Learning to Make Omija Ferment in a Closed-School Classroom at Gongjeon Nature School in Jecheon
Gongjeon Nature School in Bongyang-eup, Jecheon, is an experiential and cultural space that reopened in 2013 in the former Gongjeon Elementary School, which closed in 1999. Visitors can try fermentation, natural dyeing, pottery, and woodworking, as well as explore the gallery. From Jecheon Station or Jecheon Bus Terminal, take bus 830 and walk for about 9 minutes.
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How the Former Gongjeon Elementary School, Closed in 1999, Became an Experiential Space in 2013
Gongjeon Nature School is an experiential and cultural space using the former Gongjeon Elementary School in Gongjeon-ri, Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. Gongjeon Elementary School once had more than 2,000 students, but it closed in 1999 due to rural depopulation, and the abandoned school building became the site it is today.
Principal Ahn Yeong-suk began operating Gongjeon Nature School in 2013 after leasing the school from the Jecheon Office of Education. At the time of a 2014 report, it was introduced as a space connected with the Jajak Cultural Arts Cooperative, created by 15 artists from Jecheon. Its location on the slopes of Bakdaljae also helps explain the site's focus on cultural and nature experiences.
Admission Fee Information and a Separate Fee for Experiences
The admission fee could not be confirmed in publicly available sources, and the experience fees require separate inquiry. Operating hours are 10:00–21:00, and the weekly closing day is Monday, so avoid planning a visit on Monday. For inquiries, call 043-645-6758. Official tourism information is available on the Jecheon City tourism website.
Published information lists enzyme-making, dyeing, pottery, art (sculpture), woodworking, and children's food experiences, but does not provide the latest prices or reservation requirements for each activity. Therefore, do not assume that the admission fee and paid experience fees are the same. If you are traveling specifically for an experience, it is safest to first call 043-645-6758 to ask whether the program is available.
An Enzyme-Making Experience Using Omija and Medicinal Herbs
The enzyme-making experience uses omija, acanthopanax, various fruits, Japanese plums, and assorted medicinal herbs. The experience does not end with preparing the ingredients; it is introduced as a class taught by Principal Ahn Yeong-suk, who has studied for many years how to make and store enzymes.
The enzyme-based natural meal is another food program at this location. The meal described in reports includes about 30 side dishes and uses enzymes made from omija, acanthopanax, angelica root, onions, and other ingredients. Since the explanation says that enzymes aged for 9–12 months are used instead of sugar, it is suitable for visitors who want to understand both the fermentation process and the use of local agricultural products, rather than simply have a meal.
How to Choose Dyeing, Pottery, and Woodworking at One Location
Official tourism information lists dyeing, pottery, art and sculpture, woodworking, and children's food programs. Since the options range from children's cooking experiences to hands-on crafts, it is best to decide which program you want before visiting.
The facility list includes Workshop Outing, Poet and Enzymes, and Tea Fragrance, and a gallery displaying works by various artists is also operated there. Enzyme sauna therapy was introduced in a 2016 report as a year-round experience, but the current fee and operating conditions could not be confirmed in public information, so separate inquiries must be made at 043-645-6758.
Traveling by Bus 830 from Jecheon Station and Jecheon Bus Terminal
If departing from Seoul Station, the recommended route is to travel to Jecheon Station, take Bus 830 at Bukseong Apartment Stop, and get off at Gongjeon Church Stop. The detailed walking time from Jecheon Station to the bus stop and the interval between Bus 830 departures are not included in public information, so allow enough time to check the bus schedule.
If coming from Seoul Express Bus Terminal, arrive at Jecheon Bus Terminal, take Bus 830 at the Intercity Bus Terminal–Woori Bank Stop, and get off at Gongjeon Church Stop. Gongjeon Nature School is a nine-minute walk from Gongjeon Church Stop. Visitors arriving by bus from Cheongju can travel via Jeungpyeong Intercity Bus Terminal and Jecheon Bus Terminal, then use the same Bus 830 route.
