The Culture of Incense: The Wafting Scents of an Ageless Pleasure

Incense is primarily made by mixing natural plant-derived scents. It lends rooms ambience to welcome guests and is used in grooming. Originally burned in prayer, it now enrichens everyday life in Kyoto. Kodo, or the way of incense, which arrived in Japan with Buddhism 1,500 years ago, has deep ties to the spiritual world. Aloeswood and other aromatic woods are cut to rice-sized pieces and appreciated following set protocols. Discover how incense is intertwined with the hearts of Kyotoites.