Flexible Garden Add-On Tour
Seoul: Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm opt Railbike
From$54Check availability
The Short Answer
Nami Island is a half-moon-shaped river island in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, famous as the main filming location for the 2002 K-drama Winter Sonata. Visitors reach it by a roughly five minute ferry from Gapyeong Wharf. Adult entry costs 19,000 KRW including the round-trip ferry, and most people spend three to six hours on the island.
Before 2002, Nami Island was a quiet riverside retreat known mostly to locals. Then Winter Sonata aired, and the drama's central scenes, shot along the island's Metasequoia Lane, turned the tree tunnel into one of the most photographed paths in Korea. The series is widely credited with sparking the Hallyu tourism wave, drawing Japanese and other international fans to Gangwon-do in numbers the island had never seen.
The island, which styles itself the Naminara Republic, sits in the Bukhan River at 1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si. Beyond the famous tree lanes, it offers gardens, art installations, cycling paths and food stalls in a car-free setting. It also pairs naturally with nearby Gapyeong attractions such as Petite France, a French-themed village 15 minutes from the ferry that has hosted shoots for My Love from the Star, Beethoven Virus and Running Man.
Compare The Tours
The tours below all depart from Seoul and differ mainly in what they pair with the island. Some focus on a relaxed, low-cost day with a late start, others stack multiple Gapyeong attractions into one long itinerary, adding rail bikes, ice valleys, alpacas, cable cars or the Garden of Morning Calm's night illuminations. Prices range from budget group options to fuller panoramic days.
Rail Bike And Alpaca Tour
Nami Island, Alpaca World and Gangchon Rail Bike Tour from Seoul
Swaps gardens for the Gangchon Rail Bike alongside Alpaca World and Nami.
From$74Check availability
Cable Car Panoramic Tour
Nami Island, Cable Car, Garden of Morning Calm Panoramic Tour
Adds a cable car ride and the Garden of Morning Calm, with strong ratings from 129 reviews.
From$109Check availability
Alpaca And Garden Tour
Nami Island, Alpaca World, Garden of Morning Calm tour from Seoul
Couples the island with Alpaca World and the Garden of Morning Calm in one outing.
From$80Check availability
Small-Group Triple Stop
Alpaca World, Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul
Another Alpaca World and Morning Calm pairing for travellers comparing operator schedules.
From$78Check availability
Five-Stop Gapyeong Combo
Eobi Ice Valley & Nami & Railbike & Petite & Morning Calm
Packs Eobi Ice Valley, rail biking, Petite France and Morning Calm into one packed itinerary.
From$63Check availability
Late-Start Budget Day Trip
Nami Island Day Tour From Seoul (Sleep In & Leisurely)
Cheapest option with a sleep-in start, ideal for a leisurely island-only day from Seoul.
From$33Check availability
What You Will See
Metasequoia Lane
The star attraction. This symmetrical tunnel of tall redwoods was the setting for Winter Sonata's most memorable scenes, including the famous kiss moment. It is the single biggest reason fans make the trip from Seoul, and the lane appears on countless Korean tourism posters.
Winter Sonata Character Statues
Bronze figures of the drama's leads stand on the island as a permanent tribute to the show that changed Nami's fortunes. Fans stop for photos beside them, and they mark the clearest link between the island today and the 2002 production.
Ginkgo Tree Lane
A golden corridor in autumn and a bright green vault in summer, the ginkgo lane rivals the metasequoias for photogenic appeal. It runs arrow-straight and is at its most striking in late October and early November when the leaves turn.
Central Pine Tree Lane
The island's third signature avenue, lined with dense pines that keep their colour year round. It offers shade in summer and a dramatic, darker backdrop in winter snow, when the island takes on the mood of the drama itself.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
Most visitors arrive from Seoul, either on a guided tour bus or by public transport to Gapyeong Station, followed by a short trip to Gapyeong Wharf. From the wharf, ferries run frequently to the island, and the crossing takes roughly five minutes. Ferry schedules govern access, with the island open 08:00 to 21:00 and seasonal extensions possible. Drivers can park near the wharf and take the same ferry.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
Official admission costs 19,000 KRW for adults and includes the round-trip ferry, as of 2026. Tickets can be bought online in advance or on site, and while no major sell-outs have been reported, peak seasons such as autumn foliage and Korean holidays see heavy demand. Most visitors spend three to six hours on the island. Guided tours from Seoul bundle transport with nearby sights like the Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France, rail bike courses and Alpaca World, trading independence for convenience.
Booking Tips
- Buy tickets online ahead of autumn weekends and Korean public holidays, when demand peaks.
- The 19,000 KRW entry already covers the round-trip ferry, so no separate ferry payment is needed.
- Arrive early in the day for the calmest conditions on Metasequoia Lane before tour groups land.
- Ferry times dictate access, so check the last departure back when planning a late visit.
- Combo tours save the hassle of arranging separate Gapyeong-area transport.
On The Map
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Nami Island Famous?
The island was the main filming location for Winter Sonata, the 2002 K-drama credited with launching Hallyu tourism. Metasequoia Lane, where key scenes including the kiss moment were shot, became a pilgrimage site for fans across Asia and remains the island's signature sight.
How Do I Get To Nami Island From Seoul?
Take a guided tour bus, or travel by train to Gapyeong Station and continue to Gapyeong Wharf. From the wharf, ferries cross to the island in roughly five minutes and run frequently through the day. Most tours include round-trip transport from Seoul.
How Much Does Entry Cost?
Adult admission is 19,000 KRW as of 2026, and that price includes the round-trip ferry. Tickets can be purchased online or at the wharf. Guided tours from Seoul cost more but add transport and often other Gapyeong-area attractions.
How Long Should I Spend There?
A typical visit lasts three to six hours. That allows time for the main tree lanes, the statues, a meal and a stroll through the gardens. Travellers adding Petite France, rail biking or the Garden of Morning Calm should plan a full day.
What Was Filmed At Petite France?
The French-themed village near the ferry hosted shoots for My Love from the Star, Beethoven Virus and Running Man. It sits about 15 minutes from the Nami ferry and sells separate or combo tickets running roughly 12,000 to 18,000 KRW.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
Autumn brings the ginkgo lanes to gold and draws the biggest crowds, while winter snow gives the island the melancholy atmosphere of the drama itself. Peak seasons are busy, so early arrivals or weekday visits are the calmest choice.
Nami Island earns its fame honestly: the tree lanes are as photogenic in person as on screen, and the car-free layout makes for an easy half-day stroll. Independent travellers can manage the trip cheaply with a train to Gapyeong and the 19,000 KRW entry, while tours from Seoul simplify the logistics and fold in worthwhile nearby stops. Either way, Metasequoia Lane alone justifies the journey.
