Explore the Serenity of Bonte Museum in Jeju

When you begin to plan a trip to Jeju Island, you might start to realize that this Korean island is not only a tropical paradise, but it is also home to over 100 museums. There is definitely plenty to see and do from beaches to art. When it comes to museums, Bonte Museum (본태박물관) stands out as an artistic escape and makes the perfect place to explore on a rainy day in Jeju. Designed by Tadao Ando and featuring traditional Korean crafts and works by Yayoi Kusama among other beautiful pieces, there’s a lot to discover.

Get ready to explore Bonte Museum on Jeju Island:

• How To Get There
• Basic Info
• What To Know About Bonte Museum
• The Architect: Tadao Ando
• What Not to Miss at Bonte Museum
• A Harmonious Blend of Past and Present

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How To Get There

Address: 69 Sanroknam-ro 726 beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주도 서귀포시 안덕면 산록남로 762번길 69)

Directions: The easiest way to get around is by renting a car on Jeju Island. If you can’t rent a car though, take either bus 181 and 182 to Donggwang Bus Stop. Cross the street to get bus 752-1 up to Sangcheon-ri Stop and then walk 20 minutes to the museum.

Rental Car Options:

• RentalCars: RentalCars has a great selection of rental car options and provides competitive pricing. You can very quickly and easily compare the various companies and availability and booking through them is super easy. You can get all of the necessary information you need regarding pricing, car details, insurance included and cancellation policies.
• QEEQ: This popular rental car website has great competitive rates and similarly to RentalCars, provides all of the necessary information on pricing, car details, insurance included, and cancellation policies. They’re a popular Hong Kong based company that now has offices worldwide.
• Klook: If you’re already booking your day trips and tours on Klook, then also look into their car rental options. Also founded in Hong Kong, Klook started for tours and packages, but now has rental car companies like Hertz, Avis, and Alamo available. 

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Basic Info

Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm

Admission: Adults: W25,000; Youth: W20,000; Children: W15,000

• Purchase discounted Bonte Museum tickets on kkday.

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What To Know About Bonte Museum

The Bonte Museum, meaning “its original form,” was established in 2012 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Created to share Korean handicrafts with more people, the museum space itself was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando and showcases the beauty of Korean culture through various exhibitions, cultural forums, and classes.

The museum boasts five galleries, a music hall, a café, a shop, and a serene garden, offering visitors a comprehensive experience. One of its distinguishing features is its sister museum, Museum SAN in Wonju.

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The Architect: Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando, the acclaimed architect behind the Bonte Museum, seamlessly weaves tradition and modernity into the architectural fabric of Jeju Island. Tadao Ando has designed a number of buildings in Korea and quite a few on Jeju Island including the Glass House and Yumin Art Nouveau Museum. Each one pays homage to the natural area while bringing industrial geometric structures with intentional detours that create a diverse and complex spatial experience to the surrounding.

Ando’s design philosophy, evident in the exposed concrete techniques, is balanced by a nod to traditional Korean aesthetics. The Bonte Museum’s winding route, akin to a maze much like his other buildings, invites visitors to ponder, providing a space for reflection and contemplation and take in everything at your own pace. Don’t just follow those in front of you. Make your own path.

As you traverse the museum’s intricate paths, you’ll encounter Tadao Ando’s signature courtyards, bringing nature and light into the building’s heart. Calm water and small waterfalls create calming movement. The journey culminates in a meditation room, inviting you to organize your thoughts.

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What Not to Miss at Bonte Museum

Bonte Museum is not just a museum; it’s a sanctuary for relaxation and contemplation. Here’s what to see at Bonte Museum.

Gallery 1: Traditional Korean Handicrafts

I love looking at traditional Korean craftwork. There is just stunning work to see. You can get a great introduction to Korean handicrafts at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art before you go to Jeju which I highly recommend.

Upon entering Gallery 1 at Bonte Museum, you’ll find traditional Korean handicrafts across two floors. There are displays of traditional Korean dining tables (soban), wooden furniture, najeonchilgi, or mother of pearl lacquerware, and traditional Korean wrapping cloths (bojagi), offering a glimpse into the heart of Korean culture. You’ll want to look very closely to see all of the exquisite details.

Gallery 2: Contemporary Art and Tadao Ando’s Meditation Room

The open space of Gallery 2 houses works by globally renowned contemporary artists Nam June Paik and Tadao Ando. Don’t miss Tadao Ando’s meditation room, a harmonious blend of Korean wrapping cloth motifs and contemporary design.

Gallery 3: Yayoi Kusama’s World

The Instagram-famous Gallery 3 hosts three works by the world-famous Yayoi Kusama. Marvel at the iconic Pumpkin while you wait in line to enter the Infinity Mirrored Room – Gleaming Lights of the Souls, an immersive experience with water-covered floors. While there is a wait to enter on most days, the line moves fairly quick as an attendant keeps people moving.

Step into the space and the attendant will close the door behind you so you can see the room in its twinkling entirety. It’s amazing. You’ll have a few minutes to yourself to take it all in from every angle.

Sculpture Garden: Rooftop Marvels

As you weave through the buildings and along the corridors, don’t leave any staircase unattended. We walked up to find a great view out over the island, but were the only people up there as other seemed to pass right by.

Ascend to the rooftop of Gallery 5, referred to as the Bonte sculpture garden. Admire sculptures by artists like David Gerstein and Jaume Plensa while relishing panoramic views of Seogwipo’s southern shore and Mt. Sanbangsan.

Café Bonte: Culinary Delights Amidst Nature

By the end, you might need to refuel so you can stop into Café Bonte. There are various meals and snacks that you can enjoy with a picturesque lotus-covered pond outside. We had lunch here and it was quite good.

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A Harmonious Blend of Past and Present

While Bonte Museum may be somewhat challenging to access via public transportation, the journey is well worth the effort. Bonte Museum, beyond being a treasure on Jeju Island, strives to become a global hub where the beauty of Korean tradition meets the diverse cultures of art museums worldwide.

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The museum on Jeju Island is really nice and if you’re interested in Tadao Ando architecture, then you’ll definitely want to visit this space. From Instagrammable locations and beautiful Korean handicrafts, there’s a lot to enjoy here.

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