Is Hello Kitty Island in Jeju Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

If you’re a Hello Kitty or Sanrio fan, there’s one attraction on Jeju Island you won’t want to miss – the Hello Kitty Island. Although not really an island, this part museum, part interactive exhibit, and part themed cafe is filled with all kinds of colorful attractions, photo opportunities, and plenty of adorable souvenirs. Because there’s so much to do on Jeju Island you might be wondering if it’s worth adding to your Jeju itinerary. After visiting myself, here’s everything you need to know before you go, including ticket prices, what to expect, and whether I think it’s actually worth the visit.

My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

Planning Your Visit to Hello Kitty Island

Getting around Jeju Island can be pretty easy if you’ve already been exploring other areas of South Korea. The main difference between the mainland of South Korea and Jeju Island is that there’s no subway system on Jeju, meaning that unless you have a rental car you’ll need to use the public bus system (which covers most of the island) or a ride service like KakaoT or Uber. Because you’ll likely be navigating with maps on your phone, I highly recommend downloading NAVER Maps or Kakao Maps before your trip. Most public buses in Korea tend to avoid using cash now, so before you want to board your first bus I recommend stopping by a convenience store like GS25 and picking up a refillable T-money or Bee Card to use. They’re super easy to use, and they’re refillable – just tap on when you board the bus and tap off when you get off. One ride on the public bus ranges from 1,200₩ to 3,000₩ depending on how far you end up going.

If you’re visiting for more than just the day then you’ll likely also need a place to stay. I recommend either choosing to stay on the North end of the island in Jeju City or on the South end of the island in Seogwipo. These are the two largest cities on the island and they’ll have the most options with easy access to public transportation. Personally, I recommend Seogwipo only because it’s closer to Hello Kitty Island and after visiting both areas, Seogwipo seemed to have more things to do – like visiting all the famous waterfalls. However, Jeju City is where the island’s main airport is, so it’s really up to your personal preferences. Either way, it takes about 2-3 hours to go between the two cities via public transportation. Some hotels on Jeju Island have two room types available – traditional Korean rooms that come with a mattress pad for sleeping on the floor, and westernized rooms that will have your typically elevated beds.

Hello Kitty Island is located somewhat near the center of Jeju Island. Because there’s a lot to see inside with multiple interactive exhibits, I recommend planning to spend about 2-3 hours there. Currently adult admission tickets are 16,000₩, with extra charges inside if you want something from the cafe or gift shop. There’s lots of unique things to see inside, and even though there’s a lot of collectors pieces – there’s also lots of interactive exhibits that are perfect for families with kids. Think a movie room, outdoor area, playground, coloring stations, and playrooms. Personally, I think it’s perfect for couples, families with young kids, or any Sanrio/Hello Kitty fan – especially on a rainy day.

What to Expect at Hello Kitty Island

Before you visit Hello Kitty Island, you’ll want to get your tickets first. Currently admission tickets for adults are 16,000₩, tickets for teens and students are 15,000₩ and tickets for young kids are 13,000₩. If you’re unable to get them ahead of time, you can usually get them right at the door without worrying too much about them selling out for the day.

Inside you’ll find multiple floors in the museum, including an adorable Hello Kitty themed cafe, multiple interactive exhibits, a 3D theater where you can watch a short Hello Kitty & Friends film (in Korean), and of course a gift shop. Everything is so on theme that even inside the bathrooms you’ll see Hello Kitty shaped mirrors. As you walk through the various exhibits, you’ll see all kinds of Hello Kitty history, decor, and memorabilia – think Hello Kitty hanboks, an entire Hello Kitty bedroom, and even an outdoor Hello Kitty exhibit where you can take life size photos with different Sanrio characters. When you eventually make it to the Hello Kitty Cafe on the top floor, you can even find fun Hello Kitty themed drinks and cakes. They were incredibly cute, but I found them much sweeter than I expected – with most of the flavor coming from the overwhelming amount of frosting.

So, after reading all that information you might still be wondering if a stop at Hello Kitty Island is actually worth it while you’re in Jeju. If you’re a huge Hello Kitty or Sanrio fan, then yes, I definitely think Hello Kitty Island is worth visiting. Between the interactive exhibits, themed photo spots, adorable café, and gift shop, it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring everything. It’s also a great choice for families with young children thanks to the interactive play areas, so don’t be surprised to see lots of little kids running around. That said, if you’re only visiting Jeju for a short time and aren’t particularly interested in Sanrio characters, I’d prioritize some of the island’s incredible natural attractions first – like the waterfalls and lava tubes. Personally, I think Hello Kitty Island makes for a great rainy day activity or a fun, unique addition to a slower day on your itinerary. Just be sure to leave enough time if you’re taking public transportation, and don’t forget to stop by the cafe for one of their adorable desserts before you leave.



Comments

Leave a Reply

Discover more from DEBORAH IN KOREA

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading