Five Wartime Tunnels Framing Mangsan: Geunpo Village, Geoje
The Geunpo Village tunnels in Nambu-myeon, southern Geoje, are military facilities from the Japanese colonial period that remain along a seaside cliff. Five tunnels, each 30–50 meters long, are connected here. The site can be explored briefly free of charge, but as it is not a commercial tourist facility, it is best to consider parking, pedestrian safety, and busy periods when visiting.
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The Five Tunnels Dug by the Japanese Army in Geunpo Village in 1941
The Geunpo Village Tunnels are artificial tunnels remaining along the coast behind Geunpo Village in Nambumyeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. Geoje City tourism information explains that there are five tunnels by the shore, each 30–50 m long and approximately 5 m high. Although they are now known as a popular photography spot, the starting point for understanding this site is that these are traces of wartime military activity, not naturally formed sea caves.
According to a report by the Geoje Shinmun, the Japanese army dug several tunnels near the port of Geunpo Village in 1941 to hide weapons intended for shooting down U.S. military aircraft. Therefore, standing at the cave entrance facing the sea is not merely an experience of admiring the scenery; it also means recognizing that the southern coast of Geoje was a space of surveillance and defense during the Pacific War.
- Number of tunnels: 5
- Length of each tunnel: approximately 30–50 m
- Height of each tunnel: approximately 5 m
- Period associated with their construction: 1941
- Nature: traces of a military facility from the Japanese colonial period
From 71 Geunpo 1-gil to the Coastal Tunnels: Search for “Geunpo Village Tunnels” Rather Than the Address
The address is 71 Geunpo 1-gil, Nambumyeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and the listed coordinates are 34.720447° N, 128.586260° E. Geoje Tourism and Culture advises visitors to search for “Geunpo Village Tunnels” as the destination in their navigation system. Since the road continues into the village, the point shown when entering only the address may differ from the actual route to the coast.
The Geoje Tourist Information Center can be contacted at 055-639-4178. Since this is not a paid facility with a separate ticket office or visitor center, admission is free, and official tourism information does not provide separate operating hours or regular closing days. However, because the safety of walking along the coast and moving inside the tunnels is difficult to ensure after sunset, visiting before sunset is the practical choice.
- Address: 71 Geunpo 1-gil, Nambumyeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Coordinates: 34.720447, 128.586260
- Tourism inquiries: Geoje Tourist Information Center, 055-639-4178
- Admission: Free
- Reservations: No separate reservation information available
- Official information: Geunpo Village Tunnels page on Geoje Tourism and Culture
About 250 m Behind the Geunpo Village Hall Parking Area: A Route You May Miss If You Imagine a Flat Walk
Local introduction materials state that the tunnels are approximately 250 m from the parking area in front of Geunpo Village Hall. Other visitor accounts say that they followed the signs and walked uphill for about 10 minutes. The distance varies depending on the starting point and parking location, but if you expect a flat walking path simply because the distance is short, the stairs, slopes, and unpaved sections may make the route feel more demanding.
No official bus stop or route information sufficient to establish a public-transport timetable with certainty was found. Geoje Tourism and Culture also provides this location separately through its “public transportation directions” feature, so visitors arriving by bus should check route-search results and the last bus on the day of departure. Arriving near Geunpo Village Hall by rental car or taxi and then approaching on foot is simpler for managing the route.
- Parking reference point: Introduced as the parking area in front of Geunpo Village Hall
- Walking distance: Introduced as approximately 250 m
- Reported walking experience: About 10 minutes of uphill walking after the signs
- Recommended time: 30–60 minutes, including photography
- Public transportation: Check same-day directions through the official tourism page
The Twin Caves on the Left with a View of Mangsan and the “Cave Frame” Composition
The description of an official Geoje City information photograph states that twin caves are on the left and that the mountain visible in the distance on the right is the summit of Mangsan. A popular composition at the Geunpo Tunnels places the dark cave entrance in the foreground and captures the sea and mountain ridges outside. The main attraction here is not deep exploration inside the tunnels, but the contrast between the entrance opening toward the coast and the scenery beyond.
