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Take a Korean 50,000 won bill and a 5,000 won bill out of your wallet.
The two people printed on them are connected to one historic house in Gangneung: Ojukheon.
Shin Saimdang appears on Korea's 50,000 won banknote, while her son, Joseon scholar Yulgok Yi I, appears on the 5,000 won note.
Ojukheon is closely associated with both figures and is one of the oldest preserved traditional houses in Korea.
For international travelers, it is a surprisingly easy place to connect Korean history with something you may already be carrying in your wallet.
✅ QUICK ANSWER
Adult admission: ₩3,000
Teenagers: ₩2,000
Children: ₩1,000
Hours: 09:00–18:00
Last admission: 17:00
Recommended visit: About 1–1.5 hours
Parking: Free
Location: Gangneung, Gangwon State
📍 Where Is Ojukheon?
Ojukheon is located in Gangneung on Korea's east coast.
It is close enough to the city's other major attractions that you can easily include it in a half-day or full-day Gangneung itinerary.
📍 Ojukheon House
24 Yulgok-ro 3139beon-gil
Gangneung-si
Gangwon State
South Korea
24 Yulgok-ro 3139beon-gil
Gangneung-si
Gangwon State
South Korea
🗺️ Ojukheon Map
Use the map below to check the location. For detailed Korean public transportation, Naver Map or KakaoMap is usually more useful after you arrive in Korea.
🟩 Ojukheon at a Glance
🎟️ Adult: ₩3,000
🧑 Teenager: ₩2,000
🧒 Child: ₩1,000
🕘 Hours: 09:00–18:00
🎫 Last admission: 17:00
📅 Open: Year-round
🚗 Parking: Available
💳 Parking fee: Free
⏱️ Recommended visit: About 1 hour or longer
💡 Local Tip
Before entering, look at images of Korea's ₩5,000 and ₩50,000 banknotes. Knowing the faces first makes the visit much more interesting, especially if Korean history is unfamiliar to you.
💴 Why Ojukheon Is Connected to Korean Money
Two of the best-known people associated with Ojukheon also appear on Korean currency.
Shin Saimdang, a celebrated artist and historical figure, is portrayed on the ₩50,000 banknote.
Her son, Yulgok Yi I, one of the most influential Confucian scholars of the Joseon period, appears on the ₩5,000 banknote.
Yi I was born at Ojukheon, making the house an unusually tangible way for travelers to connect Korean money with Korean history.
🌏 Good Context for Foreign Visitors
You do not need to study Joseon history before visiting. Remember just two things: Shin Saimdang = ₩50,000, and Yulgok Yi I = ₩5,000. That is enough to make the site immediately memorable.
🏠 What Does “Ojukheon” Mean?
The name comes from ojuk, meaning black bamboo.
Black bamboo grew around the property, and it became one of the visual symbols associated with the house.
Even today, the bamboo provides a very different atmosphere from the open courtyards and wooden architecture.
⭐ 1. See the Historic Ojukheon House
The house was built during the early Joseon period.
It is considered one of Korea's oldest surviving traditional houses and was designated as a Treasure for its historical value.
Compared with huge royal palaces, Ojukheon feels much more intimate.
The scale helps you imagine the daily environment of an elite Joseon-era household rather than a royal ceremonial complex.
⭐ 2. Mongryongsil — Where Yi I Was Born
One of the most important spaces inside Ojukheon is Mongryongsil.
This room is traditionally identified as the birthplace of Yulgok Yi I.
Knowing that the person represented on the ₩5,000 note was born inside this small traditional house makes the scale of the site much easier to appreciate.
⭐ 3. Munseongsa Shrine
The complex also contains Munseongsa, a shrine dedicated to Yulgok Yi I.
It gives visitors more context about the respect later generations placed on his scholarship and legacy.
Remember that this remains a cultural and commemorative space, so keep voices low and avoid disrupting other visitors.
🖼️ 4. Visit the Yulgok Memorial Hall and Museum
Ojukheon is more than one historic building.
The wider complex includes the Yulgok Memorial Hall and the Gangneung Municipal Museum.
Displays include historical materials, artworks and objects that help explain the cultural setting of Gangneung and the people connected with Ojukheon.
⏱️ How Long Should You Spend?
The official tourism information suggests around one hour for a typical visit.
That is enough to see the main house, walk around the historic complex and visit some exhibition areas.
If you enjoy Korean history, architecture or photography, allow closer to 1.5 hours.
Simple Visit Route
1. Ojukheon historic house
2. Mongryongsil
3. Black bamboo area
4. Munseongsa
5. Yulgok Memorial Hall
6. Gangneung Municipal Museum
📷 Best Things to Photograph
The most obvious photo is the traditional house itself, but the black bamboo is equally important.
Try using the bamboo trunks to frame the tiled roofs and wooden buildings.
The contrast between dark bamboo, warm wood and green gardens creates images that look very different from Korea's large royal palaces.
📷 Fun Photo Idea
If you have a ₩5,000 or ₩50,000 banknote, photograph it carefully with the historic site in the background. Just make sure you do not block walking paths or other visitors.
🚆 How to Get to Ojukheon
If you arrive in Gangneung by KTX, Ojukheon is relatively easy to reach from Gangneung Station.
Local buses are available, but a taxi can be more convenient when you are trying to combine several Gangneung attractions in one day.
Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for current Korean bus and taxi routing.
🚕 Practical Tip
Gangneung attractions are spread across several areas. If you are traveling with two or more people, using a taxi for one or two short sections can save considerable waiting time.
🌊 What Is Nearby?
Ojukheon is close to the Gyeongpo area, so it works well as the cultural part of a Gangneung day.
You can visit the historic house first and then continue toward the lake or coast later in the day.
This gives you two very different sides of Gangneung: Joseon-era history and East Coast scenery.
🌸 Best Season to Visit
Ojukheon can be visited throughout the year.
Spring gives the gardens fresh color and comfortable walking temperatures.
Summer is greener, although afternoons can be hot and humid.
Autumn is particularly pleasant for combining the historic grounds with other outdoor Gangneung attractions.
Winter is colder, but the quieter grounds and traditional buildings can still be very atmospheric.
🎒 What to Bring
Ojukheon does not require hiking equipment.
Comfortable everyday walking shoes are enough.
During summer, bring water and sun protection.
In winter, Gangneung's coastal climate can feel cold and windy, so an extra outer layer is useful.
❓ BEST 3 QUESTIONS
1. How much is Ojukheon?
Current individual admission is ₩3,000 for adults, ₩2,000 for teenagers and ₩1,000 for children. Parking is free.
2. Why is Ojukheon famous?
It is an important early Joseon-era house closely connected with Shin Saimdang and her son Yulgok Yi I. Yi I was born here, and both figures appear on Korean banknotes.
3. Is Ojukheon worth visiting if I don't know Korean history?
Yes. The connection with Korean currency gives first-time international visitors an easy starting point, while the traditional architecture, bamboo and museum make the site enjoyable even without deep historical knowledge.
🌿 A Local's Final Advice
Ojukheon becomes much more interesting when you understand one simple connection before entering.
Look at Korea's ₩50,000 and ₩5,000 banknotes.
Then walk into the historic house connected with the people printed on them.
Suddenly, the faces on Korean money are no longer anonymous historical portraits.
They belong to real people, a real family and a real place you can still visit today.
If your Gangneung trip is mostly beaches and cafés, Ojukheon is an easy way to add Korean history without taking up the entire day.
🔗 Official Information
VISITKOREA — Ojukheon House
Official Korea Tourism Organization information
Gangneung Ojukheon & Municipal Museum
Official Gangneung website
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