Pejaten Village, Tabanan: Roof Tiles, Tanteri Ceramics and Pottery Classes near Tanah Lot

West of Tabanan town, about 20 minutes from Tanah Lot, lies a village that has literally put roofs over Bali’s homes and temples. Pejaten Village in Kediri District has been known for generations as a centre for roof tiles, earthenware, terracotta and ceramics. Pejaten is not a ticketed tourist village—it is a working craft community, and that is exactly its charm.

History of Pejaten Tiles and Ceramics

According to villagers’ accounts recorded by tatkala.co, the first roof tiles here were made by Pekak Rena around 1942, during the Japanese occupation. Tiles were once ordered a year ahead and paid for with rice. Press machines arrived through a government programme in 1982, and a ceramics industry grew from the mid-1980s under village leader I Made Tanteri—the name now carried by the Tanteri Museum of Ceramic Art (founded 2011).

• Roof tiles are still fired in traditional wood-fuelled gerombong kilns for up to about 12 hours.
• Pejaten ceramics are known for flora-and-fauna ornaments and soft glazes such as moss green and jade.
• In August 2026, Bali Post reported that premium clay is getting scarce, pushing some artisans to switch to Balinese-motif terracotta.

What to Do in Pejaten

• Tanteri Museum of Ceramic Art in Banjar Simpangan, near the Nyitdah border: earthenware and ceramics from Pejaten and other regions. The Ministry of Culture’s museum registry lists it as open 08:00–17:00 with free entry.
• Pottery classes: the Tanteri studio offers workshops on electric wheels, from preparing clay to shaping, decorating and glazing. Pieces must be fired first, so ask how to collect yours. Prices are not published—book ahead.
• Shopping for ceramic tableware at the Tanteri gallery and factory shop, or terracotta straight from home workshops.
• Walking the village lanes to see tiles drying and kilns smoking; ask permission before entering a yard or taking photos.

Best Time and Route

• Come in the morning to early afternoon (around 08:00–15:00) when artisans are working; avoid holy days such as Galungan and Nyepi.
• From Tanah Lot about 20 minutes via Kediri; from Canggu 45–60 minutes; from Ubud about 1–1.5 hours.
• Bring cash, wear closed shoes because kiln areas are dusty, and ask for ceramics to be packed well for your luggage.

Practical Info & Reservations

• Location: View on Google Maps
• Reservations: for a village walk and the museum, just turn up; for a pottery class, contact the Tanteri Museum/Studio in advance.
• Instagram: @museumtanteri
• Hours & costs: museum 08:00–17:00, free entry; parking in the studio yard or village lane, usually free; ask directly for class prices.

Pejaten pairs perfectly with a late afternoon at Tanah Lot. Staying in Tabanan or Canggu with an AccessiaPass hotel voucher lets you enjoy this clay village at an easy pace, without watching the clock.