually felt like a place that mainly promotes the ryokan-style accommodation hotel.
I didn’t go into the lodging myself, but the prices seemed quite expensive. Honestly, my personal thought was, “At this price, wouldn’t it be better to just go to Japan later and experience a real ryokan?”
Still, there will be people who want to try the ryokan experience or stay overnight, so it would be good to refer to the price photos I posted above.
Welcome tea
In-room amenities
Yukata provided (You can wear it comfortably in the room)
Aino Card (Limited to staying guests, with benefits related to studio admission)
Free Japanese home-style breakfast Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Ryokan restaurant
The prices currently shown seem to be seasonal promotion rates, and they can get more expensive depending on the date. I recommend checking the official website once more for the specific date you plan to visit.
Visit Review & Rating
Space ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
It’s definitely a space where you can strongly feel the Japanese atmosphere. However, the scale is on the smaller side, so I was able to look around the entire place in about 30 minutes.
If you’re coming for atmosphere, cafes, photos, or healing → Recommended (It’s even better when there’s an event or festival.)
If you’re looking for lots of things to see or buy → Not recommended
Willingness to Revisit ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
I’ve already been twice, so I don’t think I’ll visit again while paying the admission fee.
But if you’ve never been before, I recommend it. It doesn’t feel Korean at all, so you can get a healing experience that feels like you’re traveling.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.
I’ll answer as best as I can!
I’ll be back with another review next time.
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