Just There for Tea Field Photos? Osulloc's Museum Has More to Offer
Scroll through an Instagram feed about Jeju long enough, and you're bound to run into a certain scene at least once — a photo taken in front of a building with a gently curved roof, set against a backdrop of green tea fields. That's Osulloc Tea Museum, known to be located in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo. Run by the tea brand Osulloc, this space is often introduced simply as a 'tea field photo spot,' but it's actually said to be a combined space that includes an exhibition hall built around tea culture and a cafe as well. Today, let's go one step beyond the photo-spot reputation and take a closer look at what the museum itself is like.
The Building Is Said to Sit Right in the Middle of the Tea Fields
Osulloc Tea Museum is said to sit right in the middle of a wide tea field in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo. The story of how Jeju's tea fields came to be has already been covered elsewhere, so let's keep that part brief today. Tea fields are said to be found across the island's midland areas thanks to volcanic ash soil and a mild climate, and Osulloc Tea Museum is said to stand out in particular for being a building built right against the backdrop of the tea fields in Andeok-myeon.
The building's own shape is also worth a closer look. Rather than sharp, angular lines, it's said to have been built with a softly flowing curved roof, and that curve is said to bring to mind the way tea leaves slowly unfurl when steeped, or the smooth lines of traditional teaware. Step inside, and the tea fields are said to spread out right through the floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the sense that the indoor space stays connected to the scenery outside. Head up to the rooftop or a terrace, and the whole tea field is said to come into view at once — a sight some visitors are said to make a point of seeking out.
The Exhibition Hall Is Said to Hold Plenty Related to Tea Culture
What's said to set Osulloc Tea Museum apart from other photo spots is that it's not just about places to take pictures — there's also an exhibition space where you can take your time looking into the story of tea. Inside, old teaware and teacups are said to be on display alongside items tied to tea culture, along with materials introducing how the way people drink tea has changed across different eras. There's also said to be a section covering tea culture from various countries around the world, so the museum seems designed to offer a broader story about tea as a drink — not just Jeju green tea alone.
Walking slowly through the exhibition hall, you're said to come across a tasting area along the way where you can brew and try tea for yourself. Taking in the exhibits with your eyes and then finishing with scent and taste is said to make this less a place you simply pass through and more one where you experience tea culture with all your senses. The inside of the exhibition hall is generally said to be kept calm and quiet, which is also said to make it a comfortable place to take your time and capture a few photos.
It felt like too good a place to just snap a photo of the tea fields and turn around. Once I stepped inside, I realized just how much story a single cup of tea could hold.
— 🍊 GYULIA Cafe and Photo Spots Have Also Made It a Popular Place for Photos
After going through the exhibition hall, you're said to be able to take a break at the cafe right next door. Drinks and desserts made with green tea are said to be available, ranging from familiar items like green tea lattes and green tea ice cream to desserts that are said to change with the season. Sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and you're said to be able to take in the tea field view from inside the cafe as well, so it's often introduced as a place where you can soak up the tea field atmosphere without even having to step back outside.
One reason Osulloc Tea Museum is said to come up so often as an Instagram photo spot is that the composition of the building's exterior together with the tea fields is widely said to make for an especially striking shot. The front of the building, where the curved roof meets the floor-to-ceiling windows, along with the walking path running between the rows of tea bushes, are said to be the go-to spots for photos. Depending on the season or time of day, the direction the light comes in is said to change, so even the same spot is said to yield a different feel from one visit to the next.
GYULI's Tip · Details like the exact admission fee, operating hours, or exhibit lineup can shift depending on the season, so I'd rather be careful about stating them flatly here. It's worth checking the latest information once more before you go. If you'd like to avoid the busier hours, visiting in the early morning is said to be one way to do it.
If you'd only known this as a quick stop for a tea field photo, it's worth taking your time to explore the exhibition hall as well this time. Follow the path from the tea culture exhibits through the tasting area and into the cafe, and Osulloc Tea Museum is likely to feel a little different than it did in photos alone. If you've got a trip planned around Andeok-myeon, it's worth pairing that tea field photo with a look inside the museum too.