About this festival
Mungyeong kilns produced much of the rough-and-ready tea ware that became prized by Japanese tea ceremony masters in the 16th century, and the tradition continues in active kilns around the city. The festival, held for around ten days from late April, opens the kilns to the public for rare anagama tunnel-kiln firing views and combines this with potter exhibitions, tea ceremonies, and hands-on throwing sessions. The mountain scenery of the Mungyeong region, with its old stone-paved pass, makes the trip rewarding beyond the festival itself.
Getting there
Take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Mungyeong (about 2 hours 30 minutes). By car from Seoul it is about 2 hours via Expressway 45 (Jungang Expressway). The Mungyeong Saejae festival site is signposted from Mungyeong town centre.
Tips
The official festival website sabal21.com has information in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Hands-on pottery workshops are available on a walk-in basis during the day. The Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park and old mountain road are free to walk year-round and are the best context for understanding why this region's rough ceramics appealed to ascetic tea masters.
Dates by year
- confirmed
2026
May 1 – 10, 2026
Source: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Last verified 2026-05-09.