Hello! This time, I’d like to share a review of my visit to the Korea Craft Museum in Seoul. It’s a great place to see wonderful artworks for free, and if you’re traveling to Seoul, it’s definitely worth a visit!
1. How to Get to the Seoul Craft Museum
It’s easy to find the Seoul Craft Museum if you exit from Exit 1 of Anguk Station. There are many other places worth visiting around here, and I’ll introduce them at the end of the post!
The Seoul Craft Museum looks even more beautiful at night than during the day. The interior, visible through the glass windows, really caught my eye.
What’s unique about this place is that there are works displayed outside the building. Seeing the award-winning special exhibition works made me even more excited for the exhibits inside. I first entered through Exhibition Hall 1.
2-1. Exploring the Exhibitions
The first floor of Exhibition Hall 1 has the craft library, which is open to everyone and surprisingly spacious. It’s worth noting that it operates as an unmanned library on Friday nights.
Inside the library, there are comfortable spaces for reading, and you can find a variety of books related to crafts. It’s a great place to visit after viewing the exhibitions.
No reservation is required, so it’s easy to visit. However, the children’s museum requires a reservation, which can be made 14 days in advance at 4 PM. It’s often fully booked within seconds on weekends, so it’s best to prepare early. You can also try your luck with same-day cancellations.
2-2. Exploring the Exhibition: “Building a House with Crafts”
To continue the tour, I moved up to the third floor to see the special exhibition, “Building a House with Crafts,” which runs until March 9, 2025.
At a glance, the landscaping in the exhibition space was full of care and thought. You could really feel the dedication of the people who planned and designed the space, and the meaning behind the flooring was striking.
There was also a space that expressed one of the essential elements of a house: the pillars. It made me rethink the significance of the expression “the pillar of our home.”
Looking at all the different elements that make up a house, I realized how much of our traditional culture needs to be preserved and passed down in modern times.
When visiting places like Bukchon Hanok Village or Jeonju, you can still feel the old charm, especially when you see the traditional tiled roofs. It’s a reminder of the unique beauty and sophisticated architectural techniques that are part of Korea’s heritage.
There was also an interesting section where you could learn about wallpaper, with various patterns and architectural materials on display. Despite the variety, everything came together harmoniously.
2-3. Exploring the Exhibition: “Crafts from Nature”
Next, I moved to the second floor of Exhibition Hall 2. This section showed the history of crafts developed alongside human history.
One of the highlights was the exhibit on “Craftsmen Creating the Tradition of Crafts.” It showcased a variety of craft items, including the famous celadon vases with cloud and crane designs, which I had often seen in textbooks. It was fascinating to see these items preserved in their original form.
Another striking piece was the mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquerware. The intricate patterns and the time and effort it takes to create these pieces really made the result even more beautiful.
There were many other exhibits and a gift shop to explore, but since the post is getting long, I’ll continue in the next one!
3. Nearby Attractions to Visit (Within 10 Minutes on Foot)
If you’re in the area, there are plenty of other places to check out on foot. I recommend visiting:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Open Songhyeon Square
These spots are great to visit alongside the Seoul Craft Museum. Gyeongbokgung and Open Songhyeon Square are perfect for a visit on a nice day, especially in spring or fall. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is indoors, so it’s great to visit year-round.
4. Wrapping Up the Trip
In this post, I introduced the Seoul Craft Museum’s night opening and its exhibitions. I hope you found it helpful! The museum offers free admission, and it’s easy to visit, especially on Friday evenings when it’s open late. If you’re in the area, there’s also a famous bakery nearby, so be sure to stop by if you get the chance!
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