There are more diverse ways to spend late autumn and winter on Jeju Island than you might think. While admiring the scenery of Hallasan Mountain or traveling along the coast is nice, tangerine picking is also a great option if you want to experience the island's seasons up close.
In November and December, orange fruits ripen amidst the deep green leaves in tangerine orchards throughout Jeju. The experience of personally inspecting and harvesting tangerines from the trees offers a pleasure distinct from purchasing packaged fruit at a supermarket.
Jeju tangerine picking is an interesting activity even for foreign travelers visiting Korea for the first time. This is because there are programs available that do not require special skills, and it allows participants to learn firsthand how Jeju Island's representative agricultural product is cultivated and harvested.
In particular, the tangerine harvesting experience is great to enjoy with family or friends, and you can combine it with nearby tourist attractions or accommodations to create a relaxed Jeju travel itinerary.
In this article, focusing on the tangerine picking experience at the Seogwipo Tangerine Museum and Yak Village operating in the winter of 2026, we introduce the best time to visit, reservation methods, necessary items, and nearby accommodations suitable for your travel itinerary.
Why Tangerine Picking in Winter Jeju Island Is Special
Jeju Island is Korea's representative tangerine producing region.
Jeju tangerines, commonly consumed in Korea, are fruits with peels that are relatively easy to remove and possess a sweet yet refreshing taste. Various varieties of citrus fruits are cultivated in Jeju, and the harvest season varies depending on the variety and cultivation method.
Since typical open-field Onshu tangerines are harvested mainly from autumn to winter, November and December are good times to plan a tangerine picking experience.
The tangerine picking experience is not limited to simply harvesting fruit. You can observe the tangerine trees growing, select ripe fruit, and experience the entire process of picking tangerines yourself by following the instructions provided by the farm.
The scenery of the tangerine orchards is also a unique charm of a winter trip to Jeju.
Since tangerine trees retain their green leaves even in winter, the orange fruit and green foliage create a vivid contrast. Depending on the farm, Jeju's distinctive stone walls or rural landscapes may also blend in harmoniously.
Especially for travelers who enjoy photography, you can capture photos of the scenery between trees laden with tangerines or the sight of harvested fruit being placed into baskets.
However, the tangerine orchard is an area where actual crops grow. Please refrain from forcefully pulling on branches for photos or picking tangerines outside the experience zone.
Where can I experience picking Jeju tangerines?
There are several farms and tourist facilities on Jeju Island where you can experience tangerine harvesting.
When choosing an experience center, it is recommended to check your travel itinerary, accommodation location, the amount of tangerines you can harvest, and whether advance reservations are required, rather than comparing prices alone.
In 2026, the Seogwipo Citrus Museum and Yak Village will operate a seasonal citrus harvest program.
Although both places are located in Seogwipo City, they differ in the experience methods and locations. If you want to simply experience tangerine harvesting, the Tangerine Museum might be a better fit, while Yak Village might be a better choice if you are planning to combine dining and relaxation.
Seogwipo Citrus Museum, a place to learn about citrus harvesting and Jeju culture together
The Seogwipo Citrus Museum is a public museum where you can explore the history and cultivation culture of Jeju tangerines.
It is located on Hyodon Circular Road in Seogwipo City, and there is a space where you can view not only exhibitions related to tangerines but also various types of citrus fruits.
During the tangerine harvest season, we operate a hands-on tangerine picking experience program at the museum's outdoor tangerine orchard.
The 2026 tangerine picking experience began on October 27 and is scheduled to end around December 23. However, it may end earlier than scheduled if all tangerines are harvested.
The experience fee is 5,000 won per person, and you are advised to take home about 1 kg of tangerines after harvesting them on-site.
The experience is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Morning admission is from 9:30 to 11:30, and afternoon admission is from 1:00 to 4:30.
Participants should pay the experience fee at the museum ticket office and then proceed to the experience area following the instructions.
The process includes safety training from staff and learning how to harvest tangerines, so even first-timers can learn the basics.
Preschool children must participate with a guardian, and children under 36 months can enter for free, but separate harvesting tools and envelopes are not provided.
One of the advantages of the Citrus Museum is that there is space to look around even after the experience.
If you visit the museum exhibition after the outdoor tangerine harvest, you can gain a deeper understanding of Jeju Island's tangerine cultivation history and local culture.
It is a place worth considering for those looking for a relatively simple tangerine harvesting experience or for families traveling with young children.
Visit Information
- Location: Seogwipo Citrus Museum
- Address: 441 Hyodon Sunhwan-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
- 2026 Experience Starts: October 27
- Scheduled to end: Around December 23, end early if tangerines run out.
- Experience Fee: 5,000 won per person
- Yield: Approx. 1 kg
- Application: On-site payment at the museum ticket office
- It is recommended to check the official website for operating status before visiting.