Because the narrow entrance is shared by several people for photography, tripods and prolonged occupation of the space can obstruct other visitors. A 2022 report mentioned that gravel had been laid on the interior floor following an increase in tourists. The floor has not been maintained like a flat indoor exhibition hall, so slip-resistant soles, a phone with a flashlight function, and a light outer layer to block the wind are useful.
- Viewpoint clue in the official information: Twin caves on the left, Mangsan summit on the right
- Main photographic elements: Contrast between the dark cave entrance and the sea and mountains
- Floor condition: Cases of gravel being laid have been reported
- What to bring: Slip-resistant shoes, phone light, light outer layer
- Photography etiquette: Avoid occupying the entrance for a long time or blocking passage
Why You Should Arrive Before Sunset and How to Decide About Visiting on a Rainy Day
Travel reviews and video titles frequently mention the Geunpo Village Tunnels around sunset. However, the interior of the tunnels and the coastal path quickly become dim, so even if photography is your goal, it is safer to identify the route and tunnel locations during the day and remain until around sunset rather than arriving just before sunset. You should also consider that this is unlikely to be a tourist facility with staff stationed on site.
On rainy days or when waves are high, rock and gravel surfaces may become slippery, so postponing a visit is the better decision even if photography is the purpose. Visitors using strollers or wheelchairs may find independent movement difficult because of the slope, gravel, and tunnel floor along the coastal access route. Since no official information about foreign-language on-site guidance or accessible facilities was confirmed, it is safer to arrange assistance from companions and prepare a translation app.
- Recommended arrival approach: Check the route before sunset, then take photographs
- Conditions to avoid: Rain, strong winds, high waves, and traveling alone after sunset
- Strollers and wheelchairs: Difficult to use because of sloped and gravel sections
- Foreign-language guidance: Availability on site has not been confirmed
- Safety principle: Do not approach the edges of the tunnels or wet rocks
A Half-Day Itinerary Along the Nambumyeon Coast with Windy Hill and Sinseondae
The Geunpo Tunnels are suitable as one stop on a Nambumyeon coastal trip because the sightseeing route itself is not long. A 2026 field-trip schedule from a school in the Geoje area also included the Hanwha Ocean Panorama Cable Car, Windy Hill, Haegeumgang, and the Geunpo Village Tunnels on the same first-day itinerary. This is an example of the Geunpo Tunnels being used as a brief stop linking the Nambumyeon and Haegeumgang areas.
If traveling by car, it is advisable to allow 30–60 minutes for photography at the Geunpo Village Tunnels and then depart according to the parking and closing times at the next destination. Conversely, this site may not suit travelers expecting historical interpretation inside the tunnels, exhibitions, restrooms, or shops. It is better suited to an itinerary involving a free coastal walk, photography, and a brief look at traces of the 1941 military facility.
- Area suitable for combining with the visit: Windy Hill, Haegeumgang, and the Nambumyeon coast
- Recommended itinerary format: Half-day driving route
- Suggested time at the Geunpo Tunnels: 30–60 minutes
- Suitable travel purposes: Coastal photography, a short walk, and viewing historical traces
- May not suit: Travelers seeking indoor exhibitions, permanent amenities, or a lengthy experience
Before You Go
- Address
- 71 Geunpo 1-gil, Nambumyeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- Geoje Tourist Information Center, 055-639-4178
- Official site
- https://tour.geoje.go.kr/index.geoje?menuCd=DOM_000008911003006005
- Transport
- Public transportation directions to “Geunpo Village Tunnels” are provided on the Geoje Tourism and Culture page. A definitive stop or bus number could not be confirmed.
- Parking
- A parking area in front of Geunpo Village Hall is listed. Fees and the number of parking spaces could not be confirmed.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes, including photography
- Accessibility
- Independent wheelchair or stroller access may be difficult because of the slope, gravel, and tunnel floor along the coastal access route. Foreign-language on-site guidance could not be confirmed.
The information above is based on the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
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