Although last edition we introduced some of Jeju’s best educational institutions, we all know that Jeju is actually infamous for the slightly off-the-wall touristy museums whose educational pretensions are overshadowed by one thing: A bit of a laugh.

This development - which has accelerated in recent years - has attracted some controversy and even caught the attention of the international press. Alex Frangos of the Wall Street Journal writes that such “tacky” museums, “occupy families on rainy days and act as easy stops for bus tours, but Jeju has taken it to an extreme.”

Extreme indeed. To introduce each and every one of these would need a whole edition of the paper, so we’ve selected some of the most popular to give you some ideas for your trip around the island. Open year-round, they are useful options for a rainy day.

Notes:

- High and low seasons have not been set yet by all museums. High season can be expected between June and August.

- All museums open 365 days per year.

- If traditional, educational museums are more your thing, click here.

Teddy Bear Museum

This museum at Jungmun Tourist Complex, which opened in April 2001, is the first and largest teddy bear museum in Korea. You can find teddies made by famous Korean and foreign artists plus visit an art gallery, a history room, a special exhibition room, a museum shop and a restaurant. Among the prize exhibits is a 230 million won Louis Vuitton teddy bear.

Hours: Low-season hours: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. (Last admission 7 p.m.)
Summer hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Last admission 9 p.m.)
Tickets: Adults 8,000 won / M and HS students 7,000 won
Where: 31, Jungmungwangwang-ro 110 beon-gil, Seogwipo-City
Transport:
Jeju International Airport → #600 Airport Limousine → Yeomiji Botanic Garden Entrance → Walk to Jeju Teddy Bear Museum [60mins]
Contact: 82-64-738-7600
Web: www.teddybearmuseum.co.kr

Trick Art Museum

As our 2012 review states, “A visit to the Trick Art Museum in Seogwipo City will not be like your high school field trips to the local art museum; in fact, it may be the weirdest field trip of your life.” Touching, feeling and picture-taking are all positively encouraged as the museum turns traditional two-dimensional art into a three-dimensional experience and you become the main subject of every painting.
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (Last admission 6 p.m.)
Tickets: Adults 8,000 won / M and HS students 7,000 won
Where: 2644, Beonyeong-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-City
Transport: Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal → #720 (toward Pyoseon) → Trick Art Museum Entrance [60mins]
Contact: 82-64-787-8774
Web: http://www.trickart.co.kr

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum

Our review back in 2011 states Ripley’s is: “completely modern and elicits childhood memories. It speaks to all ages and offers tasteful selections in the gift shop. It is educationally experience-based and delivers several hours of plain fun.” The museum introduces the collections of explorer Robert L, Ripley, who was a newspaper cartoonist who visited 198 countries. On his 18 trips around the world he collected many curiosities which led to a foundation, a book, and then a museum after his death in 1941. The Jeju museum is the 32nd in 11 countries.

Hours: Low-season hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Last admission 7 p.m.)
High-season hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Last admission 9 p.m.)
Tickets: Adults 8,000 won / M and HS students 7,000 won
Where: 32, Jungmungwangwang-ro 110 beon-gil, Seogwipo-City
Transport: Jeju International Airport → #600 Airport Limousine → Jungmun Tourist Complex Entrance → Walk to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum [60mins]
Contact: 82-64-738-3003
Web: ripleysjeju.com

Jeju Glass Museum

Jeju Glass Museum is the child of Gimpo Glass Museum and provides experiential glass-making fun across 20,000 square meters. It comes recommended by the Korea Art Association for its hands-on experiential classes available for children and adults. There is also a ‘Cafe Glass Garden’ decorated with glass art and a small woodland, valley, and comfortable resting area.
Hours: Low-season hours (Oct.~Mar.): 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Last admission at 8 p.m.)
High-season hours (Apr.~Sep.): 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Last admission at 9 p.m.)
Tickets: Adults 9,000 won / M and HS students 8,000 won
Where: 1403, Jungsanganseo-ro, Seogwipo-City
Transport:
Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal → #750 (toward Seogwipo) → Sumbinari[40mins] → Walk to Jeju Glass Museum [25mins]
Contact: 82-64-792-6262
Web: www.glassmuseum.co.kr

Hello Kitty in Jeju

Hello Kitty, the little character adorning a million children’s pencil cases, was created in 1974 by Yuko Shimizu. The small Japanese feline is now much loved by children and adults alike and this is the first museum dedicated to the cat in Korea. The museum intends to be a present for Hello Kitty lovers across the country and opened in late 2013. It includes Hello Kitty Island, including a Kitty house and art gallery, and Hello Kitty Cafe, which specializes in Kitty-themed delights, a must for selfie photo fiends.
Hours: Low-season: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
High-season (June.~Aug.): 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets: Adults 12,000 won / M and HS students 11,000 won
Where: 340, Hanchang-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-City
Transport: Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal → #750 (toward Seogwipo) → Sumbinari [40mins] → Walk to Hello Kitty Island
Contact: 82-64-792-6115
Web: www.hellokittyisland.co.kr

Jeju Love Land

“Loveland, which is lit up beautifully after sunset, is an unconventional park offering tourists and Koreans a more unusual reason to visit the island,” our 2009 review of the attraction states. And prudish visitors needn’t be put off, as: “Although sex education is stressed as a reason for the creation of the park, Loveland’s statues and installations are bold and exude humor.” The attraction was born after Hongik University graduates began making sculptures and by 2004 it was open and showcasing 140 works of sexually inspired art.
Hours: 9 a.m.-12 a.m. (Last admission 11 p.m.)
Tickets: Adults 9,000 won
Where: 2894-72, 1100-ro, Jeju-City
Transport:
Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal → #46 (toward Jeju Museum of Art) → Jeju Museum of Art [40 mins] → Walk to Jeju Loveland [3 mins] Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal→ #740 (toward Jungmun Jct.) → Jeju stock raising complex → Walk to Jeju Loveland [3 mins]
Contact: 82-64-712-6988
Web: www.jejuloveland.com