Bonte Museum Jeju: What To Expect
After visiting Museum SAN in Wonju, I was intrigued to visit another museum designed by Tadao Ando: Bonte Museum Jeju. Just like it’s sister museum, Bonte Museum is just as intriguing and has so much more to offer!
Here’s how to get to Bonte Museum Jeju and what not to miss!
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Key Facts about Bonte Museum
- Bonte Museum opened in 2012
- Bonte 本態 translates to “the original form”
- This space aims to share the beauty of Korea’s traditional culture with the international community
- The museum was designed by Tadao Ando, the master of minimalist architecture
- There are five galleries, music hall, cafe, shop and garden
- Museum SAN in Wonju is its sister museum
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission Information
How to get to Bonte Museum
Bonte Museum is located in southwest Jeju Island. The best way to reach the museum is by car or taxi. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the museum from Jeju airport and around 15 minutes from Jungmun.
Address: 69 Sallongnam-ro, 762 beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwip, Jeju
What not to miss at Bonte Museum
Bonte Museum Jeju is much more than just a museum. It’s a space where you can genuinely relax the body and mind. It’s also the place when it’s bad weather in Jeju.
You can easily spend an entire day here – the museum has a lot to offer!
Gallery 1
After purchasing your ticket in the shop area, you move on to Gallery 1.
This part of the museum focuses on traditional Korean handicrafts on two floors. If you are interested in Korean culture, you will enjoy the many different displays of portable dining tables (soban), wooden furniture, and wrapping cloths (bojagi) exhibited here.
Gallery 2
The next gallery is an open space with high ceilings and deep eaves. It houses the works of globally renowned contemporary artists Nam June Paik and Tadao Ando.
Be sure to follow the exhibition all the way to the end, where you will find Tadao Ando’s meditation room. This interesting space takes its motif from bojagi, or Korean wrapping cloth, and creates an exquisite harmony between the traditional and the contemporary.
Gallery 3
The third gallery is probably the one you see all over Instagram. This is where three works from the world-famous Yayoi Kusama are housed. Even if you are not really into art, you have probably seen the yellow and black artworks from Kusama before. At Bonte Museum Jeju you get to see her famous Pumpkin and the Infinity Mirrored Room – Gleaming Lights of the Souls.
This room was definitely the highlight of Bonte Museum Jeju. I did not know before my visit that all floor areas are covered in water, except for the foothold. This makes this room even more breathtaking.
Café Bonte
If you get hungry or want to grab something to drink, just head to Café Bonte. This is a place where visitors can relax and enjoy various meals and tea drinks, while admiring the beautiful lotus-covered pond outside.
Sculpture Garden
The rooftop of Gallery 5 (housing temporary exhibitions) is also referred to as Bonte sculpture garden. Here, you can admire intriguing sculptures from artists like David Gerstein, Jaume Plensa, and Rotraut Klein-Moquay.
Moreover, you get excellent panoramic views of Seogwipo’s southern shore and Mt. Sanbangsan from this rooftop.
Bonte Garden
This small park features a fountain and various bronze sculptures. The garden overlooks Gallery 2 and you can see Mt. Sanbangsan in clear weather.
Ready for a visit to Bonte Museum Jeju?
As you can see, any type of traveler can enjoy their visit to Bonte Museum. If you are looking for something unique to do while in Jeju, you shouldn’t miss your chance to visit this incredible masterpiece of a museum!
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