Come to Yak Village to Pick Tangerines: An experience to enjoy tangerine harvesting and a meal together.
If you would like to enjoy tangerine picking and a meal together, the 'Come Pick Tangerines 2026' program at Yak Village is also worth checking out.
Yak Village is a complex recreational facility located in Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo-si, equipped with accommodations, a restaurant, and a tangerine harvesting experience space.
The "Come Pick Tangerines" program, running from November to the end of December 2026, is an experience that combines tangerine harvesting with lunch and gifts.
According to the official announcement, a single ticket costs 39,000 won and includes one basket of harvested tangerines (approx. 3kg), one lunch, and one complimentary gift. Up to two people may enter together, but the meal and gift will be provided according to the purchased package configuration.
The ticket for two costs 60,000 won and includes one basket of tangerines, two meals, and two complimentary gifts. Please note that this product allows entry for up to four people.
The basic meal set features Jeju-style abalone seolleongtang provided by Dudo Restaurant, but the menu is subject to change depending on operational conditions.
You are instructed to book the experience by searching for 'Dudo Restaurant' on Naver and using the reservation menu.
This program is well-suited for travelers who want to enjoy meals and relaxation in addition to the activity of picking tangerines.
In particular, Yak Village also operates accommodations, making it a convenient option for travelers who wish to stay in the area for a day or so to enjoy sightseeing in Jungmun.
However, the tangerine picking experience voucher and accommodation reservation are separate products. Rather than assuming that the experience voucher is automatically included simply because you stay, you should check the benefits provided when making a reservation.
Visit Information
- Location: Yak Village, Jeju
- Address: 162 Saekdaljungang-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
- Operation Period: November – End of December 2026
- Single ticket: 39,000 won
- 2-person ticket: 60,000 won
- Program: Tangerine harvesting, lunch, free gift
- Reservation: Naver Dudo Restaurant Reservation
- You need to check the number of guests included and items provided for each product.
How will the tangerine picking experience proceed?
While the specific methods of the Jeju tangerine picking experience vary depending on the location, it generally proceeds by receiving safety instructions and then directly harvesting the fruit in a designated tangerine orchard.
It is a good idea to check the condition of the fruit before harvesting tangerines.
Look for tangerines with ripe, orange peels and check for any significant damage or blemishes on the surface. However, you cannot accurately determine the taste and sweetness based solely on the peel color.
When harvesting tangerines, people often use scissors provided by the farm.
If you pull the fruit too hard with your hands, the branch may be damaged or the citrus peel may tear. Therefore, please carefully cut the stem according to the instructions provided by the staff.
You can put the harvested tangerines in the designated basket or bag.
Since each experience site may have a set limit on the amount of tangerines you can take home, it is recommended to check the quantity provided rather than picking too many from the start.
While some farms allow visitors to taste tangerines on-site, not all experience centers offer free tastings.
You must check the operator's instructions before eating tangerines or harvesting additional ones.
Where would be a good place to stay near the Jeju tangerine picking experience?
If you include a Jeju tangerine picking experience in your travel itinerary, the region where you choose your accommodation is also important.
While it is common to visit multiple tourist attractions on a single trip to Jeju Island, the travel distances between them can be longer than expected.
Therefore, it is efficient to select a tangerine picking experience location first and then connect it with other tourist attractions and accommodations in the area.
If you are visiting the Seogwipo Citrus Museum, I recommend checking accommodations in downtown Seogwipo and the eastern coastal area first, and if you are visiting Yak Village, check out accommodations around the Jungmun Tourist Complex and Saekdal-dong first.
Recommended accommodations in Seogwipo for visitors to the Citrus Museum
If you are planning to visit the Seogwipo Citrus Museum, you might consider the Seogwipo KAL Hotel or Hotel Golden Daisy Seogwipo Ocean.
Seogwipo KAL Hotel is located on the southern coast of Seogwipo and is characterized by its spacious outdoor areas and ocean views.
This location is suitable for travelers who wish to explore Jeongbang Falls or the eastern coastal area of Seogwipo after experiencing the Citrus Museum.
On the other hand, Hotel Golden Daisy Seogwipo Ocean is located in the heart of downtown Seogwipo, making it a good option for travelers who want to enjoy traditional markets and city sightseeing in addition to the tangerine picking experience.
Although the two accommodations are not located right next to the Citrus Museum, they are worth comparing when traveling around the Seogwipo area.
If you are traveling without a rental car, it is recommended to check the public transportation or taxi route between the hotel and the Citrus Museum in advance.
Jungmun accommodations recommended for visitors to Yak Village
If you are planning a tangerine picking experience in Yak Village, you can first check out the accommodations in Yak Village operated by the same facility.
