Just a few kilometers from Banyuwangi town, at the foothills of the misty Ijen Plateau, lies a village where time seems to flow differently. Kemiren Village, home to the indigenous Osing people, is not just a tourist destination — it’s a living museum of culture, tradition, and resilience.
In 2025, this small East Javanese village earned global recognition after being included in the UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme, making it one of only 72 villages worldwide to receive the honor. But for the people of Kemiren, the award is not the point. What truly matters is keeping their identity alive in a fast-changing world
As the sun rises over the rice fields, the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air. Women in sarongs sweep their front yards, and the sound of angklung paglak — a bamboo instrument — echoes softly from a nearby home.
For the Osing community, every corner of the village tells a story. Traditional houses with tall bamboo walls and thatched roofs line the narrow lanes. Many still feature bale-bale, wooden benches where neighbors gather for coffee and conversation.
Unlike typical tourist villages that recreate tradition for show, Kemiren’s culture is lived naturally. It’s part of daily life — in the language they speak, the food they share, and the rituals they perform together.
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Where Every Day Feels Like a Festival
Life in Kemiren follows the rhythm of cultural ceremonies. One of the most spectacular is Tumpeng Sewu, which means “a thousand rice cones.” Once a year, hundreds of families place pyramid-shaped rice offerings along the main street. As dusk falls, the villagers gather to eat together in gratitude and harmony — a ritual symbolizing togetherness and prosperity.
Then there’s the Ngopi Sepuluh Ewu festival, literally translated as Ten Thousand Cups of Coffee. It’s exactly what it sounds like — a massive celebration where visitors and locals share free cups of traditional Osing coffee while chatting in the open air. The event, which started as a simple community gathering, has become one of Banyuwangi’s most anticipated festivals, drawing visitors from across Indonesia and abroad.
Tradition Meets Sustainability
Kemiren’s recognition by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) didn’t come by chance. The selection process looked at several factors: sustainability, local value chains, infrastructure, and community engagement. Out of 270 villages from 65 countries, Kemiren stood out for how it balances tourism and tradition.
Visitors don’t just come to see — they come to take part. Local families run Osing-style homestays, inviting travelers to experience their way of life. Guests can join cooking classes, learn traditional dances like Gandrung, or visit small batik workshops that use natural dyes.
Money from tourism stays in the community, helping maintain the cultural landscape while providing economic opportunities.
A Journey Beyond Sightseeing
For travelers, Kemiren offers an experience far deeper than just taking photos. You might start your day by sharing breakfast with your host family — rice, sambal, and of course, a cup of locally roasted Osing coffee.
By mid-morning, stroll to the Kampoeng Osing Market, where you’ll find crafts, woven bamboo art, and sweet traditional snacks. As you explore, don’t be surprised if someone offers you a seat and another cup of coffee. Hospitality here is spontaneous and sincere.
Stay until evening, and you may witness a Gandrung performance — a graceful, hypnotic dance accompanied by traditional gamelan music. The Gandrung is more than entertainment; it’s a symbol of gratitude to Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility and prosperity.
How to Visit
Kemiren Village is located about 15 minutes from Banyuwangi city and 30 minutes from the base of Mount Ijen. Most visitors combine it with an Ijen Crater hike or a trip to Baluran National Park.
- Best time to visit: April to October (dry season), when festivals and rituals are most active.
- Where to stay: Traditional homestays in the village (around IDR 300,000–500,000 per night).
- What to do: Attend festivals, visit the cultural market, try Osing coffee, join workshops, or simply wander through the rice fields.
A Living Heritage
In many ways, Kemiren represents what tourism could be — not a disruption, but a dialogue between visitors and locals. Here, modern travelers don’t just take photos; they exchange stories.
As night falls and the village quiets under a sky of fireflies, the faint sound of music lingers in the distance. Somewhere, a family gathers for coffee again — the same way their ancestors did centuries ago.
Kemiren may be a small dot on the map, but it carries the heart of East Java. And for those who visit, it leaves something more than memories — it leaves a sense of belonging. (Wage Erlangga)
