6 Must-Have Signature Souvenirs from YOGYAKARTA
Are you going to Yogyakarta soon for your next holiday? Then be prepared for an awesome trip ahead, where you can enjoy the warmth of locals, a rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. If you haven't done your research on what to bring home from this ancient city, don't worry. Besides Batik materials or dresses, of which you have a wide choice from the simple to the exotic, here's a short list of other top picks to hunt as mementos from lovely Yogyakarta.
1 | Silver jewelry and miniature landmarks
Photo source: www.etsy.com
Kotagede in Yogyakarta is famous for its silver artisans. Here you can find sterling silver trinkets of earrings, necklaces, brooches, rings, and bracelets as well as a stunning three dimensional miniatures of iconic items here. Fancy a silver wayang, or a miniature of Borobudur temple? Prices start from Rp250 thousand. You can even buy a pre-ordered custom-made metal helmet made of aluminum and brass at Rp 1.2 million, copper (Rp 1.35 million or silver starting (Rp 28 million). How cool is that! In the studios you can also watch how these lovely silver trinkets are crafted,
Come visit "Kotagede Silver" on Jl Kemasan 26, Kotagede, Yogyakarta or check http://www.tokoperakkotagede.com for details.
2 | High quality leather bags
Photo source: www.tripadvisor.com/kaula_leather_workshop-yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is also known for its high quality leather products. Bags, shoes, belts, suitcases and wearable jewelry pieces are only some of many creative products made by the local artisans. There are plenty of places to buy them, but Kaula Leather is special as they also offer you a chance to join a leather-making workshop, so you can make your very own leather piece. The choice of courses are many, according to what you are interested to learn and your time of stay in Yogyakarta. Workshop fees vary from Rp 350 thousand to Rp 3.5 million but you need to book in advance for participant confirmation, happy crafting!
Visit "Kaula Leather" on Jalan Jaya Darma No 36.B Tirtonirmolo - jl Bugisan Selatan Kasihan, Bantul, Yogyakarta. And go to http://www.kaula-leather.com for further information.
3 | Wooden Batik masterpieces
Photo source: www.edededan.com
Batik is the signature of Javanese heritage. Its form varies through time and technology. But the people in Krebet Village are specialized in producing wooden batik. They turn various carved wood items into lovely batik masterpieces that are unique and classy. Most of them are used for home décor centerpieces as well as everyday utensils such as dining sets, trays and tissue boxes. Prices start from Rp 30 thousand. Find your favorite items fast, and don't forget to bargain with the vendors!
Ask your local driver to take you to Krebet Village in Sendangsari, Pajangan, Bantul , Yogyakarta to explore the area.
4 | The Weave of Lurik
Photo source: www.bloggunungkidul.wordpress.com
Besides batik, Yogyakarta is also known for Lurik. You may find them as an outer long sleeve top worn by some andong horse carriage jockeys along Malioboro Street. The classic black-and-brown stripes made from a rougher cotton, used to be the Javanese attire for locals living in the villages. Today they come in plenty of color choices and fine quality fabrics, all maintaining the principle of thin stripes motives. The colorful lurik pieces nowadays are used as accents on suits, bags, upholstery and even wedding dresses. Some are still made with traditional eco-friendly natural dye and fine handmade weaves, while others use a variety of fabrics that are lighter, softer and more comfortable to wear. Prices start from Rp 35 thousand. Happy shopping!
Go to a lurik showroom at Krapyak Wetan No 133 Panggung Harjo Sewon Bantul or click http://www.kurnialurik.com/
5 | Stylish iconic T-shirts
Photo source: www.spotunik.com
As a city sprawled with a creative young generation, Yogya has its own iconic T-shirt "Dagadu". Established in 1994, Dagadu (which literally means 'your eyes!') is famous for its fun, cartoony T-shirt designs combined with witty copywriting. Oblongpedia, a sub-brand from Dagadu, specializes in T-shirts printed with information and history of specific characters or landmarks in Yogyakarta. Meanwhile, another sub-brand Pernak Pernik sells souvenirs in the form of keychains and sandals. These are definitely must-have from Yogya!
Come to their main showroom at Yogyatourium Dagadu-Djokja Jl. Gedongkuning Sel. No.128, Rejowinangun, Kotagede, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55172. And scroll through their latest products on http://dagadu.co.id/
6 | Chocolate bars
Photo source: www.indonesian-recipes.com
Indonesia is the world's third largest cocoa producer and in 2001, a Belgian gentleman saw the opportunity to create a fine quality chocolate in Yogyakarta, blended with the unique taste of local ingredients (one of the results: rendang chocolate). Joining forces with Indonesian creative minds and entrepreneurs, the three founded Coklat Monggo in 2005, a brand iconic to Yogyakarta's friendly gesture. They invented unique recipes, such as rendang chocolate. The regular 80-gram bars are priced Rp 37 thousand, while the gift sets vary as follows:
The Borobudur ginger 100-gram: Rp 45 thousand
Stupa box10 @ 9-gram: Rp 74 thousand
Punakawan 24 @ 5.5-gram: Rp 82 thousand
All variants 10 @ 40-gram: Rp 125 thousand
Souvenir of Java 3 @ 100-gram: Rp 125 thousand.
Some stores may sell them at different prices, so do ask before you make the purchase!
Lead your sweet tooth to Coklat Monggo's showroom on Jl. Tirtodipuran, Mantrijeron, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta and browse for detailed information on http://chocolatemonggo.com
Photo source of header banner: www.excellentjogjadriver.com
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