A Spontaneous Visit to a Finnish Sauna in Gapyeong
5월 말, 남편이 갑자기 가평에 있는 핀란드 사우나에 가자고 제안했어요. 아침에는 아직 쌀쌀했기 때문에 사우나에서 따뜻하게 보내는 것이 좋을 것 같아서 저는 흔쾌히 “좋아, 가자!”라고 했답니다.
At the end of May, my husband suddenly suggested we visit a Finnish sauna in Gapyeong. The mornings were still a bit chilly, so the idea of warming up in a sauna sounded perfect. I happily agreed, saying, “Okay, let’s go!”
The place we chose was called Ha Ha Ha Pension — the name made me laugh immediately. Why is it called that? I’m not entirely sure, but I guess the owner wanted to create a cheerful atmosphere where guests could relax and have fun. And honestly, the name did set the tone perfectly! If you’re looking for a cozy sauna experience near Seoul to beat the lingering spring chill, Gapyeong’s Finnish saunas might just be the perfect getaway.
가는 길에 가평의 나무들이 크기도, 종류도 다양하다는 것을 알게 되었어요. 모두 다르지만 자연스럽게 어우러져서 보는 내내 참 좋았답니다.
On the way to the pension, I noticed the trees in Gapyeong were all different sizes and types. Each one was unique, yet they blended together naturally in a way that was really calming to see. The mix of tall pines, leafy maples, and other trees created a beautiful, peaceful scene that made the journey feel like a little escape into nature. Gapyeong’s forests are definitely a hidden gem for anyone looking to connect with the outdoors near Seoul.
가는 길에 경치가 너무 예뻐서 사진도 몇 장 찍었어요. 날씨가 정말 좋았고, 조금 따뜻한 느낌이 들었죠. 곧 많이 더워질 것 같아 이맘때 사우나에 가는 것이 조금 늦을지도 모르겠다는 생각이 들었어요.
I took a few more photos of the beautiful scenery along the way. The weather was really nice, with a gentle warmth starting to settle in.
Knowing it was going to get much warmer soon, I thought maybe this was one of the last chances to enjoy a cozy sauna before summer arrived. Gapyeong’s spring days like this are perfect for a peaceful getaway that mixes nature and wellness.
펜션 사진은 깜빡 잊고 못 찍었지만, 사우나 사진은 있어요. 사우나는 아주 깨끗하고 프라이빗했어요. 물론 사우나 안에는 음식을 가져갈 수 없죠. 찜질방 같은 공간이라 어떻게 음식을 먹겠어요? 사우나는 찜질방 같았지만, 경치가 정말 좋았답니다. 사우나 후에 밖에서 바비큐를 즐겼는데, 주변 산들이 경치를 더욱 아름답게 만들어줬어요. 말로 표현하기 힘든 아주 차분하고 편안하며 아늑한 느낌이었어요.
정말 좋았어요...
I forgot to take pictures of the pension itself, but I do have some shots of the sauna. It was very clean and private, giving a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Of course, no food is allowed inside the sauna — it’s like a steam room, so eating there wouldn’t make sense!
The sauna felt a bit like a traditional jjimjilbang, but with a great view that made the experience even better. After warming up in the sauna, we enjoyed a barbecue outside. The mountains surrounding the pension added to the beautiful scenery, making the whole experience calm, comfortable, and cozy — hard to put into words.
It was so good...
푹 잘 자고 일어나 커튼을 열었더니 아침 풍경이 펼쳐졌어요. 아침 안개가 산을 부드럽게 감싸 신비롭고 평화로운 분위기를 자아냈답니다.
안개 때문에 조금은 쓸쓸하지만, 동시에 신비롭고 몽환적인 느낌이었어요. 말로 표현하기 힘들지만, 산이 조용하고 마법 같은 모습으로 보였답니다.
가평의 자연은 마음을 차분하게 하고 감탄하게 만드는 힘이 있네요.
After a good night’s sleep, I woke up and opened the curtains to see the morning scenery. The soft morning fog gently covered the mountains, creating a peaceful and almost magical atmosphere. The fog made the view feel a little sad but also mysterious and dreamy. It’s hard to put into words, but it gave the mountains a quiet, enchanting presence that stayed with me long after.
Gapyeong’s nature really has a way of calming the mind and inspiring wonder.
아침에 조금씩 이슬비가 내렸어요. 짐을 싸서 떠날 준비를 했죠. 배가 고파서 근처에 있는 ‘Block 9’이라는 카페에 갔어요.
아직 이른 시간이라 빵은 구워져 있지 않았지만, 다른 메뉴를 선택했는데 커피가 정말 맛있었어요. 비 오는 가평 아침에 따뜻한 커피 한 잔은 딱 좋았답니다. 가평에 이른 시간에 가게 되면 ‘Block 9’은 편안히 쉬면서 좋은 커피를 즐길 수 있는 멋진 장소예요.
It was drizzling a bit that morning as I packed my bags and got ready to leave. Feeling hungry, we decided to visit a nearby cafe called Block 9. Since it was still early, there was no freshly baked bread available. So, I chose something else from the menu, and the coffee was really good — a perfect warm treat on a rainy morning in Gapyeong.
If you find yourself in Gapyeong early in the day, Block 9 is a lovely spot to relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
그리고 집으로 출발했어요. 갑작스러운 월요일 여행이었지만, 교통 체증도 없이 즐겁고 행복하게 한 주를 시작할 수 있었답니다.
때로는 이렇게 즉흥적으로 떠나는 가평 당일치기 여행이 마음과 몸을 새롭게 하는 데 꼭 필요한 시간이 되는 것 같아요.
Then, we set off for home. It was a sudden Monday trip, but it turned out to be a fun and happy way to start the week—without any traffic jams to slow us down. Sometimes, these spontaneous day trips to places like Gapyeong are exactly what’s needed to refresh the mind and body.
I fill my basket day by day. Thank you for being with me.
