Photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC0 1.0Naksansa is the 671 temple on the headland south of Sokcho. Uisangdae pavilion stands on its rock, Hongnyeonam hermitage over the sea cave, and the 16 m Haesugwaneum statue on the hill facing the water. Most of the halls burned in the forest fire of April 2005 and have been rebuilt. It is the temple on Holland America's Naksansa tour and on the third-party private tours.
For a passenger it is the alternative to the mountain on a six-hour call, and the afternoon addition on a thirteen-hour one. The cliff paths to Uisangdae and Hongnyeonam have steps; the view is east over open sea. Daepo Port, the fish harbour, is on the road back and makes the lunch stop.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Hours and fee are the one thing nobody can confirm. The temple is a Jogye temple with state-designated heritage, so the 2023 fee waiver probably applies; budget ₩3,000 in cash in case it does not.
- Keep the Seorak Call Taxi number, 033-639-1000, or ask the driver to wait. Taxis pass the gate but availability is not verified.
- The steps on the cliff path are the hard part, not the distance. Allow 1.5 h and do Uisangdae first.
- Temple dress rules apply on the private tours and are sensible anyway: shoulders and knees covered, hats off in the halls.
- A 9-hour private tour that adds Gangneung leaves no margin on a 10-hour call. If you book one, drop Gangneung and get the return time in writing.
Daepo Port, the fish harbour, is on the road back and makes the lunch stop.
Guided days from Sokcho
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More in Sokcho
Questions people ask here
How do I get to Naksansa from the Sokcho cruise port?
By taxi: 11.8 km, about 24 minutes, roughly ₩12,100–18,000 on the city tariff by our estimate. Yangyang-bound buses 9 and 9-1 exist at ₩1,700, but their stop near the terminal and their timetable are not published. Holland America's Naksansa Temple & Village tour, 4.5 hours, covers it with Abai Village and Daepo Port.
Is Naksansa open and is there an entrance fee?
Not published in a form we could verify. Secondary sources give opening at 06:00 and closing at 18:30 or 20:30, and disagree between free entry and ₩3,000. Parking is paid. Bring cash and expect either.
Is Naksansa worth it on a short call?
On a six-hour call it is the alternative to Seoraksan, not an addition; door to door it takes about 2.5 hours. On the ten-hour Westerdam calls the mountain fits better. On Seabourn's thirteen-hour call you can have both.