Seogwipo forest tea house: Gosu black tea and a reading date, Egatot

I heard there was a place in Jeju where you can have tea and a reading date in a lush green forest, so I visited Egatot Library (에가톳 라이브러리). Every minute I spent at Egatot was healing and made me so happy, so I'm writing this with all that happiness in it.

Egatot Library location, hours and parking

Egatot Library is at 1F, Building Ga-dong, 266 Byeongak-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, and it's open from 11:00 to 17:00. It seems to be open every day, but it sometimes closes temporarily for events, so I'd recommend checking on Naver.

For parking, there are 2–3 lots starting from the entrance, so you can park without any stress.

The forest path from the parking lot to Egatot Library

The healing started the moment I got out of the car at Parking Lot 1 to walk to Egatot Library. Green trees wrapped around me as I walked, and I was already happy. The air was so good too. Wow, a place like this exists! I was so glad to have found it.

Looking at the area beside the library entrance, you can really feel how much care went into the landscaping. I was impressed that even the spot the building keeps out of the sun was filled with fresh, lively plants.

I came thinking it was just a library, but there's also a wellness center and cabin accommodation, so I decided I'd stay in an Egatot cabin on my next trip. Just imagining spending the whole stay from check-in to check-out here, walking the forest path, reading and doing yoga, made me happy.

Egatot Library sits past all the parking lots. The way is easy and it's a straight walk, so there's no worry about getting lost.

Is Egatot Library reservation-only?

Egatot Library runs on reserved visit times, so you can spend your time more quietly and privately. As soon as we stepped inside, a staff member was there to greet us. You take off your shoes and change into indoor slippers, which I liked even more. Taking my shoes off makes me feel freed from stuffiness and comfortable, so I loved that Egatot Library is a slippers-indoors place.

The tea ceremony seat and fermented sparkling tea we booked is a program of about 1 hour 50 minutes where you enjoy drinks while reading and reflecting. Guests with reservations get seats like the space in the photo above, a wide area with big glass windows where you can rest comfortably and take in the whole view.

Bookshop curation in 10 themes

Egatot Library isn't a place with tons of books like a big library, but the books are arranged under 10 themes, so you can pick from a variety of topics. 10 books each of 10 kinds give you far more choice than 100 books of one kind. You decide which theme you need right now, pick a book, and find rest for your mind through it.

Can you walk in without a reservation?

I was told the upper space and the big table in the middle of Egatot Library are for walk-in guests, not for the reserved tea set or fermented sparkling tea experience. Even without a reservation, you can have a simple coffee or latte.

Egatot Library tea menu and what we chose

For reservations, Egatot Library has 5 teas to choose from by taste, plus 4 sparkling teas. We chose Gosu black tea and hojicha (roasted green tea). Drinks for walk-in guests include matcha latte, Bo-i sukcha (ripe pu-erh tea) and homemade kombucha.

• Reservation teas: 5 kinds (our picks: Gosu black tea, hojicha)
• Fermented sparkling tea: 4 kinds
• Walk-in drinks: matcha latte, Bo-i sukcha, homemade kombucha

How does the tea ceremony seat work?

Before the tea ceremony at Egatot Library starts, a staff member explains the method. We heard how the space began and which teas are available, then they walked us through everything from rinsing the tea to drinking it, in detail and very kindly. I learned about the tea ceremony too, so it was two for the price of one.

This is the book I picked. Lately I've been spending time thinking about my emotions and how I react to situations. Maybe that's why it spoke to me so much, and I read it with total focus.

The tea ceremony was harder than I expected! A cup of tea comes out after many steps, and going through each one while hoping it turns into delicious tea was so exciting and fluttery.

How was it as a couple's reading date?

My husband read a book he brought from home. Super focused for the first time in ages, what's going on? Egatot Library clearly has a power of its own. It was a moment where focus came easily and my mind felt clear.

It was even better because the spot gets lots of sunlight. As soon as I drank the hojicha, I went all drowsy and felt my heart melt away.

This is the seat I sat in, which I photographed because I wanted to remember it. Next time I'd like to sit somewhere with a different view and enjoy some quiet reflection. Let's have a date at Egatot Library, the Jeju bookshop tea house, with books and delicious tea!

A forest walking path I want to try next time

On the way back to the car after 2 hours of healing, there's a forest walking path that makes you wonder what you'd find if you followed it. Next visit I'll leave more time and walk this path too.

If you want a healing date in Jeju, deep reflection in a private space, or a perfect refresh from your trip, I recommend Egatot Library.