Ojukheon is a Joseon-era aristocratic house in Gangneung, on Korea's east coast, best known as the place where the artist Shin Saimdang gave birth to her son, the great scholar Yulgok Yi I. Its name comes from the black bamboo ("ojuk") growing behind the house, and the main hall — one of Korea's oldest surviving wooden residential buildings — was designated Treasure No. 165 in 1963. Because Shin Saimdang appears on the 50,000-won note and Yi I on the 5,000-won note, the site is also famous as the home of two figures on Korean banknotes.
Mongnyongsil, the room where Yulgok Yi I was born after his mother dreamed of a black dragon
The main Ojukheon hall (Treasure No. 165), an early wooden building marking the shift from jusimpo to ikgong bracket styles
Its rare status as birthplace of both figures on the 50,000-won (Shin Saimdang) and 5,000-won (Yi I) banknotes
Munseongsa shrine holding Yulgok's portrait, plus Eojegak, the Yulgok Memorial Hall, and the Gangneung Municipal Museum on the grounds
The natural-monument plum tree "Yulgokmae," said to have been tended by the family, and the grove of black bamboo in the garden
Good to know
RulesInteriors of the wooden heritage buildings, including the main hall and Mongnyongsil, are protected — access is restricted and you must follow the marked viewing route and barriers.
MannersMunseongsa enshrines Yulgok's portrait and is a ceremonial space, so keep quiet and respect any photography or flash restrictions posted in the indoor exhibition halls.
RulesThe black bamboo and the protected Yulgokmae plum tree are natural monuments — do not touch, pick, or damage them; view only.
SeasonThis is a mostly open-air site: winters are cold with ice and snow, and summers bring heat and sudden showers, so dress for the season and wear non-slip shoes.
SeasonDuring spring cherry-blossom season and the June Gangneung Danoje festival, the whole city gets crowded and nearby parking fills up, so allow extra time.
Practical info
Typical hours are about 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00) with free parking. Fees run roughly 3,000 won for adults, 2,000 for teens/military, 1,000 for children; visitors 65+ and Gangneung residents enter free. Closed Jan 1, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok (outdoor Ojukheon area excepted). Confirm current fees, hours, and closures via the official Gangneung Municipal Museum site before visiting.
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