A Rainy Day Escape in Seoul: Exploring the National Folk Museum of Korea
This post contains honest opinions and information only.
Hello, this is Yurim's Diary!
Today, I'm sharing about the National Folk Museum of Korea, a great place to visit in Seoul on a rainy day, covering topics like reservations, admission fees, exhibits, and what it offers for children.
Let's get started! ∼
Looking for things to do in Seoul on a rainy day?
Location: 37, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+ 879m from Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 1
Hours: Every day from 9 AM to 6 PM
+ Last admission is 1 hour before closing
Parking: Not available
+ Use the nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace parking lot
Seoul offers a variety of places to visit on rainy days, but some spaces leave a lasting impression.
One such place is the National Folk Museum of Korea.
Stepping inside from the rainy city streets, I was impressed by the way you can quietly observe the landscapes of Korean life as it flows.
Now, let's dive into the exhibit review and detailed information about admission fees, reservations, activities for children, and more.
1. Location
It's located near the back gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
For those using public transportation, take Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station.
Then, transfer to bus A01 towards the Blue House (Cheongwadae) and get off at the National Folk Museum stop.
The bus stop is right in front of the museum complex entrance. The bus runs approximately every 15 minutes, but please note that it does not operate on Saturdays and Sundays.
Upon entering the complex, you'll see a five-story traditional Korean building in the center, which was built in 1993 when the museum reopened.
To the right of the building, there is a 7080s Retro Street. The quality is so good, like a movie set, that I highly recommend visiting. I'll leave a review of it at the bottom of this post, so please refer to it.
2. Reservations
The entrance to the National Folk Museum of Korea, a great place to visit in Seoul on a rainy day, is on the left side when facing the five-story building.
You can visit freely during opening hours without a reservation.
The museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
Admission is allowed until 1 hour before closing, and the museum has extended hours until 8 PM every Saturday.
Entering the entrance, there is a spacious lobby with a cafe inside.
Several convenient facilities are available, including restrooms, a nursing room, and free lockers.
You can even charge your phone for free.
3. Admission Fee
There are three exhibition halls, from Hall 1 to Hall 3.
Admission is free to all, and you can explore freely.
The theme of Exhibition Hall 1 is 'The Korean Today.'
Here, you can see K-Culture and records of moments that have been with us, along with objects that have been passed down from the past to the present.
There were many exhibits, including a modern reinterpretation of a Joseon Dynasty woman's 'Jang-ot' and 'Jeogori' (outerwear and jacket) and a 'Jige' (A-frame carrier).
This is 'Onggi,' an essential part of our culture.
As an important container for enjoying fermented foods, it has been a part of Korean culinary culture to this day.
And, befitting Korea, the land of hats, there were many hats that we have worn from the past to the present.
Traditional costumes such as cotton and other fabrics, colorful Jeogori, and Hanbok were on display.
Children's Hanbok were all in bright colors. It is said that in the past, parents put various colors into their children's Hanbok with the hope for their vitality and health.
A mother-of-pearl mirror was placed on one side.
When I stood in front of it, a video about K-beauty culture played in the mirror.
Behind it, a video containing several moments when the nation came together was played.
There was also a 'THE K Zone' where you could watch K-culture with headphones and tablets.
4. Exhibition
The theme of the Permanent Exhibition Hall 2 is 'A Year in the Life of Koreans.'
Here, I was impressed by how you can quietly observe the landscapes of Korean life as it flows.
Moving through a space, I was able to look at all the seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
In this way, the characteristics of each season were displayed in models, adding to the fun of viewing.
This is the scenery of Buddha's Birthday in April (Lunar calendar), which caught my eye. It was truly beautiful.
When the exhibition from spring to winter is over, a gate appears. Behind the gate, a village appears.
The village is decorated with traditional Korean houses, and the scenery is projected on the screen on the wall.
Seasonal videos were played with music, making it an even more vivid space.
So, I felt like I had time-slipped into the old days, but it was so vivid that there were some scary moments.
In Hall 3, you can see daily life and a lifetime.
What impressed me from the first exhibition was that it seemed like a simple story of the lives and love of two men and women, but it was impressive and touching because it was produced with scenes that combined the past and present.
From birth and first birthday parties to learning and love, marriage, aging, and even death, it may seem like a simple flow, but it was a time to look back on forgotten moments.
I was able to naturally face the journey of life.
5. Children
The National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul, a great place to visit on a rainy day, is such a meaningful space that it is a great place for children to visit for learning purposes.
There are many indoor spaces to visit in Seoul on rainy days, but it is a place with a variety of attractions and will remain in your heart for a long time, so I would like to recommend it.
In addition, from September 17, 2025 to November 3, 2025, you can also see the exhibition 'The Sky Reunited: Treasures - Restoration of the Old and New Astronomical Charts'.
Here, you can see the beautiful scenery of the universe.
So far, I've shared about the indoor exhibition that you can see after folding your umbrella in the rainy city.
I've left detailed information, so please refer to it. I'll leave a review of the 7080s Retro Street that I mentioned earlier and finish this post.
Summary & Closing
I visited the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul on a rainy day, and covered admission fees, reservations, children's activities, and exhibits.
I hope today's post has been helpful to many people.
I'll end here.
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