From the Seogwang Tea Fields to Tea Stone: A Route Through the Osulloc Tea Museum

Seogwang Tea Fields Cultivated in 1983 and the Tea Museum Opened in September 2001

Osulloc Tea Museum is located at 15 Sinhwa-yeoksagil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and is Korea's first tea museum, having opened in September 2001. It was established by Amorepacific to introduce and promote Korea's traditional tea culture, and the main building was designed with a teacup as its motif.

The Seogwang Tea Fields, which form the setting here, were originally land where crop cultivation was difficult because of the abundance of stones. Beginning in 1983, Osulloc cultivated this area over approximately 20 years. The company explains that clouds and mist formed by air passing over Hallasan provide natural shade, creating an environment favorable to the color of the tea leaves.

The Name “Osulloc” and the Main Building’s Reconstruction in 2023

“Osulloc” is introduced as a name combining seol (雪), meaning snow-covered Hallasan, rok (綠), meaning the green tea fields, and “oh,” an exclamation of admiration for the scenery. Rather than simply referring to a store selling tea, the name conveys the intention to present both the production process of Jeju’s tea fields and Korean tea culture.

The teacup-shaped main building was renovated in 2023 and redesigned to offer views of the green tea fields and the Gotjawal forest. Inside, visitors can explore the history of Korean tea and tea cultures from East and West. At the Tea Museum Roastery, they can also see tea leaves from Jeju’s tea fields being roasted and transformed into tea.

Free Admission from 09:00 to 18:00, Extended to 19:00 in Summer

According to the official information, the Tea Museum is open year-round from 09:00 to 18:00, with hours extended to 19:00 in summer. In weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow, opening may be delayed or closing may occur early, so visitors should check announcements on the official website before setting out, especially in winter or when a typhoon is approaching.

Admission to the Tea Museum is free. However, the Tea Stone tea course, Tea Cafe beverages, and meals at the Tea Terrace Matcha Noodle Bar are charged separately. Outside food and drinks cannot be brought into the museum or outdoor areas. Pets are also restricted from entering the museum.

• Main phone: 064-794-5312
• Official website: https://www.osulloc.com/
• Recommended stay: 60–90 minutes for the free exhibitions and tea-field walk alone; 2–3 hours with Tea Stone or a meal

11 Points Connecting the Tea Museum Roastery, Tea Cafe, and Mansu-gil

The official Jeju Osulloc map identifies the Seogwang Tea Fields, Tea Museum Roastery, product sales area, Tea Cafe, Tea Stone, Tea Stone Cellar, Tea Terrace Matcha Noodle Bar, Osulloc Farm, Mansu-gil and the camellia forest, outdoor lawn, and Innisfree Jeju House as the main points. For a short visit, it is efficient to prioritize a route linking the main-building exhibitions, roastery, Tea Cafe, and Seogwang Tea Fields.

Mansu-gil is a path lined with green tea plants and approximately 100 camellia trees. The official information notes that there is a photo zone where visitors can take pictures with the Seogwang Tea Fields and distant Hallasan in the background. Rather than entering cultivated areas inside the tea fields, visitors should use the designated viewing routes and walking paths.

Tea Stone Cellar Connected with Chusa Kim Jeong-hui’s Sehando

Tea Stone is a space for experiencing tea culture. The upper level features media art and a tea-time space centered on Chusa Kim Jeong-hui’s Sehando and Chusa script, while the lower-level Tea Stone Cellar contains a maturation area for Osulloc’s fermented tea, Samdayeon.

The premium tea course described by Visit Jeju consists of a 10-minute garden tour, a 20-minute tea-brewing session titled “The Story of Chusa and Jeju,” a 30-minute session featuring a tea cocktail made with Jeju ingredients and three types of garnish, and a 20-minute organic tea-roasting and packaging activity. The garden tour may be replaced by media-art viewing in severe weather. Since operating hours and reservation availability may change, calling ahead is advisable.

50 Minutes from Jeju Airport and 30 Minutes from Jungmun; Take a Bus to the “Osulloc” Stop

When traveling by car from Jeju International Airport or Jeju City, the official directions suggest a route of approximately 50 minutes via Pyeonghwa-ro Road 1135, Donggwang Yukgeori, and Sinhwa-yeoksagil. From the Jungmun Tourist Complex, the suggested route takes approximately 30 minutes via Road 1116, Donggwang Yukgeori, and Sinhwa-yeoksagil. From Hallim, a route of approximately 30 minutes via Jungsangan-ro Road 1132 is recommended.

By public transportation, visitors can take bus 150-1 or 255 from the airport or Jeju City Bus Terminal, transfer at Donggwang Transfer Center, and get off at “Osulloc.” From Seogwipo Bus Terminal, take bus 181 or 282 to Donggwang Transfer Center, then transfer to whichever service is operating among buses 771-1, 771-2, 784-1, 820-1, and 820-2. Get off at the “Osulloc” stop after passing NLCS Jeju.

• Parking: Available
• Tourist-area shuttle bus: Approximately 2 minutes after getting off at the Jeju Osulloc Tea Museum stop
• Address: 15 Sinhwa-yeoksagil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

Elevator Access to the Second-Floor Observatory; Assistance Needed for the Third-Floor Outdoor Observatory and Tea-Field Paths

According to a September 2023 survey by the Jeju Tourism Accessibility Information Center, the parking lot in front of the building has designated accessible parking spaces, and visitors can take an elevator to the museum’s second-floor observatory. The interior viewing route is described as accessible without steps or slopes, and accessible restrooms, a nursing room, a diaper-changing table, and tactile paving are also provided.

However, the third-floor outdoor observatory has a step, and the paths between the buildings include slopes. The Seogwang Tea Fields have an uneven surface, so wheelchair and stroller users should plan to receive assistance when visiting the outdoor observatory and walking through the tea fields. Guide dogs are listed as permitted, but ordinary pets are restricted from entering the museum.

A Half-Day Combining the Tea Terrace Matcha Noodles and Innisfree Jeju House

The Tea Terrace behind the main Tea Museum building is a matcha noodle bar set against the Gotjawal forest. The official introduction lists hot matcha noodles, chilled matcha noodles, matcha mixed noodles, boiled pork, and Jeju soybean-paste-and-meljaet sauce. If planning more than tea tasting, this space is therefore a good place to end the route.

Innisfree Jeju House on the grounds is a separate facility offering cosmetics made with Jeju ingredients and natural soap-making activities. Visitors can continue there on the same premises after touring Osulloc, but the activities are operated separately, so they should not be confused with free admission to the Tea Museum. During peak seasons and on weekends, it is advantageous to arrive immediately after opening or avoid meal times, taking into account possible waits at the cafe and dining areas.