Moomin Magic on Jeju: A Playful Adventure for All Ages
When planning a trip to Jeju Island in South Korea, you’ll find endless opportunities to explore its natural beauty, from stunning shores to scenic oreums and everything in between. But beyond its breathtaking landscapes (which I highly suggest you see), Jeju also offers whimsical and playful attractions that might just surprise you. Among these must-visit spots is the delightfully kitschy Snoopy Land, where we couldn’t help but fall in love with its nostalgic vibe.
Inspired by that visit, we stumbled upon Moomin Land (무민랜드) and thought, “Why not dive into the cartoony world of Moomin and his adventures?” It was more than I expected. Though not as large as Snoopy Land, still very inspiring and fun.
Here’s what you should know to enjoy Moomin Land in Jeju, Korea:
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Basic Info
Address: 420 Byeongak-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 안덕면 병악로 420)
Hours: Wednesday ~ Monday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Adults: W15,000; Middle school & High school students: W14,000; Children 36 months ~ Elementary students: W12,000
- Buy tickets online: Buy your tickets online on kkday.
Website: https://moominlandjeju.co.kr/
Some Backstory
Moomin was written by Finnish national Tove Jansson. She wrote the first character after an argument with her brothers about philosophy. The first character was actually drawn on a bathroom wall!
Striving to draw the ugliest creature on earth, the Moomins were what she conjured. The first published Moomin work was in the Finnish magazine Garm in 1938 and it was a satirical anti-Hitler cartoon. As you walk through this museum, you’ll notice that her comics had a lot of political innuendo and thoughts.
Fun Fact: Though Jansson was Finnish, The Moomins was originally written in Swedish.
Meet The Moomin Characters
Whether you’re a longtime fan or meeting them for the first time like we were, Moomin Land is a great place to immerse yourself in the magical universe of the Moomins. The Moomins are an eccentric family of trolls and these are just the main characters to look for:
Did you know: Jansson started producing Moomin novels alongside her comic strips. She wrote the first Moomin novel, Moomin and the Great Flood, at the end of the Second World War.
Moomin: Moomin is a cheerful and optimistic soul, always on the lookout for happiness. He finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, like collecting rocks and seashells. His warm-hearted nature and boundless enthusiasm make him a friend to all who visit Moomin Land.
Snorkmaiden: As Moomin’s charming girlfriend, Snorkmaiden adores dressing up with flowers in her hair and golden anklets. Her romantic spirit often leads her into peculiar adventures, but she always manages to sprinkle a little sparkle wherever she goes.
Moominpappa: Once an adventurous traveler, Moominpappa has settled down in Moomin Valley, where he serves as the family’s wise and dependable storyteller. His thrilling tales of past escapades are sure to ignite your sense of adventure.
Moominmamma: The heart of the Moomin family, Moominmamma is nurturing and resourceful, always ready with her trusty handbag filled with everything her family could need. Her love for cooking and decorating makes Moomin Land feel like home for everyone who visits.
The Hattifatteners: Mysterious and otherworldly, the Hattifatteners are neither plants nor animals. These silent wanderers are powered by electricity and are known for their uncanny ability to predict rain. Watching them move in unison is a mesmerizing sight. The Hattifatteners are thin, white, ghostlike beings that roam around in groups. They are mute and deaf, but can sense vibrations in the ground. Their eyes change colour depending on the environment around them.
Snufkin: Moomin’s best friend, Snufkin, is a free-spirited wanderer and talented musician. Spending summers in Moomin Valley and winters traveling south, Snufkin embodies the adventurous spirit that defines Moomin Land.
Little My: Little My, Snufkin’s half-sister, may be small, but she’s bursting with personality. Fearless and mischievous, she brings a touch of humor and unpredictability to Moomin Land. Her quirky ideas and bold antics make her a favorite among visitors.
The Moomin Land Experience
Moomin Land is a multi-story museum which exhibition spaces, play areas, and a cafe and shop. This museum is as much for the kids as it is for the adults. There is a great educational aspect about the museum and the comics are so fun to take a close look at.
Fun Fact: The Moomins became so popular that you could read Moomin studies at Swedish universities in the 1950s.
The exhibition halls start off with a lot of great information about the creator Tove Jansson and the Moomin characters, which are trolls and not hippos as we first assumed. Each character has their own section so that we could learn about their individual quirks and charms.
From there, the rooms become even more whimsical and playful and grandiose, with the characters and their playthings set up for the kids to play on and climb into. There is a 10-meter high replica of the Moomin house of all things and you can climb all the way to the top.
There are life-size and super colorful dioramas to wander in and around and between. The kids can get up close and personal while the adults read the comic strips and enjoy the whimsy.
There are comics, beautiful drawings, and a small theater to watch the Moomin cartoons. The drawings and artworks had beautiful detail and while you may go in expecting to see some simple comic strips, it’s definitely more than that that you’ll find inside.
Fun Fact: Though the Moomins started life in the 1940s, they’re still going strong today. The movie Moomins on the Riviera was released in 2014.
I loved the detail, the various colorful and black and white artworks and the designs that could be found all around the spaces.
Fun Fact: The comic strip began to take a toll on Jansson. Constantly needing new ideas left her with little time to paint and write. She wrote in her notes, “Those damn Moomins, I don’t want to hear about them any more. I could vomit on the Moomintrolls”.
And from there it gets even more interactive for the kids involved. There are ball pits, photobooths, and a hall to do Moomin-themed crafts.
Cafe & Shop
Once you’ve gotten through the exhibition spaces, there is a substantial cafe to enjoy. It was much larger than I ever expected. Get a drink and dessert or Moomin shaped bready treats and take a seat before heading out.
From the cafe, there’s a large shop to get all of your favorite Moomin toys, postcards, and more. If you want to peruse, tell the kids to head just outside to the playground area so you can take your time.
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