A Perfect Guide to Songdang Fairy Tale Village - Jeju's Eastern Hotspot
Recently, Songdang Fairy Tale Village has been gaining attention as an essential hotspot for any trip to eastern Jeju. This place has established itself as a space that can satisfy visitors of all ages, blending Jeju's natural beauty with unique themes. Today, let's explore the main attractions of Songdang Fairy Tale Village and some must-know tips.
Main Attractions in Songdang Fairy Tale Village
Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Branch - The Largest in Jeju
The biggest draw in Songdang Fairy Tale Village is undoubtedly Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Branch. This location, where Jeju's nature meets modern sensibilities, offers a special atmosphere with its unique design utilizing Jeju basalt and wood, unlike typical Starbucks stores. As a Starbucks Reserve exclusive store, you can taste a variety of signature drinks. The Jeju Tangerine Latte, available only in Jeju, or the limited-edition Udo Peanut Cream Coffee are must-try beverages here.
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| Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Branch |
The store has two floors, and its large glass windows allow you to relax while enjoying the village scenery. The window seats on the second floor are a popular photo spot as they offer a panoramic view of the beautiful garden of Songdang Fairy Tale Village.
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| Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Branch |
However, on weekends and holidays, it gets very crowded, leading to long waits for ordering and seating. It's busiest between 11 AM and 4 PM, so if you want a more relaxed experience, it's best to visit between 9-10 AM or after 5 PM. If the wait is too long, visiting the nearby Paris Baguette Mongsaengi-jip or Koriko Cafe is a good alternative.
Official Ghibli Dotori Forest Jeju Branch
Another can't-miss spot in Songdang Fairy Tale Village is the Official Ghibli Dotori Forest Jeju Branch. Operated under an official license from Japan's famous animation studio, Ghibli, it makes visitors feel like they've stepped into a fairy tale world.
Inside the store, you'll find various photo zones with popular characters like Totoro and the Catbus, making it a hit with both children and adults. The large Totoro photo zone at the entrance is so popular that you might have to queue for a photo on weekends, so it's a good idea to visit early.
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| Official Ghibli Dotori Forest Jeju Branch |
Here, you can buy various character goods from the animations. There's a wide range of cute and charming items like household goods, tableware, accessories, and stationery, making them perfect for souvenirs or gifts. However, note that most products are inside display cases, so handling them is restricted.
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| Official Ghibli Dotori Forest Jeju Branch |
Here's a tip to enjoy the Dotori Forest Jeju Branch even more. Watching popular Ghibli animations like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, or Howl's Moving Castle before your visit will make the merchandise even more appealing. Also, since there are many photo zones, make sure to fully charge your smartphone or camera battery.
If you want to shop and take pictures at a leisurely pace, we recommend visiting right after it opens in the morning or on a weekday afternoon. Weekends and afternoons can be crowded.
Paris Baguette (Mongsaengi-jip)
Another special place in Songdang Fairy Tale Village is Paris Baguette Mongsaengi-jip, a unique concept bakery you can only experience in Jeju. Unlike a typical chain store, this is a themed bakery centered around 'Mongsaengi,' a character unique to Jeju.
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| Paris Baguette Mongsaengi-jip |
Special menu items sold only here include Mongsaengi Sand, Green Barley Castella, and Udo Peanut Cream Bread. They are known for their excellent taste and quality, using local Jeju ingredients. The Hanchi Focaccia (Cuttlefish Focaccia), a menu item utilizing Jeju seafood, is highly satisfactory due to its generous amount of cuttlefish.
They also sell limited-edition goods featuring Mongsaengi. Various souvenirs like mugs, t-shirts, eco-bags, and postcards are available, perfect for commemorating your Jeju trip. For families, there's a special event where you can color a picture of Mongsaengi and get a postcard for posting it on social media, making it an ideal place to visit with children.
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| Paris Baguette Mongsaengi-jip |
Paris Baguette Mongsaengi-jip is located right next to Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Branch, making it very accessible. It's a popular alternative cafe when the Starbucks queue is long, especially on weekends and holidays. The spacious and pleasant interior with various seating options also makes it a great place to relax.
J-Farm Butcher's Restaurant
Among visitors to Songdang Fairy Tale Village, J-Farm Butcher's Restaurant is gaining popularity as a place for a hearty meal. It's a butcher-style restaurant that serves carefully selected Jeju black pork and Hanwoo (Korean beef), where you can enjoy high-quality meat at reasonable prices.
The restaurant's biggest feature is its freshness. It operates a butcher shop within the premises, allowing customers to choose their fresh meat and grill it right away. The Jeju Black Pork Belly (Heuk-dwaeji Ogyeopsal) and Hanwoo Sirloin are considered signature dishes, and the high quality of Jeju ingredients contributes to a high rate of returning customers.
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| J-Farm Butcher's Restaurant |
The price for black pork is around KRW 15,000-20,000 (approx. $11-$15 USD) per serving (200g), and Hanwoo is about KRW 30,000 (approx. $22 USD) per serving. In addition to meat, they also offer local dishes like Mom-guk (Pork and Seaweed Soup) and Galchi-jorim (Braised Cutlassfish), making it a particularly popular restaurant for family travelers.
J-Farm Butcher's Restaurant can be crowded during lunch and dinner times, so visiting for lunch between 11 AM and 12 PM, and for dinner between 5 PM and 6 PM, can help you avoid long waits. With its spacious interior and friendly service, it's also a great place for group travelers or families.
Koriko Cafe
Koriko Cafe is another noteworthy themed cafe in Songdang Fairy Tale Village. It's themed after the Ghibli animation "Kiki's Delivery Service," boasting a charming atmosphere that feels like stepping into a storybook.
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| Koriko Cafe |
From the exterior to the interior, the cafe perfectly recreates the 'Koriko Town' from the animation, offering visitors a unique experience. The warm wood-toned interior provides a cozy feeling, and the Kiki character props and drawings scattered throughout the cafe capture visitors' attention.
Koriko Cafe sells a variety of drinks and desserts, with the Koriko Signature Drink and Kiki Chocolate Cake being the most popular. Thanks to their beautiful plating, they are also highly rated by visitors who love taking photos.
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| Koriko Cafe |
Suitable for families and couples, this place allows for healing not just inside but also in its outdoor space. A small garden and walking path are available for a leisurely time in Jeju's nature.
Koriko Cafe gets crowded, especially on weekend and holiday afternoons, so visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon is recommended. If you're a traveler looking to make special memories in Songdang Fairy Tale Village while enjoying a cafe at your own pace, be sure to add Koriko Cafe to your visit list.
Songdang Fairy Tale Village is an attractive hotspot that you can't miss when planning a trip to eastern Jeju. Filled with a variety of sights and activities, from the largest Starbucks in Jeju to unique Ghibli-themed shops, cafes, and a butcher's restaurant, it's a place that can satisfy all travelers regardless of age. If you're planning your next trip to Jeju, be sure to visit Songdang Fairy Tale Village to create special memories.