[京都] Kyoto Incense Making Workshop at Tenkodo Sagano Arashiyama

• Visit Tenkodo, a long-established incense maker known for its artisanal craftsmanship and natural ingredients.
• Enjoy a private hands-on session where you’ll create your own zukō (powdered incense) using traditional materials and techniques passed down since the Heian Period. In a quiet tatami room overlooking a Japanese garden, learn how incense played an important role in aristocratic life—not just as a fragrance, but as a form of self-expression and refinement.
• You’ll also hear about the history of incense, the use of imported fragrant woods, and the distinctive characteristics of each scent—all guided by a knowledgeable local artisan.
• Conclude the experience with a serene boating excursion, reminiscent of how Heian nobles spent their leisure time.

Tenkodo is a long-established incense manufacturer based near Kyoto’s Katsura Imperial Villa. All production—from selecting and grinding aromatic woods to blending—is done in-house by skilled artisans using only natural ingredients. Their handcrafted incense is highly regarded and even supplied to major Buddhist temples across Japan. At the Tenkodo Sagano Main Store in the scenic Arashiyama/Sagano area, visitors can enjoy a hands-on experience creating zukō—a powdered incense traditionally applied to the skin. Participants blend natural aromatic woods and herbs to make a personalized fragrance. The workshop is held in a quiet tatami room with a garden view, along with explanations about incense history and the materials used. The zukō can be taken home and used in everyday settings. It’s ideal for scenting clothes, refreshing car interiors, keeping in gym bags, or as a natural insect repellent. Some also use it before meditation or for personal wellness.