Bijarim Forest Jeju: Tickets, Tips & Why It's Even Better in the Rain
I walked through Bijarim Forest on a drizzly day. The forest felt deeper and quieter than usual — the greens were more vivid, the air smelled of damp earth and leaves, and in the height of summer, there was a scent I didn't expect at all. Here's why a rainy day at Bijarim might actually be the better visit for your Jeju itinerary.
Jeju Island has no shortage of beautiful forests — Saryeoni Forest Road, Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest, and Gyorae Natural Recreation Forest are all famous. But the one I keep coming back to is Bijarim. Located in Pyeongdae-ri, Gujwa-eup, it's home to around 10,000 bija trees (Japanese nutmeg-yew), many of them hundreds of years old. The entire grove is a designated Natural Monument — making it one of the largest single-species bija tree forests in Korea.
It's beautiful on a clear day. But on the drizzly morning I visited, the forest felt entirely different — deeper, quieter, and more itself.
Admission & Hours — What to Know Before You Go
| 📍 Address | 55 Bijasup-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, South Korea |
|---|---|
| 🕖 Hours | 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:00) |
| 💰 Admission | Adults: ₩3,000 / Youth & Children: ₩1,500 Groups (10+): Adults ₩2,500 / Youth & Children ₩1,000 |
| 🚗 Parking | Free (Large on-site parking lot) |
Free Forest Guide Program — Worth Timing Your Visit For
Bijarim offers a free guided forest walk, departing up to 19 times a day between 9:10 AM and 2:30 PM. Walking with a local guide brings the history of the ancient trees to life in a way that's easy to miss when exploring on your own.
One important note for international travelers: the guided tours are currently conducted in Korean only. I asked the staff during my visit, and unfortunately, English-language tours are not available at this time. That said, joining the group is still a lovely way to pace your walk and experience the forest slower, even if you don't catch every historical detail.
Rain-Soaked Greens — A Different Forest Entirely
The first thing that struck me when stepping into the woods was the sheer intensity of the color. Bijarim is always lush, but in the rain, the leaves looked as if they'd just been polished — incredibly vivid and almost luminous. Combined with the soft patter of drizzle hitting the high canopy, the earthy scent of wet soil, and the still air, the entire ecosystem felt beautifully concentrated.
The bija tree (Japanese nutmeg-yew) is a rare evergreen conifer native primarily to Jeju Island and select southern patches of the Korean peninsula. Historically, its seeds were highly valued; they were pressed for premium cooking oil or used as traditional medicine to treat parasites. The sturdy timber was also prized as the ultimate material for high-end Go boards (Baduk). In the local Jeju dialect, it's called bijang or bijojang. The needles are flat and slightly prickly to the touch, releasing a distinctively crisp, cooling phytoncide aroma when crushed.
A peaceful walk through Bijarim — what the forest actually looks and sounds like in the rain
My Favourite Tree — No Sign, No Name
Most visitors rush to see the famous landmarks like the Millennium Bija Tree or the Yeonriji. But there's one specific tree where I always stop first, well before reaching the main sights. It features no plaque, no descriptive marker, and absolutely nothing to tell you it's special. Yet, standing before it, you can truly feel the ancient weight of the forest. Its massive branches spread wide in every direction like a quiet guardian. In the mist, it looked beautifully grounded and timeless.
The Millennium Bija Tree & Yeonriji — The Forest's Famous Two
From the central signpost deep within the woods, both famous landmarks sit 310 meters along the left path. You will reach the grand Millennium Bija Tree first, followed shortly after by the unique Yeonriji tree.
Before you head down that path, here is an essential safety note: a highly toxic plant named Arisaema (천남성) grows abundantly in the shaded soil of the forest floor. It features broad, glossy green leaves that look completely harmless, but it is deeply poisonous. Do not touch or handle it. If you are exploring Jeju with kids, make sure to point it out ahead of time.
The Millennium Bija Tree
People stopping for photos in the drizzle
The official stone plaque marking the tree
The Millennium Bija Tree was officially named on January 1, 2000, to celebrate the turn of the new millennium. Sprouting way back in 1189 AD during the historic Goryeo Dynasty, this ancient giant is now over 835 years old. It towers 14 meters high, and its trunk is so wide that it requires four adults holding hands to fully encircle it. Standing next to the single largest tree in the entire reserve is a deeply humbling experience.
The Yeonriji — The Love Tree
Yeonriji (연리지) describes a rare natural phenomenon where two distinct tree trunks or roots grow so close together that they fuse completely into one body. Long viewed as a romantic symbol of true love and destiny in traditional Korean lore, Bijarim's version is highly unique because the fusion starts right from the bottom base, growing harmoniously upward. It's no surprise that couples spend the most time here taking memories.
A Scent Only Summer Can Bring
One of my favorite elements of Bijarim is the distinctive fragrance. The air within the reserve always feels exceptionally clean, crisp, and rich with mossy undertones. However, if you visit during summer, you are treated to something truly magical.
The first time I encountered it, I legitimately thought a traveler nearby was wearing an incredibly sophisticated, luxury perfume. The scent was that defined and mesmerizing. It turned out to be the aroma of unripe, green bija fruits that fell from the high branches during summer monsoon winds. As visitors walk down the trail, they naturally step on these small oval fruits. Crushing them underfoot releases a highly concentrated, sweet, and vibrantly green scent into the humid summer air. It is a sensory memory I immediately recall whenever I think of Jeju in the summer.
One Thing Most Visitors Miss — The Shoe Wash Station
Walking the natural paths during a gentle drizzle inevitably means tracking some volcanic clay or mud on your footwear. Most travelers rush directly out toward the parking lot, missing a highly useful free facility right at the exit.
It's on your left just outside the ticket gate
A clean tap and brush to wash off red clay mud
Just past the ticket booth as you walk toward the exit path, look to your left. There is a small dedicated foot and shoe wash station. They provide clean running water taps and heavy-duty scrubbing brushes — exactly what you need to easily clean up your boots before hopping back inside your rental car.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Bijarim in the Rain
Bijarim Forest isn't a flashy, highly commercial tourist trap. You won't find a panoramic observatory deck, an instagrammable café inside, or high-energy entertainment. It is simply a preserved, raw ancient forest — but it's a destination that leaves a profound mark on you if you take the time to walk it slowly.
On a rainy day especially, with the crowds thinned out and the green tones naturally amplified, it offers an incredible sense of stillness that is increasingly rare to find elsewhere on Jeju Island. If weather forecasts predict rain during your upcoming trip to Jeju, don't stay cooped up indoors. Pack your favorite rain poncho and make your way here. The ancient woods are waiting for you.
📸 All travel photos within this article were captured by me on location.