[News Culture reporter Kwon Subin] If you’re craving a reset, coastal towns with sweeping sea views are having a moment as restorative escapes for weary city dwellers. An unobstructed horizon offers a freeing visual breath, delivering a different kind of comfort than the grounded calm of forests or mountain hikes.
Beyond the view, the dynamic interplay of waves and tidal flats and the pulsing energy of harbor life help wash away daily stress. Time spent in these vibrant, living landscapes refills the energy drained by tough city routines.
You don’t have to go far to sample the lure of marine tourism. From the 11th through the 13th, the 2026 Return-to-Fishing and Coastal Tourism Fair takes over the playground area of Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. Led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Fisheries and Harbor Corporation, the event brings together more than 30 organizations from across the country, packing the schedule with experiences designed to let city folks catch a whiff of sea-breeze romance right on the asphalt.
The festival offers a welcome pause from nonstop urban life while putting coastal towns back in the spotlight as fresh leisure destinations and places to recharge. By showcasing the sea’s calming, restorative effects, organizers hope to present coastal living in an approachable way and spark real tourism interest.
The fair is built around hands-on programs you can dive into right away—from gourmet booths highlighting local specialties to coastal “workation” tips that mirror today’s leisure trends. A standout feature is an evening relaxation lounge open until 8 p.m., designed with busy professionals in mind. Its guided meditation sessions combine tranquil scenery with the rhythmic lull of waves to calm brainwaves and usher in deep relaxation.
People instinctively turn to the sea because nature’s white noise and expansive sense of space have powerful healing effects. “Sea gazing”—clearing the mind and focusing on the sights and sounds—can ease anxiety and restore inner calm. Pair that with the joy of fresh, just-hailed seafood and the warm rhythms of local life, and coastal tourism offers an irresistible appeal you won’t find inland.
News Culture reporter Kwon Subin ppbn0101@nc.press
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