Visiting Yogyakarta feels incomplete if you only check out the tourist spots or try the local food. As a region rich in culture and traditions, Yogyakarta offers unique and exciting traditional activities you shouldn’t miss.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to 7 must-try traditional activities in Yogyakarta. These include making batik, crafting silver jewelry, archery, learning Javanese dance and gamelan music, cooking traditional dishes and much more.
So, what are you waiting for? Here’s a quick guide to what to do when visiting Yogyakarta!
Backindo Tip: When looking for local activities, we usually turn to platforms like GetYourGuide, Traveloka, or Klook. These platforms let you browse reviews from people who’ve already tried the workshops, making it easier to choose something truly worth your time.
Batik-Making Workshop
You can join a batik-making class, which is widely available in Yogyakarta. Batik is a traditional Javanese fabric made by drawing patterns using wax and a tool called canting. It is a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO as a treasure of Indonesian culture.
Batik patterns aren’t random; many have deep meanings and philosophies. By joining a batik workshop, you’ll not only learn how to create batik but also discover the stories behind its beautiful patterns, especially those unique to Yogyakarta.
During the workshop, you’ll get all the tools you need to create batik, such as a plain white cloth, a canting, and wax. The first step is to sketch a pattern on the cloth with a pencil. Once the pattern is ready, you’ll apply the melted wax using the canting to follow the lines you’ve drawn.
After completing the design, you’ll color the fabric by dipping it into natural dyes. Finally, the wax is removed in a process called nglorod, where the cloth is boiled.
Want to learn more about batik? We’ve covered it in detail in this article Batik: Traditional Indonesian Fabric
Joining a batik-making class is an enjoyable experience. You can express your creativity by designing your own batik patterns, learn about the philosophy behind them, and immerse yourself in Javanese culture.
Here are some recommendations for reliable batik workshops in Yogyakarta:
Silver Craft Workshop
Another exciting activity is learning how to make silver crafts, a specialty of Kotagede, Yogyakarta. Kotagede was once the center of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom before the establishment of the Yogyakarta Palace. While learning silver crafting here, you can also explore historical buildings that reflect the glory of the Mataram Kingdom.
A silver workshop typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. You’ll learn to create simple silver crafts, starting with cutting materials, decorating, soldering, and polishing the silver under the guidance of an instructor. The best part? You can take home the silver piece you create as a unique souvenir.
Here are some recommendations for silver crafting workshops in Kotagede, Yogyakarta:
Traditional Dance and Gamelan Music Lessons
Learning traditional dance and gamelan music is another popular activity among tourists. Gamelan is a traditional art form that involves playing instruments made from brass or copper, carefully designed to produce beautiful and soothing harmonies. Gamelan music often accompanies various performances, such as traditional dances, puppet shows (wayang), and theater.
As a city rich in culture, Yogyakarta also offers opportunities to learn traditional Javanese dance. You’ll wear a jarit (a batik fabric) and a sampur (a sash) while practicing. Many traditional dances in Yogyakarta feature slow and graceful movements, creating elegant gestures accompanied by the enchanting sound of gamelan music.
One place to try these workshops is the Sonobudoyo Museum, which often holds classes for traditional dance and gamelan music. Check their official account for updates.
You can also find other workshops in various locations around Yogyakarta. Here are some recommendations:
Jemparingan (Traditional Archery from Yogyakarta)
Jemparingan is a traditional archery style that originates from the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate, also known as the Mataram Yogyakarta style. This activity isn’t just about archery; it’s also a sport that helps improve concentration, patience, and focus.
What sets Jemparingan apart from modern archery is that it’s done while sitting cross-legged, symbolizing simplicity and balance. The goal is to shoot an arrow at a small target called bandulan or wong-wongan. Instead of relying on precise aim through sight, Jemparingan emphasizes intuition and feeling. The bows and arrows used are also traditional, made from wood and bamboo.
There are several places in Yogyakarta where you can try Jemparingan, such as Jemparingan Mataram in Prambanan, the Paguyuban Jemparingan Adiwinoto in Ngadiwinatan Village, and Kampung Wisata Dewi Tinalah in Tinalah Village, Kulon Progo.
Traditional Cooking Workshop
Another fun activity to try is joining a traditional cooking class. Indonesian cuisine, especially Javanese dishes, is known for its rich and flavorful spices.
In most cooking classes, you’ll start by visiting a traditional market to shop for fresh ingredients. The market tour itself is an enjoyable experience—you’ll find all sorts of ingredients, from vegetables and meats to spices and herbs.
Once the shopping is done, you’ll start preparing the dishes using the ingredients you’ve picked. These classes usually include a recipe sheet that you can take home, so you can recreate the flavors of Jogja whenever you miss it.
If cooking isn’t your thing, another option is to join a jamu-making class. Jamu is a traditional herbal drink from Javanese culture made with various spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, tamarind, and more. Jamu is not only refreshing but also packed with health benefits.
Here are some recommendations for cooking classes and jamu making class you can join in Yogyakarta:
Klook.comPottery Crafting Class
Yogyakarta is also famous for its pottery crafts made from clay. They use clay to create various cooking tools such as pots, drinking jugs, cups, as well as various crafts for souvenirs. One of the well-known areas in Yogyakarta for clay crafts is Kasongan, located in Bantul, Yogyakarta.
You can learn to make pottery directly there. Additionally, some places offer pottery-making workshops, and you can usually take your creations home as souvenirs.
Information about pottery-making classes can be found below:
Klook.comBathok (Coconut Shell) Crafting Class
As a tropical country, Indonesia is one of the largest coconut producers in the world. You can easily find coconuts sold here at very affordable prices. The Yogyakarta region, rich in coconut resources, utilizes leftover coconut shells (bathok) to create handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Still in the Bantul area, you can also explore the art of crafting items from coconut shells. While the process can be quite messy, don’t worry – if you aren’t interested, you can skip the initial steps of cleaning the coconut shells and smoothing them with sandpaper. Once the shells are prepared, the pieces are tied together with special threads and transformed into beautiful creations like bags, fruit bowls, and more.
One of the well-known coconut shell crafters in Yogyakarta is Yanti Bathok Craft, a popular place for training workshops.
Those are the 7 traditional activities you can try in Yogyakarta. Activities like these will not only bring excitement but also give you a deeper appreciation of Javanese culture. They’ll surely add to your unforgettable experiences during your visit to Yogyakarta!
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