Korea Travel: 13 Unique Must See Museums

5. Nexon Computer Museum

Jeju Island

via Imgur

Computer technology for the masses has only been around a few decades and the very first ones are dinosaurs compared to what we carry in our pockets now. So Nexon, one of Korea’s tech and video game giants, opened up the Nexon Computer Museum for us to all get a historical perspective on how we got where we are today. The museum has an extremely rare working Apple I computer, along with several of the very first and most influential computer models. But being a video game company, there’s also a focus on the history of video games as well, featuring playable video games from decades past (Atari, Commodore 64, Nintendo, Playstation, etc.). Part computer museum + part antique video game arcade = ultimate fun.

Address: Jeju-do, Jeju-si 1100-ro 3198-8 | 제주도 제주시 1100로 3198-8 (Click here for Google Maps)
Closest Subway Station: Anguk Station (Line 3)
Admission: 8,000 won | Students 7,000 won | Children 6,000 won
Operating Hours: 10AM to 8PM (Closes 6PM November to April), Closed every Monday
Official Website: http://www.nexoncomputermuseum.org/
See Pictures here: Check out a few pics here.

6. Robo Life Museum

Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do

“Domo Arigatou, Mr. Roboto.” If only the 80’s band Styx was in Korea to see the robotic goodness they had to be thankful for. The Robo Life Museum at the Korea Institute of Robot and Convenience houses an impressive collection of over 30 types of robots. Some are miniature robots programmed to be Psy back up dancers, some are robotic fish that swim, and some are robotic seals designed for therapy (yea, they’re out there). The best part of this unique Korea museum is getting to play with robots and even being able to build your own. Just be careful of the coming cybernetic robotic revolt,

Address: Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang-si, Nam-gu Jigok-ro 39 | 경상북도 포항시 남구 지곡로 39 (Click here for Google Maps)
How to Get There: From Pohang Station, take Bus number 300 and get off at POSTECH East Gate (동문)
Admission: 3,000 won
Operating Hours: Reservations are required (054-279-0427)
Official Website: http://www.robolife.kr/ (Korean)

7. Pig Museum

Icheon, Gyeonggi-do

Porky Pig, Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web and Piglet from Winnie the Poo are all examples of mankind’s fondness for pigs. And it’s reason enough for Korea to open its own pig themed museum. Located in the city of Icheon (not Incheon of airport fame), this swine shrine features art works, piggy banks and piggy dolls, all with the added flavor of cute. But know what’s even cuter? Real piglets jumping hurdles and doing fun little tricks. What’s even better is petting and feeding these cuties. Warning: your unhealthy obsession with bacon, ham and/or samgyupsal may suffer (although oddly enough, they offer a sausage making program).

Address: Gyeonggi-do Icheon-si Yulmyeon Wolpori 64 | 경기도 이천시 율면 월포리 64 (Click here for Google Maps)
How to Get There: From East Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울버스터미널) at Gangbyeon Station (Line 2), to Janghowon (장호원), Taxi needed thereafter
Admission: 2,000 won | 6,000 won with Pig Performance | 19,000 won with Performance and Sausage Making
Operating Hours: 9AM to 6PM (Closed Mondays)
Official Website: http://www.pigpark.co.kr/ (Korean)

8. Simone Handbag Museum

Seoul, Garosugil

Korea’s trendiest place for modern fashion is Garosugil. This area has all things fashion: shopping, models and street fashion photographers. Oh yea, and even a handbag museum housed in a building that looks like… well… a handbag. This fashion museum in Seoul focuses on the history of handbags and purses; the oldest of their collection date back to the 1500’s. Browsing through handbags of centuries past, one can get a sense of the changing fashion trends. And of course, since it’s a museum dedicated to fashion trends, the displays are also flawless and beautiful as well. Check out their official website to see museums done fashionably right.

Address: Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Sinsa-dong 17 Dosandaero 13 Gil | 서울시 강남구 신사동 17도산대로 13길  (Click here for Google Maps)
How to Get There: Sinsa Station (Line 3, Exit 8)
Admission: 5,000 won
Operating Hours: Opens 11AM, Closes 8PM Tue-Thur, 9PM Fri & Sat, 7PM Sunday
Official Website: http://simonehandbagmuseum.co.kr/en/ (English)

9. Haenyeo Museum

Jeju Island

One of Korea’s most iconic figures are the Haenyeo Women (literally “Sea Women”) of Jeju Island. Starting hundreds of years ago, hard working sea women would dive down into the ocean with only a pair of goggles and gather seafood by hand, even in the cold of winter. Unfortunately the number of Haenyeo women are dwindling, and the majority of remaining divers are grannies in their twilight years. At the least, the government has tried to celebrate these women with their very own museum. Anyone and everyone should be able to appreciate and respect hardworking 80 year old women who are still harvesting your seafood by hand. Give them a good look-see.

Address: Jeju-do Jeju-si Gujwaeup Haenyeo Museum Road 26 (Hadori 3204-1) | 제주도 제주시 구좌읍 해녀박물관길 26 (하도리 3204-1) (Click here for Google Maps)
How to Get There: From Jeju International Airport take Bus 100 or 200 to Jeju Bus Terminal. Take bus bound for Sehwa (세화) and Seongsan (송산) and get off at Haenyeo Japan Resistance Movement Memorial Park
Admission: Adults 1,100 won | Youth (13-24) 500 won
Operating Hours: 9AM to 6PM (Closed 1st Monday of every month)
Official Website: http://www.haenyeo.go.kr/ (Korean only)