What To Buy In Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

1. Kasongan Pottery

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A trip to Yogyakarta wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Kasongan village, where the Kayongan Pottery originated. There’s a legend that says about the villagers being exiled from their land and without land to till they resort to making pottery. Here, you’ll find stores, galleries, and workshops, which feature the Kayongan Pottery, and where you can also see and learn about the process of making one. Usually, it takes two to four days before it is finally up for painting. It also comes with lots of designs like horse, frog, and rooster motifs.

Kasongan Village

Address: Kasihan, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55184, Indonesia

2. Batik crafts

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Yogyakarta is famous for its traditional way of making Batik. Batik is a form of dyeing to form pattern and designs. In the village in Kribet, the locals specialized in creating wooden Batik. They transform carved wood into beautiful work of arts that are fancy and unique. These Batik products are perfect for home decors, centerpieces, dining sets, and more. Batik can also be in a form of textile. You can find these items in any market in Yogyakarta.

Batik & Craft Asia

Address: Jl. Malioboro No.191, Sosromenduran, Gedong Tengen, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55271, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 8:00am–12:00am

3. High-quality leather products

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Another famous souvenir in Yogyakarta is its high-quality leather products in the form of bags, shoes, belts, suitcases, and more. You can also find lots of creative product made of leather such as wearable jewelry pieces. These are only a few of the things a leather artisan can make here. If you are interested in the art of making a leather item, there are lots of workshops in town that will allow you to watch and see the process of making leather products.

As Java Genuine Leather

Address: Jalan Prewirotaman 29, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 8:00am - 05:00pm

Website: As Java Genuine Leather

4. Lurik clothing

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Aside from Batik, Yogyakarta is also known for the Lurik. Formerly, it is only villager traditional clothing with its rougher cotton and black and brown stripes design. Now, you’ll find them in different colors and design while maintaining the stripes pattern. Also, it now serves as an accent and accessories to bags, suits, and even on upholsteries. The price of a Lurik cloth starts from 35,000 IDR (2.40 USD). To get it at a cheaper price, you should try the art market in town and don’t forget to haggle.

Batik Winotosastro

Address: Jalan Tirtodipuran No.54, Mantrijeron, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55143, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 9:00am–5:00pm

Website: Batik Winotosastro

5. Golek or Kulit puppets

One of the most popular souvenirs you can buy in Yogyakarta is the Golek or a Kulit Puppet. These puppets are the leads in the show Wayang Kulit, a well-known puppet show that depicts stories about the Hindu legends, Islamic hero Amir Hamza, and more. A Golek is a three-dimensional wooden puppet while a Wayang Kulit is a leather puppet. These puppets are both used in Puppet Folk Theater in Indonesia and moved by a Dalang, who is the leader of the play. These are traditional dolls so expect them to have the local costumes and accessories.

Tjokrosuharto Arts & Crafts

Address: Jl. Panembahan No.58, Panembahan, Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55131, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 9:00am–8:30pm

Website: Tjokrosuharto Arts & Crafts

6. Brown monggo

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Being the third largest producer of cocoa in the world, Yogyakarta offers chocolate made with local ingredients, which resulted in the production of the rendang chocolate and more. If you’re in town, you shouldn’t miss this sweet treat as you wouldn’t find anything like it anywhere. It cost around 37, 000 IDR (2.54 USD) and the price varies with different stores. So make sure to practice your haggling skills, whenever possible. If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll find Museum Chocolate Monggo a sweet tooth’s heaven. Here, you’ll learn everything you want to learn about this treat, including the process of making one.

Chocolate Monggo

Address: Ambarrukmo Plaza, Lantai G, Jalan Laksda Adisucipto Km.6, Depok, Ambarukmo, Caturtunggal, Kec. Depok, Kabupaten >Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00am–10:00pm

Website: Chocolate Monggo

7. Bakpia

If you’re looking for a food souvenir that is delicious and doesn’t spoil quickly, then you have to bring back home Bakpia. It is a pastry made from dough that formerly has mungbean only filling, but today it comes in different flavors. The flavors include durian, chocolate, cheese, and more. The best place to buy this snack is in Pathok, where the Bakpia is first produced in Yogyakarta. In case you want to have it at a cheaper price, there are lots of street vendors selling Bakpia that taste the same with the branded ones. Make sure never to leave this city without a Bakpia in hand.

Bakpia Pathok 25

Address: Jalan AIP II KS Tubun, Jl. Bhayangkara Ng 1 No.504, Ngampilan, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55132, >Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00am–12:00am

8. Gudeg

You cannot leave Yogyakarta without trying Gudeg, a traditional Javanese food, made of unripe jackfruit, palm sugar, chicken, egg, and coconut milk. It has two kinds: dry and wet. The dry has little sauce and a little coconut milk, while the wet has more coconut milk. If you’re buying this as a souvenir, it is better to choose the dry Gudeg for it is more durable and can last three days.

Gudeg Yu Djum

Address: Jl. Kaliurang Km. 4,5 | Karangasem CT III/22, Indonesia

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 6:00am - 9:00pm

Website: Gudeg Yu Djum

9. Salak Pondoh

Salak Pondoh, which is also called snake fruit for its reddish-brown flaky exterior, is a significant symbol of Yogyakarta’s tourism. It is a fruit with white meat that has a sweet taste, likened to a dilute pineapple and lemon juice. It also has three superior types which are the pondoh super, pondoh hitam, and pondoh gading. It is very popular with the locals as well as the foreigners for its aroma and sweet taste.

Agen Salak Pondoh

Address: Jl. Magelang - Yogyakarta, Krakitan, Sucen, Salam, Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56484, Indonesia

10. Silver jewellery and crafts

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If you’re looking for silver jewelry or any crafts made of silver, then you have to head down to Kotagede, which is popular for its silversmiths. Here, you’ll find silver pieces of jewelry like earrings, necklace, bracelets, and more. You’ll also find three-dimensional, small versions of famous landmarks and items, in Indonesia, like the Borobudur Temple. In case you want them to customize your order, make sure to pre-order. You can also visit silver workshops and learn and see the process of producing silver items.

Kota Gede

Address: Kotagede, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Hello, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, with its famed traditional arts and beautiful cultural heritage, will surely make you coming back for more. Before leaving this astonishing city, make sure to buy something for your friends back home, they will want a token from Indonesia after all. You can use our list of what to buy in Yogyakarta for your guide.