Hwangwooji Coast’s Twelve Caves: How Far Can You See Today?

12 Japanese Military Artificial Tunnels Remaining Southwest of Sammaebong

Hwangwooji Coast Twelve Tunnels are located along the coast southwest of Sammaebong in Seohong-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Also called “Hwangwooji Cave” or “Twelve Tunnels,” they are 12 artificial tunnels built by the Japanese military during World War II to hide torpedo boats from American attacks.

This site is introduced as a place that shows the past of Japanese colonial rule and the scene of forced labor. In addition to its outstanding coastal scenery, it has historical preservation value, so it is best to understand that it is not merely a coastal viewpoint but also a wartime heritage site remaining along the southern coast of Jeju.

Tunnels Lined Up 15 m Apart with an H-Shaped Interior Structure

The twelve tunnels are arranged in a straight line, each about 15 m apart. The tunnels are described as approximately 3 m high, 3 to 4.5 m wide, and 10 to 30 m deep.

The tenth and eleventh tunnels are connected internally, forming a distinctive H-shaped structure. However, as of 2026, the stairs and coastal area are closed because of the risk of falling rocks, and no separate official guidance has been confirmed regarding whether visitors can actually enter the Twelve Tunnels.

As of 2026, Viewable Only from the Observatory and Jeju Olle Trail 7

As of 2026, the stairs leading down to Hwangwooji Coast and the coastal area are closed because of the risk of falling rocks. No reopening date has been set, and visitors must view Hwangwooji Coast from the observatory and the Jeju Olle Trail 7 walking path.

Do not enter beyond the control line or into the offshore waters. Nearby walking paths may also be restricted depending on the weather and on-site safety conditions, so do not assume that you can descend to the shore simply because tourism information says the site is “open year-round.”

• Swimming and snorkeling are currently not permitted.
• Entry beyond the control line and into the offshore waters is prohibited.
• The observatory and Jeju Olle Trail 7 walking path are the current viewing points.

A 5-Minute Walk from Oedolgae, Connected to Jeju Olle Trail 7

First-time visitors can use Oedolgae as their starting point. Hwangwooji Coast is introduced as being about a 5-minute walk from Oedolgae, and the coastal walking path around Oedolgae connects with the Jeju Olle Trail 7 walking path.

A route for viewing Hwangwooji Coast from Sammaebong while walking Jeju Olle Trail 7 is also provided. However, the recommended viewing time for the Twelve Tunnels itself could not be confirmed in published sources, and the information that Hwangwooji Coast is about 5 minutes from Oedolgae is based on a 2019 visitor review.

• Starting point: Oedolgae
• Oedolgae to Hwangwooji Coast: approximately 5 minutes on foot
• Connecting walking trail: Jeju Olle Trail 7
• Viewing points: the observatory and Jeju Olle Trail 7 walking path

Coastal Terrain with Black Basalt and Seonnyeotang

Hwangwooji Coast is a coastal landscape surrounded by black basalt. In the center of the gently curved bay is a rock island that resembles a pillar, and seawater flowing between the basalt creates scenery resembling a natural swimming pool.

Nearby Seonnyeotang was known as a snorkeling spot and was visited by summer vacationers, but as of 2026, swimming and snorkeling are prohibited. Therefore, scenes of water activities in old photos or reviews should not be interpreted as meaning that they are currently permitted.

Read the Free, Year-Round Access Information Alongside the Actual Restrictions

Public tourism information lists the hours as open year-round, with no admission fee and no regular closing days. Therefore, this is not a tourist attraction where visitors need to purchase a ticket at a separate ticket office, and admission is free.

However, year-round opening does not mean that access to the coast is permitted. Access to the stairs, coastal area, and swimming pool is restricted because of the risk of falling rocks. A May 14, 2025 review says that the Twelve Tunnels were closed, while a July 22, 2025 review says that the site was closed and could only be viewed from above.

• Hours: listed as open year-round
• Closing days: listed as open every day of the year
• Admission: free
• May 14, 2025 review: mentions that the Twelve Tunnels were closed
• July 22, 2025 review: mentions that they could only be viewed from above

Namseong-ro 93 Public Parking Lot and Accessibility Check

The road-name address in the tourist information is 93 Namseong-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Seohong-dong), and the administrative district listed in the official tourism information is Seohong-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The coordinates provided by the user are 33.241605° N, 126.550663° E, while the Visit Jeju Twelve Tunnels page displays 33.239151° N, 126.54786° E.

Use of a public parking lot is listed as available, but parking fees and the number of spaces could not be confirmed. Restrooms are listed as available, stroller rentals are not provided, and pets are listed as permitted. Visit Jeju marks the accessibility difficulty as “Very Difficult,” and reviews mention that the route toward Seonnyeotang consists of steep stairs.

• Address: 93 Namseong-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Seohong-dong)
• Parking: listed as public parking available
• Restrooms: listed as available
• Stroller rental: listed as unavailable
• Pets: listed as permitted
• Accessibility: “Very Difficult”

Contact Numbers and Information Gaps to Check Before Visiting

The Visit Jeju inquiry number for the Twelve Tunnels is 064-760-2773, and the inquiry number for Hwangwooji Coast is 064-760-4601. Seogwipo City’s Marine and Fisheries Division is also listed at 064-760-2773, and the Jeju Tourism Information Center can be reached at 064-740-6000.

The official website is the Visit Jeju Twelve Tunnels information page. The availability of English signs and an audio guide, whether photography is prohibited, whether payment is cash-only, bus route numbers and stop names, and the exact location, capacity, and fees of the parking lot could not be confirmed. If your purpose is to “enter the tunnels,” you should first consider the restriction that, as of 2026, only viewing from the observatory may be possible.

• Twelve Tunnels inquiries: 064-760-2773
• Hwangwooji Coast tourism site inquiries: 064-760-4601
• Jeju Tourism Information Center: 064-740-6000
• Official website: Visit Jeju Hwangwooji Coast Twelve Tunnels information page