Set Aside My Self in Tranquility

When one enters the Meditation Hall in Museum SAN, a building complex designed by architect Tadao Ando, one is brought face-to-face with a space that dominates by its mere presence. In this spherical space, where no corners can be seen, one finds one’s rest and meets the “inner self”.

Located in Oak Valley, Wonju, Museum SAN is situated 275 meters high on the mountain. SAN refers to the location and is also a combination word between Space, Art and Nature. Since it is a space that blends in art and nature, visitors are reminded of the meaning of mountain after exploring the space. The meditation hall, which opened in 2019, is a warm and cozy space of comfort for the modern men who live busy lives.

We cannot leave out architecture when talking about the museum. Tadao Ando, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Museum SAN, one of his creations, gifted the meditation hall with a drawing. The meditation hall starts at the stone garden with nine stone mounds, modeled after Silla period's ancient tombs, and moves down tracing the staircases. The light that enters through the window creates bright lines and soft shadows on the floor of the dorm-shaped space.

Viewing the entire space from the center of the deeper part of the meditation hall, one feels like facing the eyes of God. You grow solemn and it feels like the sun, shadow, and you inside the space finally all fall into place. It feels like inside a tomb, both comfortable and cozy. Some say that it feels like being inside the womb. Many meditate in this space. People find rest and listen to the voice of their mind, which they had ignored for being busy. The sound of nature heard from the outside is very attractive. You can hear even the sound of leaves that fall by the wind landing on the roof.

The Many Paths of a Trip to Discover Oneself

The other name of the meditation hall is “Trip to Discover Oneself.” Tadao Ando hoped that the many visitors would find the joy of encountering one’s unique universe. The meditation hall prepared various regular and special programs to assist visitors in the journey to discover oneself. Regular programs include meditation that listens to the sound of nature, rest meditation that relaxes the body through breathing and simple motions, singing bowl silent meditation and voice healing meditation to make sounds and listen to one’s own voice. They are conducted in 30 minutes sessions from 10:45 am until 5:15 pm. The theme changes slightly depending on the season.

If you want to enjoy in-depth meditation with famous meditation leaders from Korea and over the world or wish to stay longer at the beautiful meditation hall, participate in the special meditation program. The special meditation program conducted betweeen 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm every Saturday seeks to explore the various modes of meditation. Our repertory includes fragrance mediation using aroma oil, yoga and meditation, singing bowl meditation and flower mandara, awareness detox meditation, sound therapy and gigong, and self-love meditation for the relationship with self.

Special programs may be subject to change depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic requirements.

There is a special space within Museum SAN: the James Turrell exhibition hall. James Turrell is an artist known as the one who "paints with light”, and the James Turrell exhibition hall is a space where you can enjoy meditation or deep thought in the world of sky and light created by Turrell. The Skyspace, which is opened to the sky, is a space reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome. When approaches the sky with a calm heart, one often finds oneself face-to-face with the inner self. After that,one can simply communicate with one’s inner self in the mystical space created by dancing lights.

Things To Do

Mireuksan Mountain

This mountain is straight out of Eastern paintings, populated by mysterious rock formations and ancient pine trees.
∇ Yongamdongmak-gil, Gwirae-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do

Wonju Hanji Theme Park

This cultural park serves as an exhibition space for hanji craft, papers made according to traditional methods in Korea, and a site of learning and experience for the hanji culture.
∇ 151, Hanjigongwon-gil, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do

Miro Market

This art market is no longer a place dedicated only to the transaction of art: it has become a cultural space for the people of the region.
∇ 6, Jungangsijang-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do

Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge

This is the longest pedestrian bridge in Korea to be located in a mountainous area, standing at a height equivalent to a 40-story apartment.
∇ 12, Sogeumsan-gil, Jijeong- myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do