Since the experience center and accommodation facilities are located in the same complex, there is an advantage in that the movement flow can be simplified.
Yak Village accommodations are also listed on Trip.com, featuring various room types including suites and detached houses.
However, since the tangerine harvesting experience is a seasonal program, you must check the availability of both accommodation and the experience separately.
If you want to enjoy a relaxing vacation in the Jungmun Tourist Complex, Grand Josun Jeju is also worth considering.
Grand Josun Jeju is a resort-style hotel located in the Jungmun Tourist Complex, equipped with various amenities and facilities for family travelers.
This is a great choice for travelers who want to spend some relaxing time at tourist attractions and hotels in the Jungmun area after the tangerine harvesting experience at Yak Village.
Unless the experience center and accommodation are in the same building or complex, you must check the actual travel distance and transportation options.
How to plan a Jeju travel itinerary based on the experience locations
The Citrus Museum and Yak Village are both located in Seogwipo City, but they have different travel routes.
If you plan to travel centered around the Citrus Museum, you can consider an itinerary where you harvest tangerines in the morning, view the museum exhibits, and then move on to the eastern coast of Seogwipo or sightseeing spots in the city.
Jeongbang Falls and Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market are potential tourist destinations to visit before or after the experience.
On the other hand, if you travel centering your trip on Yak Village, spending a leisurely time at the Jungmun Tourist Complex after picking tangerines and having lunch suits the trip well.
The Jungmun area features various tourist attractions such as Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, Yeomiji Botanical Garden, and Jungmun Saekdal Beach, allowing travelers to customize their itineraries according to their preferences.
However, since the Yak Village program has designated times for meals and activities, you must adjust the order of visiting other tourist attractions to fit your reserved schedule.
While Jeju Island can be explored by public transportation, getting around may be inconvenient depending on the location of the activity venue and accommodation. If you are a foreign traveler who does not drive, it is recommended to check bus routes and taxi availability before booking your accommodation.
Useful items to prepare before a Jeju tangerine picking experience
Picking tangerines is not an activity that requires particularly complicated preparation.
However, since tangerine orchards are outdoor farms, you must consider an environment that is slightly different from typical tourist destinations.
The most important thing is comfortable shoes. Depending on the farm, you may walk on dirt paths or gravel trails, so stable sneakers are better than high-heeled shoes.
Clothing is also important.
Although winter temperatures on Jeju Island are relatively milder than in other parts of Korea, there are still days with strong winds. If you are planning outdoor activities in November or December, it is advisable to bring a windproof coat.
The farm floor may be slippery or muddy after rain. Experiences may be canceled or restricted during bad weather, so please check operation status before departure.
While scissors or baskets needed for harvesting tangerines are sometimes provided at the experience center, conditions are not the same everywhere.
If you are with children, it is recommended that a guardian assist them in using harvesting shears safely.
In addition, if you plan to take the harvested tangerines with you, you should also consider that your luggage will increase for the rest of your trip.
In particular, if foreign travelers plan to take harvested tangerines overseas, they must first check the fruit import and quarantine regulations of the destination country.
Why You Should Check Reservations and Operation Information Before Visiting
The Jeju tangerine picking experience is affected by the season and crop harvest conditions.
Even if the official operating period is announced, it may end earlier than scheduled if all tangerines are harvested.
Since the experience may be suspended due to rain or strong winds, it is recommended to check whether it is operating on the day of your visit.
In addition, the harvest included in the experience fee and the availability of tasting vary from farm to farm.
Especially if visiting with multiple people, you must check the quantity of tangerines included in the experience ticket and the number of people provided with meals separately.
Some online travel products offering Jeju tangerine picking experiences may have their bookings suspended depending on the season. Therefore, you should not assume that actual reservations are available simply because a product page exists.
It is a more reliable approach to first check the official experience locations and booking channels, and then select accommodation that fits your travel dates.
A special way to remember winter in Jeju Island
Winter in Jeju Island can be felt not only in the scenery of the seaside or mountains but also in the sight of rural villages where orange tangerines are ripening.
The experience of walking among tangerine trees, examining the fruit, and harvesting it yourself adds a new meaning to the fruit we commonly encounter.
There are places like the Citrus Museum where you can experience the history and harvest of citrus fruits, and there are also programs like the Yak Village that combine tangerine picking with dining and relaxation.
Which place is better depends on the purpose of the trip.
If you want a short and simple experience, the Citrus Museum might be a better fit, while if you want to plan a leisurely itinerary that includes meals and accommodation, the Yak Village might be a better choice.
If you visit Jeju Island in late autumn or winter of 2026, why not include a tangerine picking experience in your itinerary?
It will be a travel experience where you can personally encounter Jeju Island's representative agricultural products and feel the seasonal scenery of the harvest season up close.
