What time does the first sunrise of the new year happen?

Based on January 1, 2026: Ganjeolgot (Ulsan) at 07:31, Homigot (Pohang) at 07:32, Jeongdongjin (Gangneung) at 07:39, and Seoul around 07:47. Sunrise times shift by only about a minute a year, so January 1, 2027 will be nearly identical. Arrive about an hour early to allow for securing a spot and parking.

Where does the sun rise first on the Korean Peninsula?

On land, it is Ganjeolgot in Ulju County, Ulsan. On January 1, 2026 it rose at 07:31, eight minutes earlier than Jeongdongjin. But Jeongdongjin, reached by KTX on the Gangneung Line, is far more accessible from Seoul, so for travelers starting in the capital it is the de facto default.

How do I get to Jeongdongjin for the sunrise?

The usual route is KTX from Seoul to Gangneung, then a local train, bus or taxi toward the Bada Buchaegil area. In typical years, special late-night sunrise trains and bus packages run around the year-end holiday. Rooms in Gangneung and Jeongdongjin on the night of December 31 sell out early, so book by November to be safe.

Can I watch the sunrise in Seoul without traveling far?

Yes. Haneul Park, Namsan and Achasan are the classic Seoul sunrise spots, and in typical years they host New Year morning events. Sunrise in Seoul on January 1 is around 07:47, and you need an open view to the east — a high-rise observatory or a ridge line — to catch it over the horizon.

New Year Sunrise Spots in Korea: Jeongdongjin, Ganjeolgot and Homigot Times, Plus Getting There from Seoul (Jan 1, 2027)

The short answer

The sun rises first on land at Ganjeolgot (07:31), and the east-coast spot that's easiest to reach from Seoul is Jeongdongjin (07:39) (based on Jan 1, 2026; 2027 will be nearly identical).
From Seoul you really have three options — Jeongdongjin (KTX Gangneung Line), an overnight in Gangneung or Sokcho the night before, or a city sunrise in Seoul (Haneul Park, Namsan, around 07:47).
East-coast rooms and seats for the night of December 31 typically sell out by November or early December — getting in early is everything.

This one is for travelers planning a January 1, 2027 sunrise. Since sunrise times shift by only about a minute from year to year, I’ve based the numbers on the measured January 1, 2026 values. Year-end-only extras like sunrise festivals and special trains are not announced yet as of August 2026, so those are marked as typical years.

Where does the first sunrise of the new year happen?

On land, it’s Ganjeolgot in Ulsan. Here are the sunrise times at Korea’s main spots on January 1, 2026.

🌅 New Year sunrise times and accessibility compared (measured Jan 1, 2026 — 2027 nearly identical)

Spot	Area	Sunrise	From Seoul	Typical New Year events
Ganjeolgot	Ulju, Ulsan	07:31	KTX to Ulsan Station + car, 3 hr+ each way	Eve concert, drone light show, tteokguk (rice cake soup) sharing
Homigot	Pohang	07:32	KTX to Pohang Station + car, 3 hr+ each way	Homigot Sunrise Festival, New Year countdown
Jeongdongjin	Gangneung	07:39	KTX to Gangneung Station + transfer, about 2 hr 30 min each way	Sunrise events, bell at Hourglass Park
Gyeongpo & Jumunjin	Gangneung	07:39±	Near Gangneung Station	Beach alternatives that spread the crowds
Seoul (Haneul Park, Namsan, etc.)	Seoul	around 07:47	City transit only	District sunrise events (typical years)

Ganjeolgot and Homigot stage the biggest events, but a same-day round trip from Seoul is a stretch. For travelers starting in the capital, Jeongdongjin is the default, followed by an overnight stay or a city sunrise in Seoul.

Why Jeongdongjin?

True to its name — roughly "due east from Gwanghwamun in Seoul" — Jeongdongjin is the most accessible east-coast sunrise spot from the capital region. The station sits right on the beach, earning it the nickname sunrise station, and ever since the drama "Sandglass" it has been the poster child for New Year sunrises for nearly 30 years.

Jeongdongjin sunrise from Seoul: how to plan it

There are only two ways to do it — travel through the night, or sleep somewhere in the Gangneung area the night before. Leave Seoul on the morning of January 1 and you’ll never make a 07:39 sunrise.

Sunrise-planning checklist

Arrive an hour before sunrise — the area around Jeongdongjin Station and Hourglass Park is packed from the early hours in typical years
Lock in KTX seats and a room for the night of December 31 by November — year-end seats and rooms go weeks ahead
In typical years, special late-night sunrise trains and bus packages run over the year-end holiday — check Korail and tour operators' announcements in early December
Dress for the cold first — an east-coast beach before dawn on January 1 often feels below -10°C, and you'll be standing around for 30 minutes to an hour

If you’re staying the night before, the usual move is to sleep in Gangneung or Sokcho and head to Jeongdongjin or Gyeongpo before dawn. The entire east coast is peak season on December 31, so rather than insisting on a spot right at Jeongdongjin, it’s more realistic to widen the search to Gangneung or Sokcho proper.

🛏️ Base camp for the night before

Lotte Resort Sokcho

A beachfront resort in Sokcho. Stay the night of December 31 and drive toward Jeongdongjin or Gyeongpo before dawn — or simply catch the sunrise right from Sokcho Beach.

Check rates on Klook

Prices shown on Klook from around $174 as of August 2026. Rates for the night of December 31 run considerably higher.

If sunrise alone feels like a thin excuse for the trip, there are day-tour options that fill the daylight hours with Gangneung sightseeing (Jumunjin, the cafe street, Ojukheon and more) after the main event.

🚌 Daytime plans after the sunrise

Gangneung highlights day tour (Jumunjin included)

A route that loops Jumunjin and Gangneung's beach spots in a day. A good way to fill the hours after a New Year morning sunrise, or to tack onto a year-end stay in Gangneung.

Book on Klook

On sale as of August 2026. Confirm whether it runs on January 1 before booking.

📍 Open in Naver Map — Jeongdongjin Station

Staying in Seoul? City sunrise spots

Even in Seoul, the first sunrise of the year is yours around 07:47. Any hill, mountain or observatory with an open view to the east will show the sun breaking over the horizon, and in typical years several districts host their own sunrise events.

🌾

Haneul Park (Sky Park)

A wide-open eastern view from the silver-grass hill. A signature Seoul sunrise spot that hosts events in typical years. A 20–30 minute climb up the stairs.

🗼

Namsan (Jung-gu · Yongsan)

Watch the sunrise over the city from the Palgakjeong area. The easiest to reach — and, naturally, the busiest.

⛰️

Achasan (Gwangjin)

A gentle hill famous for sunrises over the Han River's eastern ridge. Doable without hiking boots.

📍 Open in Naver Map — Haneul Park

  The verdict: if the New Year sunrise is the whole point of the trip, an overnight in Gangneung or Sokcho + Jeongdongjin gives you the lowest failure rate. If your year-end schedule is tight, skip the punishing round trip and start the year with an easy city sunrise in Seoul (around 07:47). Either way it comes down to weather — if it's overcast the sun won't show anywhere, so make the final call after checking the forecast on the evening of December 31.

Sources

Regional sunrise-time reports for January 1, 2026 (Financial News and others, December 2025)
Ganjeolgot and Homigot sunrise event coverage (2025-26 year-end)
Korea Tourism Organization sunrise-spot guide / Klook tour and hotel prices (checked August 2026, subject to change)