The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of envrionmental factors on the ecological responses, yield, and quality properties and physicochemical characteristics of yacon cultivated in various regions of Korea. Experiments were carried out in eight regions from 2010 to 2013. The temperature range in Jinbu, Bonghwa, Cheolwon, and Gangneung during the growth period of yacon cultivation was 17.5-24.6°C. The total yield and marketable yield of tuberous root in Jinbu were 4,065 and 3,196 kg/10a, respectively. The sugar content of yacon tuberous roots comprised 0.11-0.20% fructose, 0.11-0.37% glucose, 0.39-0.68% sucrose, 0.07-0.37% reducing sugar, and 7.03-9.62% fructo-oligosaccharides. The content of fructo-oligosaccharides, which is a functional substance, was the highest in yacon cultivated in Jinbu. Based on the productivity and functional fructo-oligosaccharides, the optimum areas to cultivate yacon are Jinbu and Bonghwa, which are located in the middle-highland zone (500-560 m) and have a suitable growth temperature of 18-25°C. The results of the present study indicate that temperature could be the factor with the greatest influence on the root growth of yacon.