SAKA Museum — Attraction in Kuta Selatan

A Remarkable Cultural Experience at the Opening Event

I had the honour of being invited to the opening of SAKA Museum in July 2025, held at the AYANA Estate in Bali. It was an eye-opening and deeply moving experience that offered a fresh yet grounded perspective on Balinese culture and its artistic expressions.

📍 Location & Design Located within the lush grounds of AYANA Resort, the museum was designed by Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc., inspired by the idea of a floating moon over water. Surrounded by tropical gardens and serene ponds, the architecture blends beautifully with Bali’s natural landscape.

🧭 Philosophy & Name “SAKA” draws its name from the Balinese calendar and represents the connection between past, present, and future. The museum is built around the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana — harmony between people, nature, and the divine.

🖼️ Opening Exhibition The inaugural show, Walking Among the Giants, showcased ten monumental OGOH-OGOH figures created by local communities and emerging artists. One of the highlights was an 11-metre-tall Ravana effigy — a dramatic tribute to the spirit of Nyepi.

🏛️ Spaces & Facilities • East Gallery: A multifunctional indoor venue for up to 300 guests, perfect for exhibitions and VIP events. • SAKA Garden: An outdoor space with a floating stage for up to 400 people, offering breathtaking sunset views. • Accessibility features include lifts and inclusive restrooms.

📚 Collections & Experiences The Heritage Gallery and Knowledge Center houses rare Balinese lontar manuscripts, wariga calendars, gamelan instruments, and documentation of local rituals. Their Island of Bali Museum Trail invites guests to explore Balinese stories through guided activities and interactive quizzes.

🏆 Global Recognition In a short time, SAKA has earned prestigious accolades: • Named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024 • Recognised in the Prix Versailles as one of the world’s most beautiful museums in 2025 — the only one in Indonesia to do so.

🕒 Hours & Visit Info • Open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. • AYANA guests may visit for free via app booking; public visitors must RSVP in advance by email.

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Final Thoughts SAKA Museum is more than a venue — it’s a cultural sanctuary that reimagines how Balinese traditions are shared with the world. From the architecture to the curated exhibitions, everything felt intentional, respectful, and visually stunning.

👍 Highly recommended for: • Guests attending official events or cultural launches. • Anyone curious to experience Bali’s living traditions, art, and spirituality in a contemporary yet authentic way.

I’m grateful to have witnessed the opening — and I’m already looking forward to seeing how this space...

SAKA Museum's main theme is about the days and rituals leading to Nyepi, an important day of silence in Hinduism. The procession includes the Pengerupukan Day, where majestic and expertly crafted Ogoh-ogoh sculptures are paraded and burnt to ward off negative spirits. These Ogoh-ogoh made by experienced craftsmen are the main highlight of SAKA's collection. Their collection is quite concise; Ogoh ogoh, stone tatues, Balinese calendars, books, and Lontar scrolls. Most memorable to me was also watching their film about Nyepi procession at the auditorium (they have translations in Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese!) and seeing the first map ever of Bali in their library.

But the highlight of it all to me is having a pleasant tour with their hospitable gallery sitters; Satria, Anggi, and Vida who guided and shared their stories with me and my mother during my 2 visits. As a young Indonesian who didn't have a Balinese or Hindhu friend growing up, it was very fascinating and insightful to hear their stories of daily customs and traditions, to find out that they still live closely knitted with their culture to this day. The other staffs are also all friendly and helpful, making you feel at home and comfortable at the museum.

We tried their Museum Trail activity for an extra fee. The activity set comes with a booklet, pen, postcard, and sticker with it. We hunt clues in the museum's collection as explorers Miguel and Rosa (based on Miguel Covarrubias and his wife Rosa Rolando; both explorers who came to Bali and co-created The Island of Bali book!). Finishing the clue hunting activity was pretty quick, I think children & teenagers would enjoy this activity. The real joy though is getting a galllery sitter accompanying us throughout the activity because we get to talk with them about Balinese culture.

The interior and architecture of the museum are beautifully designed and their library is very comfortable, they have a locker room as well. They are currently building two other sections for their grand opening by the end of 2024 or early 2025. Thankyou and Matur Suksma for kindly...

A must-visit! Stunning new museum celebrating Balinese culture

Saka Museum at AYANA is hands down one of the most beautiful and thoughtfully curated museums I’ve ever visited in Bali. Even though it just recently opened, it’s already won awards—and it’s easy to see why the moment you step inside.

The architecture and interior design are absolutely stunning, blending traditional Balinese elements with a modern, elevated feel. Every detail feels intentional and respectful of the culture it represents.

The museum is packed with fascinating information about Balinese Hindu culture and heritage, from rituals and daily traditions to art, offerings, and spiritual beliefs. It’s incredibly educational without ever feeling overwhelming or too academic.

My favorite part was the Ogoh-Ogoh display on the second floor—there’s one that’s literally over 12 meters tall, and it’s jaw-dropping to see up close! The craftsmanship and meaning behind each piece are so well explained, making you appreciate them on a much deeper level.

Whether you’re staying at AYANA or just visiting, I super recommend making time to explore Saka Museum. It’s more than just a museum—it’s a beautifully immersive cultural experience that really...