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.
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Kyoto Incense Making Workshop at Tenkodo Sagano Arashiyama
What's included in Kyoto Incense Making Workshop at Tenkodo Sagano Arashiyama
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
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.
Inclusions
- Shopping time
- English Speaking Guide
- Q&A session
- Fee of incense powder making experience
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- Please meet your guide in front of the Tenkodo Sagano Main Store. The guide will be holding a yellow sign with the DeepExperience logo.
