After the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, we wanted to discover another side of Indonesia. Our next stop took us to Jepara, a small coastal town renowned for its craftsmanship, via Semarang. More than just a journey, this day would become one of our fondest memories of Java.

Crossing Java by train: a unique experience

Leaving Jakarta also means leaving the hustle and bustle of the capital.

We board a train from the KAI (Kereta Api Indonesia) company, heading for Semarang.

We expected a classic journey…

The surprise was complete.

The seats are spacious, air-conditioned, comfortable and perfectly maintained. Honestly, we had never traveled on such a pleasant train before, even in Europe.

For almost five hours, it was impossible to get tired of the scenery.

The big cities gradually give way to a lush countryside where rice fields seem to stretch to infinity.

Villages appear in the distance, palm trees line the tracks and, from time to time, a few buffaloes are still working in the fields.

For the children, the show is constant.

Between two landscapes, they observe the houses, the motorbikes crossing the level crossings and the many travelers getting on at each station.

Even a little nap was part of the journey.

Some tips if you are traveling by train in Java

If you plan to cross Java, we strongly recommend the train.

Why?

• The landscapes are magnificent.
• The journeys are comfortable.
• The prices are very affordable.
• The stations are well organized.
• It's an excellent way to discover the country differently.

Just remember to book your tickets a few days in advance, especially during holiday periods.

An unexpected encounter thanks to Gojek

Upon our arrival in Semarang, a first mission awaits us: finding something to eat.

Then comes the time to go to Jepara.

Like many Indonesians, we now use Gojek, an application that quickly becomes indispensable during a trip.

You can book almost everything: meals, scooters, cars, deliveries…

This time, it's a car that takes us for almost two hours to Jepara.

Our driver, Roy, turns out to be particularly friendly.

During the conversation, he even introduces us to his French brother-in-law, who lives in Jepara where he works in the export of teak furniture.

An improbable encounter that perfectly illustrates what we love about travel: the best stories are often those we hadn't planned.

Jepara, a peaceful interlude

At the end of the day, we finally arrive at The Gecho Inn Country.

The contrast with Jakarta is striking.

Here, no more incessant traffic.

Only rice fields, flowering trees, a few furniture workshops and an incredibly peaceful atmosphere.

We discover a small house just for us, nestled in a tropical garden.

Geckos are everywhere.

Impossible not to think of our friend Maultess, who would certainly have loved to count them one by one!

The children immediately dive into the pool while we finally enjoy a moment of calm.

Anaïs chooses a mojito.

Julien opts for a local beer.

The children enjoy a freshly squeezed orange juice.

Sometimes, happiness simply means an unplanned end to the day.

Hospitality that makes all the difference

What strikes us most is, once again, the welcome.

The hotel staff are incredibly kind.

They take the time to advise us, answer all our questions and even help us book our boat to Karimun Jawa.

When traveling, it is often these small touches that transform a simple accommodation into a real memory.

Next stop: Karimun Jawa

Tomorrow morning, a new adventure begins.

As the fast boat is under maintenance, we will finally embark on the slow ferry.

More than four hours of navigation await us to reach the archipelago of Karimun Jawa, a small, still preserved paradise north of Java.

The excitement is already there.

We can't wait to discover these islands everyone is talking about.

Our tips for this stop

❤️ Our favorite

The train journey between Jakarta and Semarang.

It is probably one of the most beautiful ways to discover Java.

Our advice

Download Gojek as soon as you arrive in Indonesia.

The application is extremely practical for booking a car, ordering a meal or organizing your travels.

Our accommodation

The Gecho Inn Country is an excellent address if you wish to stay in Jepara in a quiet environment, in the heart of the rice fields.

What we would do differently

In retrospect, we probably would have spent an extra day in Jepara.

The city is often considered just a stopover before Karimun Jawa, but it deserves to take the time to discover its craftsmanship, its furniture workshops and its much more authentic atmosphere than the big tourist cities.

Practical information

Location: Semarang & Jepara – Java, Indonesia

Transport: KAI train from Jakarta then Gojek car

Journey time: approximately 7 hours (train + road)

With children: excellent stop, very relaxing

Budget: very affordable, both for the train and for car journeys

This trip inspired us

Crossing Java by train reminded us that travel is not just about the destination.

Sometimes, the most beautiful memories are simply born from a landscape seen through the window, an unexpected encounter or an accommodation lost in the middle of rice fields.

It is this way of traveling, slower, more attentive and more human, that now nourishes the world of JUMAA.

Each collection draws its inspiration from these simple moments that give meaning to the adventure.