Gunsan’s Port Financial History Through the Former Gunsan Branch of the Bank of Joseon, Built in 1923
The Gunsan Modern Architecture Museum is housed in the former Gunsan Branch of the Bank of Joseon, built in 1923. Through the building and its exhibitions, visitors can explore the history of finance and rice exploitation during the Japanese colonial period. It is easy to plan a walking route by visiting it together with the Gunsan Modern History Museum and Jinpo Maritime Theme Park.
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How the 1923 Joseon Bank Gunsan Branch Became the Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall
The current building is the former Joseon Bank Gunsan Branch, constructed in 1923. At the time, it was a representative financial facility operated by Japanese colonial authorities for colonial rule and functioned as a major institution involved in the exploitation of Korea’s rice during the Japanese colonial period.
After liberation, it was also used as a Bank of Korea and Hanil Bank building, and is known as the bank that appears in Chae Man-sik’s novel Takryu. Following repair and restoration work in 2008, the building has operated as the present-day Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall, meaning that its current exhibition function resulted from changing the use of a former financial institution building.>
An Exhibition Hall Featuring Japanese Colonial-Era Currency and Gunsan Architecture Miniatures
The exhibition hall presents miniatures of Gunsan’s modern buildings and currency from the Japanese colonial period. Historical artifacts are also displayed, making this a place to connect Gunsan’s urban formation and financial history indoors rather than simply photographing the building exterior and leaving.
The programs listed in official tourism information are viewing Gunsan’s modern buildings, Japanese colonial-era currency, and historical exhibitions. The available facility is the exhibition hall, and the listed eligible age for activities is “everyone.” However, information about English Information notice, an audio guide, photography-prohibited areas, and the extent of public access could not be confirmed from publicly available information.>
The Difference Between Winter Hours of 09:00–17:00 and Summer Hours of 09:00–18:00
According to Gunsan City tourism information, operating hours are 09:00–17:00 in winter and 09:00–18:00 in summer. Closed days are every Monday, January 1, and any day designated as a closure day by the market. Some public tourism information also lists the venue as open year-round, so when choosing a visit date, it is safer to prioritize the operating standards in Gunsan City’s official information.
The inquiry telephone number for the Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall is 063-454-3274, and the official information page is https://www.gunsan.go.kr/tour/m2338/view/1379526. A current official fee schedule could not be confirmed, while a 2019 press release introduced a combination ticket covering the Gunsan Modern History Museum, Jinpo Maritime Theme Park, Modern Architecture Hall, and Gunsan Modern Art Museum at 3,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for teenagers, and 1,000 won for children.>
How Visitors from Outside the Area Can Reach 214 Haemang-ro in Jangmi-dong
The address is 214 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State (Jangmi-dong). Since exact travel times and bus route numbers from Gunsan Station or the Gunsan Intercity Bus Terminal could not be confirmed from public information, the simplest approach is to show the place name and address to a taxi driver at the station or terminal.
Map information indicates that Naehang Sageori Bus Stop is approximately 160 m away and Yesu Oriental Medicine Hospital Bus Stop is approximately 170 m away. However, the bus route numbers for both stops could not be confirmed. When walking, you may also set the Gunsan Modern History Museum as your destination; the architecture hall is 0.3 km from the museum.>
A Walking Route Starting from the Gunsan Modern History Museum Parking Lot
Visitors arriving by car are directed to use the Gunsan Modern History Museum parking lot or the Jinpo Maritime Park parking lot. The address of the Gunsan Modern History Museum parking lot is 32 Naehang 2-gil, Gunsan-si (Jangmi-dong). The number of available parking spaces and parking fees could not be confirmed from public information.
Nearby attractions include Jinpo Maritime Theme Park at 0.1 km, Gunsan Modern Art Museum at 0.2 km, the former Japanese warehouse in Jangmi-dong at 0.2 km, and Gunsan Modern History Museum at 0.3 km. Since actual walking times for each distance and the distance from the ticket office to the exhibition space are not provided, it is advisable to allow extra travel time in your itinerary.>
How to Learn the Building’s Context Through the 10:00–12:00 Modern Road Commentary Tour
Modern Road Course A, departing from the entrance of the Gunsan Modern History Museum, takes no more than two hours and includes the Gunsan Modern History Museum, Honam Customs Museum, Jangmi Gallery, Gunsan Modern Art Museum, Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall, and Jinpo Maritime Theme Park. It is a good format for understanding several modern buildings around the harbor together rather than viewing only the architecture hall quickly.
The commentary sessions are listed as 10:00–12:00, 10:30–12:30, 13:30–15:30, and 14:30–16:30. Participants must arrive 10 minutes before departure. They may join by visiting on the day without advance reservation, and the commentary is free. Guided tours accompanied by cultural tourism commentators are unavailable on Mondays; the inquiry telephone number is 063-454-3338.>
Expanding a Visit of About 30 Minutes into a Three-Hour Modern Street Tour
Review information suggests that a visit to the Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall takes approximately 30 minutes. Although the exhibition hall itself can be explored quickly, visitors who want to read about the currency, artifacts, and miniatures and also see the surrounding buildings may consider the Modern Road Course A itinerary of no more than two hours or Gunsan City’s three-hour Modern Street Tour.
Gunsan City Premium Tour A is listed as a two-hour course and includes the Gunsan Modern Architecture Hall and Jinpo Maritime Park. Stroller rental is unavailable, and pets are reportedly not permitted. Information about wheelchair access routes, elevators, and cash payments could not be confirmed from public information. Some materials list credit-card payment as “not available,” so it is advisable to prepare payment methods in advance.>
Before You Go
- Address
- 214 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State (Jangmi-dong)
- Hours
- Winter 09:00–17:00 / Summer 09:00–18:00
- Closed
- Every Monday, January 1, and any day designated as a closure day by the market
- Admission
- A current official fee schedule could not be confirmed. The combination ticket in an old press release was 3,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for teenagers, and 1,000 won for children.
- Phone
- 063-454-3274
- Official site
- https://www.gunsan.go.kr/tour/m2338/view/1379526
- Transport
- Guidance recommends using the Gunsan Modern History Museum parking lot or Jinpo Maritime Park parking lot. Naehang Sageori Bus Stop is approximately 160 m away, and Yesu Oriental Medicine Hospital Bus Stop is approximately 170 m away.
- Parking
- Use nearby parking facilities: the Gunsan Modern History Museum and Jinpo Maritime Park parking lots. Parking fees could not be confirmed.
- Time needed
- Approximately 30 minutes, based on reviews
- Accessibility
- No stroller rental. Wheelchair access routes and elevator availability could not be confirmed.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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Gunsan Modern Art MuseumAn art museum exhibiting modern art in the former building of Japan’s 18th Bank. -
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Gunsan Modern History MuseumA museum showcasing Gunsan’s modern history and maritime culture
Food & Dining 3
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Myeongdong SobaA specialty noodle restaurant in Gunsan featuring buckwheat soba as its signature dish. -
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A 2.5-Hour Walking Route Tracing Colonial Exploitation, Starting at Gunsan Inner Harbor
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