Driving to 345 Uiam-ro and On-Site Facilities
The address is 345 Uiam-ro, Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, and parking is available. From Seoul, the recommended route follows the Gyeongbu Expressway, Yeongdong Expressway, Gagok-ro, Bukbu-ro, and Uiam-ro. From Daejeon, the route follows the Gyeongbu Expressway, Tongyeong–Daejeon Expressway, Pyeongtaek–Jecheon Expressway, Bukbu-ro, and Uiam-ro.
From Busan, the recommended route follows the Daegu–Busan Expressway, Gyeongbu Expressway, Jungang Expressway, Bukbu-ro, and Uiam-ro. The number of available parking spaces and parking fees have not been made public. The site has separate men's and women's restrooms and Wi-Fi. According to Jecheon City tourism information, pets are not allowed.
Why Wheelchair Accessibility Information Differs
The barrier-free tourism information revised by the Korea Tourism Organization in 2025 states that there are no thresholds inside the attraction and that the access routes are wide, making entry by wheelchair and electric scooter easy. Ramps are also available, so this information indicates that facilities supporting entry into the building are provided.
Jecheon City tourism information states that wheelchair access is not possible, while the Korea Tourism Organization's barrier-free information states that there are no interior thresholds, wide access routes, and ramps. Wheelchair users should take the difference between the two sources into account and confirm the accessible areas of each experience room in advance by calling 043-645-6758. The availability of English guidance and audio guides, as well as whether photography is prohibited, could not be confirmed in public information.
A Jecheon Itinerary Combined with Nearby Bakdaljae Attractions
Gongjeon Nature School is located on the slopes of Bakdaljae, making it suitable to combine with nearby attractions rather than visit quickly as the only destination. Recommended nearby itineraries from Jecheon City include a walk at Bakdaljae Recreation Forest or Resom Forest, Baeron Holy Ground, and Taksajeong Pavilion. Since exact travel times to each location have not been made public, it is best not to try to combine one segment of Bus 830 with a walking itinerary too tightly on the same day.
For meals, options include muk rice at Muk Village, Gwangcheon-style buckwheat noodles at Midang Gwangcheon Makguksu, and cheonggukjang and mushroom tofu hot pot at Satto Garden. Other nearby restaurants listed in Jecheon City tourism information include Sanarae's freshwater-snail ssambap, Yeoldudalbapsang's cauldron-cooked medicinal-herb meal, and Wellbeing Wangmi Ssambap's stone-pot ssambap. The recommended visiting time for Gongjeon Nature School itself has not been made public.
Before You Go
- Address
- 345 Uiam-ro, Bongyang-eup, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
- Hours
- 10:00–21:00
- Closed
- Every Monday
- Admission
- Not confirmed in publicly available admission-fee information (ask separately about experience fees)
- Phone
- 043-645-6758
- Official site
- https://tour.jecheon.go.kr/
- Transport
- Take Bus 830, get off at Gongjeon Church Stop, and walk 9 minutes. Bus 830 is also available from Jecheon Station (Bukseong Apartment Stop)
- Parking
- Parking available
- Accessibility
- Jecheon City tourism information states that wheelchair access is not possible, while the Korea Tourism Organization's barrier-free information states that there are no interior thresholds, wide access routes, and ramps
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Bakdaljae Natural Recreation ForestA natural recreation forest where you can enjoy lush forest trails and奇岩怪石. -
2
Baeron Holy GroundA holy site where you can explore Catholic heritage and the history of the faith. -
3
Taksajeong PavilionA scenic attraction where you can enjoy the views of a clear valley stream, old pine trees, and a pavilion.
Food & Dining 3
-
4
-
5
Midang Gwangcheon MakguksuA restaurant serving Gwangcheon makguksu with fresh sprouts and a refreshing broth. -
6
Satto GardenA Korean restaurant serving cheonggukjang and tofu dishes made with traditional Korean fermented sauces.
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