Naksansa Temple & Shilloam Noodles: A Yangyang Half-Day Trip 2026

A Yangyang Adventure

Naksansa Temple and

Shilloam Buckwheat Noodles

Hey there, fellow explorers! ☀️

If you're planning a trip to Yangyang and want to soak in some ocean views while indulging in delicious local cuisine, I've got the perfect half-day itinerary for you.

We're talking about Naksansa Temple, a thousand-year-old Buddhist temple founded by Uisang Daesa during the Silla Kingdom, paired with the legendary Shilloam Buckwheat Noodles (Memil Guksu).

These two gems are just a 10-15 minute drive apart, making it incredibly convenient to explore Naksansa and then head over for a satisfying noodle feast, or vice versa.

Shilloam Buckwheat Noodles, in particular, is a place we almost always visit when we're in Yangyang during the summer. We've even waited for nearly two hours to get a table, and it's always worth it, believe me!

Today, I'm excited to share this fantastic combo: Naksansa Temple, perfect for a stroll along the East Sea, and our favorite buckwheat noodle spot.

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📍 Location: 100 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

🕧 Hours: 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM (Last admission 5:30 PM)

💰 Admission: Free

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🅿️ Parking Fee: ~$3

For parking at Naksansa, you generally have two main options: the main gate area or the Uisangdae area. The daily parking fee is ~$3.

We usually park at the Uisangdae parking lot, which gives us easy access to Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongnyeonam Hermitage. We skipped the climb up to the Sea Goddess Statue this time.

If you want to explore the entire temple grounds starting from the main gate (Hongyemun Gate), the main gate parking lot is your best bet.

There are also free parking options at Naksan Beach Parking Lot and Naksan Port Parking Lot.

Looking back at the photos, even though the weather was cloudy that day, the scenery was absolutely stunning with the temple nestled right by the sea.

Uisangdae Pavilion is a monument commemorating the spot where Uisang Daesa practiced his asceticism when he founded Naksansa Temple. Perched on a cliff overlooking the East Sea, it's considered one of Naksansa's most iconic viewpoints.

While a clear, blue sea is always lovely, a cloudy day offered its own unique, tranquil atmosphere.

From Uisangdae, a short walk along the coast leads you to Hongnyeonam Hermitage.

This hermitage is built on a cliff right by the sea, at the very spot where Uisang Daesa is said to have encountered the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. It's one of Naksansa's most famous and picturesque spots.

Hongnyeonam feels almost attached to the cliffside, offering continuous views of the East Sea as you approach. It felt less like a temple visit and more like a serene coastal stroll.

This area truly left the strongest impression on me during my Naksansa visit.

Although there are some stairs to navigate, the picturesque views of the sea unfolding between the rocks and pine trees made it a delightful place to explore at a leisurely pace.

And you absolutely can't miss **Gwaneumji (Gwaneum Pond)**.

Its atmosphere is quite different from the rugged coastal scenery around Hongnyeonam.

The pond, stone walls, and temple buildings blend harmoniously, creating a peaceful spot perfect for a quiet moment during your walk through the temple grounds.

Finally, one of Naksansa's most iconic sights is the towering Sea Goddess Statue (Haesu Gwaneumsang) located on a high point.

We didn't make it up there this time. After exploring Uisangdae and Hongnyeonam, we were quite tired and decided to skip the additional climb. We'll definitely aim to visit it on our next trip!

📍 Location: 17 Jangsan 3-gil, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

🕒 Hours: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) | 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM (Sat, Sun), Closed every Wednesday

💰 Price Range: Bibim Memil Guksu ~$8 | Dongchimi Memil Guksu ~$8 | Boiled Pork ~$24

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🅿️ Parking: Dedicated parking lot available

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Shilloam Buckwheat Noodles is only about a 10-minute drive from Naksansa Temple, making it a perfect addition to your itinerary.

For us, this isn't just 'a restaurant we found in Yangyang.' It's a family favorite!

My family and I almost always make a stop here when we visit Yangyang in the summer. We genuinely love it!

This last time, we waited for an hour to eat. Considering we've waited two hours before, this was a breeze!

It was cloudy at Naksansa, and then it suddenly started raining heavily, so we waited in the car.

We ordered the Bibim Memil Guksu (Spicy Mixed Buckwheat Noodles) and the Boiled Pork.

The Bibim Memil Guksu comes loaded with a savory sauce, cucumbers, seaweed, and sesame seeds, and you can enjoy it with the refreshing Dongchimi (radish kimchi broth) served on the side.

And when I come here, I always love to pair my noodles with the Boiled Pork.

As you can see in the picture, the pork is sliced quite thick and served with a seasoned vegetable salad. Adding the pork makes for a truly hearty and satisfying meal, more than just the noodles alone.

Honestly, after waiting for an hour, you'd think we'd consider trying somewhere else next time, but we always find ourselves craving it again when we're in Yangyang!

Just a heads-up: during peak hours, you might experience a long wait like we did. If your schedule is tight, consider visiting during off-peak times to avoid the crowds.

If you're looking for a fantastic half-day itinerary in Yangyang, you can't go wrong with a scenic stroll at Naksansa Temple along the East Sea, followed by a delicious meal at Shilloam Buckwheat Noodles, just a 10-minute drive away. It's the perfect combination! 😊