Jeju’s Weirdest and Most Wonderful Art Stops: The Arario Museum Collection
Last Updated on July 15, 2025
When you think of Jeju Island, visions of beaches and volcanoes probably come to mind, but there is a pretty vibrant art scene on the island beyond the natural wonder too. At the heart of the scene are three Arario museums (아라리오 뮤지엄).
This trio of artistic inspiration sits in the Old Town of Jeju City. Much like Arario Museum in Space (아라리오뮤지엄 인 스페이스) in Seoul, these museums in repurposed motels and a vintage cinema house a collection of contemporary artworks that are bold, bizarre, and boundary-pushing. If anything, the collection is certainly a conversation starter and if you’re visiting Jeju City’s Old Town, these art museums make for an offbeat thing to do in Jeju.
Don’t miss Jeju’s artistic side with a stop to see the Arario collection:
- The Weird and Wonderful Arario Collection
- What To Know Before You Go
- The Three Arario Museums To Find In Jeju
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The Weird and Wonderful Arario Collection
The Arario Museums on Jeju Island were opened in 2014 and 2015 and they house contemporary artists like Nam June Paik, Andy Warhol, Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, Zhang Huan, and Kohei Nawa among many others. The collection belongs to Ci Kim, the chairman of Arario Group.
I personally find the Arario collection to be something of a old-style circus of oddities. It has weird, wonderful, and witty works.
What To Know Before You Go
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
Admission: THREE Museum Ticket: Adults: W24,000; Youth: W14,000
Plan to see them all! The most budget-friendly ticket is to get the pass to visit all three of these museums which are in walking distance of each other.
Tip for Families: If you’re taking kids, be aware that there may be art that is rather obscene or is quite mature, but staff usually let you know at the beginning where these are so that you might avoid them if you wish.
The Three Arario Museums To Find In Jeju
The three Arario Museums in Jeju City are in remodeled structures that were once cheap hotels and a multiplex theater. They sit in the Old Town of Jeju City near Dongmun Traditional Market and Jeju Mokgwana traditional site. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something a little different, the Arario Museums in Jeju offer a refreshing twist to the typical Jeju itinerary.
Arario Museum Tapdong Cinema (아라리오 뮤지엄 탑동 시네마)
The Cinema Theater was originally opened in 1999 with 793 seats and four theaters. It was a space that introduced the concept of multiplex theaters to the island. In 2002, the Cinema Theater underwent a large-scale expansion to create themed theaters like the “Theater with Seas” and the “Lover Theater”. Unfortunately, by 2005, it closed down to do financial issues.
- Address: 14 Tapdong-ro, Jeju-si (제주특별자치도 제주시 탑동로 14)
- Admission: Adults: W15,000; Youth: W9,000
Arario Museum Dongmun Motel I (아라리오뮤지엄동문모텔 1)
The area around Sanjicheon Stream was a crowded area with factories and stores thanks to the nearby Jeju Port. Originally houses were concentrated around the stream thanks to the water flow but as local residents moved to nearby areas and the district became home to more floating populations which needed inns and motels, Dongmun Motel was established.
In the 1990s, there were local movements to restore the Old City area and clean up the stream that had become polluted, thus changing the area once again but this time into an eco-friendly space that created trails and cultural plazas for tourists.
- Address: 37-5 Sanji-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju
- Admission: Adults: W20,000; Youth: W12,000
Arario Museum Dongmun Motel II (아라리오뮤지엄동문모텔 2)
This is Arario’s fifth exhibition space, Dongmun Motel II has the same story as hotel I, the only difference is the location around the corner.
- Address: 23 Sanji-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
- Admission: Adults: W20,000; Youth: W12,000
If you want to go beyond the beaches and hiking trails in Jeju, a stop at the Arario Museums offers a refreshing cultural detour. These three museums in Jeju provide a mix of art, history, and architectural nostalgia, all within walking distance of Jeju City’s historic downtown.
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