Four Itchy Feet

August 31,2025. Busan, South Korea.

Today we decided to pamper ourselves at Spa Land, located inside the Shinsegae Centum City Mall in Busan, South Korea. This is not only the largest department store in the world but also home to one of the most famous luxury jjimjilbangs (Korean-style spas) in the country. While it’s a popular spot for locals, it also offers an experience unlike anything we’ve encountered before.

Admission for four hours was about $18 USD, giving us access to a sprawling world of relaxation. Spa Land is divided into two main sections. The co-ed zone features an impressive variety of themed sauna rooms, each designed with unique heating methods and atmospheres. Temperatures range from 45°C (113°F) to 75°C (167°F), depending on whether the room uses hot stones, steam, or radiant heat. Beyond the saunas, we discovered cold rooms, a light therapy room, a sound healing room, a hammocks room, and even a wave-dream room that mimics the rhythm of ocean tides. Rows of recliner chairs and nap lounges provide quiet corners to rest, while an outdoor terrace offers soothing foot baths, each pool labeled by its water temperature and mineral content.

By midday, we treated ourselves to a full-body massage, which was every bit as rejuvenating as promised. It was also affordable at $95 for 70 minutes.

Afterwards, we made our way to the bathing area, which is gender-specific and follows traditional Korean spa etiquette—clothing is not allowed. Here, we found a selection of indoor and outdoor pools, each with different temperatures and therapeutic water properties. The baths are fed by natural hot spring water drawn from deep underground, believed to promote circulation, soften the skin, and ease muscle tension. Alongside the baths are saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation zones, making it easy to spend hours drifting between warmth, coolness, and calm.

All in all, Spa Land is more than just a spa—it’s a cultural experience that combines modern luxury with Korea’s traditional bathhouse culture. You could easily spend the entire day here without ever feeling rushed.