Guryeongpo is a small town on the east coast from which to change buses to get to the Homigot Sunrise Hand. If I wasnt going there I'd have no reason to visit Guryeongpo. However the town hides an interesting secret preserving a historical Japanese street, and shouldnt be overlooked as a tourist stop

Guryeonpo can easily be reached from Pohang and bus 200 runs frequently for only 1500w ($1.25) from the bus terminal and much of downtown. It is a small fishing town with an active marina busy with trawlers and fishermen. The main coastal road has a variety of fresh seafood restaurants.

The transfer bus to Homigot Sunrise Park runs every 70 mins leaving plenty of time to explore the small town. I had seen signs for a 'historical street' so decided to check it on the way back. Luckily I remembered instead of jumping back on the return bus to Pohang and discovered an interesting secret.

The town was once home to a Japanese settlement and many of the original homes remain and have been restored to make a historical tourist street.

At the northern end of the street is the Historical Museum. This is a Japanese style house of some prominent person and the rooms have interesting displays of typical Japanese daily life.

There are two floors to the house which has a thin outer corridor separated by sliding doors from the inner rooms.

There is no entrance fee so its easy to explore this historical building

Outside the street continues winding south hidden away from the main street outside. Its both surprising and remarkable that this legacy of Japanese occupation has remained despite the turbulent relationship it caused the two nations.

Perhaps being so remote the heritage was forgotten and saved from demolition over the years. Today it has been beautifully restored with many tea shops, restaurants, and colourful homes.

In the centre a large staircase leads to a hilltop temple overlooking the harbour

It can be an interesting place to wander while waiting for the connecting bus to the Homigot Sunrise Park and is easily reached from Pohang with regular buses to the centre.

Its rare to find any Japanese heritage in Korea and the only other place I've seen this is a Japanese Temple and some colonial buildings in Gunsan as well as old Incheon

Gunsan Japanese Temple
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ntries/londone7/1/1348493049/tpod.html

Gunsan Japanese Villa
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ntries/londone7/1/1348493238/tpod.html

Incheon Japanese colonial district
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ntries/londone7/1/1310761867/tpod.html