Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets is a museum in Tegal Bingin, near Ubud, with more than 1,300 masks and 5,700 puppets from Indonesia and other parts of the world. The collection is displayed in traditional wooden buildings set among gardens, ponds and shaded paths. Look for Balinese Barong Landung puppets and Kamasan paintings, alongside objects from places including China, Japan and Europe. The quiet grounds give you room to explore at your own pace, and admission is free.
A collection spread across wooden houses
Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets was established to preserve traditional Indonesian cultural objects and give visitors a place to learn about them. In 2004, Agustinus Prayitno brought five antique joglo houses from Central and East Java to Bali and reassembled them as part of the museum. The buildings now hold a collection of more than 1,300 masks and 5,700 puppets.
The objects come from across the Indonesian archipelago and beyond. Indonesian pieces sit alongside examples from countries and regions including China, Japan, Europe, Africa and Latin America. The range makes this a useful stop if you want to see how varied mask-making and puppet traditions can be, rather than focus on one local style alone.
What to look for inside
Among the collection, look for Barong Landung puppets and Kamasan paintings. Masks, puppets and related displays are arranged across separate exhibition spaces, with information provided alongside objects to explain their cultural context. The collection includes works connected with performance, storytelling and ritual traditions.
Some exhibition halls are housed in preserved or traditional wooden buildings. Their architecture is part of the visit: the displays are not confined to one single gallery, so you move between distinct houses as you explore. The spread-out layout also gives the visit a slower rhythm than a walk through one large exhibition room.
Gardens and grounds
The museum’s exhibition buildings are linked by landscaped grounds with gardens, ponds and shaded walkways. You can pause outdoors between galleries and take in the setting before continuing to the next collection. The grounds are quiet, and the separate buildings leave space to explore at your own pace.
Setia Darma is in Tegal Bingin, in the Sukawati area of Gianyar Regency. It lies about 2 km northeast of the main Mas crossroads, outside central Ubud. Plan the drive as part of your outing; a car or ride-hailing service can make the trip easier.
Planning your visit
Admission is free, and the collection rewards a measured visit rather than a quick circuit. Around an hour is a reasonable starting point if you want to see the main displays and walk through the grounds. If masks and puppetry are a particular interest, leave more time to read the information and look closely at the objects.
The museum is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Gianyar has pleasant weather throughout the year, with October to March noted as a good period to visit. Check the museum’s website before setting out for current visitor information.
FAQ
Is admission to Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets free?
Yes. Admission is free.
How long should I spend at the museum?
Around an hour is a useful estimate for seeing the collection and walking through the grounds.
What can you see at Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets?
The collection includes more than 1,300 masks and 5,700 puppets from Indonesia and other parts of the world. Look for Barong Landung puppets and Kamasan paintings.
How do you get to the museum from Ubud?
The museum is in Tegal Bingin, about 2 km northeast of the main Mas crossroads. A car or ride-hailing service can help with the trip from Ubud.
