A Quiet Start to My Jeju Winter Trip
Finding Peace at Seondeoksa Temple in Seogwipo
#JejuTravel #JejuTemple #SeondeoksaTemple
#WinterJeju #JejuSnow #HealingTrip
#ENTPTravel #NoPlanTrip #JejuHealingCourse
Hello, this is Hidori 😊
The first stop of this Jeju trip?
Honestly… there was no plan at all 😂
But isn’t that kind of how ENTP-style travel works?
“Let’s go first and decide later.”
As soon as I arrived, I realized something.
Instead of crowded attractions and busy cafés,
I just wanted a place that felt quiet and calm.
And that’s when Seondeoksa Temple came to mind.
A Snowy Day Made Seondeoksa Even More Special
On the day I visited, Jeju was under a heavy snow advisory.
I didn’t expect the snowfall to be that intense,
but even the road leading up to the temple felt different —
quiet, white, and almost unreal.
Maybe it was the snow,
but the temple somehow reminded me of a scene from a Studio Ghibli film.
The moment I stepped inside the grounds, everything slowed down.
- Snow-covered temple buildings
- A courtyard painted completely white
- The soft sound of footsteps breaking the silence
I didn’t know a temple in winter could be this beautiful.
Without trying, my steps became slower.
My voice got quieter.
I was fully present.
A View You Can Only See in Winter
Snowy temples are rare in Jeju,
and this felt like a moment that existed only for today.
On top of that, I even spotted a flock of winter crows flying across the sky —
a strange but memorable contrast against the white scenery.
If you’re planning a winter trip to Jeju,
this is a view I’d strongly recommend experiencing at least once.
(Fun fact: I later found out that Seondeoksa was also featured on
“I Live Alone,” visited by Kian84 — I didn’t know at the time 😄)
A Spacious Temple with a Calm Presence
Seondeoksa isn’t an ancient temple,
but it feels surprisingly grand and spacious.
There’s plenty of room to walk around quietly,
and it never feels cramped or overwhelming.
And then… there was an unexpected highlight.
The Temple Cat 🐾
Yes — Seondeoksa has a resident cat.
A very friendly one.
So friendly, in fact, that it clearly loves people more than temples 😆
I watched it happily enjoying its first-ever Churu treat,
followed by some very serious grooming.
It even has a short tail — extra cute.
If you visit, maybe bring a little snack for the cat.
You might make a new friend.
A Rare Moment of Stillness
I’m not usually the type who can sit still for long.
But that day was different.
Walking slowly through the snowy temple grounds,
bowing in prayer, standing quietly in front of the statues —
it felt like my tangled thoughts were gently settling,
melting away like snow.
That was the moment I thought:
“This was the perfect way to start this trip.”
Beyond the Temple: Camellias and Quiet Paths
Just outside the temple, there’s another beautiful scene waiting.
A small area where camellia flowers bloom,
even under the snow.
Red camellias against white snow —
simple, but unforgettable.
There were barely any footprints,
so it felt like I had the entire snowy landscape to myself.
Snow, a temple, and silence.
Honestly, the perfect healing formula.
Why I Recommend Seondeoksa as a First Stop in Jeju
You don’t have to start your Jeju trip with beaches or cafés.
On a snowy winter day, Seondeoksa:
- Slows down your pace
- Clears your mind
- Helps you ease into the journey
Even though this was a completely unplanned stop,
it turned out to be the perfect first chapter of my Jeju trip.
And knowing myself…
my next trip will probably start without a plan again.
But Seondeoksa is one place I’d happily return to —
quiet, peaceful, and deeply memorable.
Thanks for reading.
This has been Hidori 😊
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