Incense Kitchen, located in Uji, Kyoto, was founded in 2020 by a local resident working in the tourism industry. To enrich her hometown's travel offerings, she began using Uji matcha to develop incense and opened a hands-on incense-making workshop. Today, the brand's products are sold in 15 stores across 8 countries.

【Attraction Tickets】Mt. Fuji Classic Tour: Mt. Fuji 5th Station + Arakurayama Sengen Park + Lawson Convenience Store + Matcha Experience

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【1-Day Tour Routes】[Departing from Osaka] 2026 Uji Byodo-in & Matcha Desserts & Fushimi Inari Thousand Torii Gates & Katsuo-ji Temple Daruma Stamp Pilgrimage One-Day Tour (9.7~)

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The fragrance is made from the offcuts produced during matcha processing — premium-quality material that would normally be discarded as unsuitable for consumption. Incense Kitchen buys this fresh matcha and gives it a new life, transforming it into scent.

Matcha is a challenging incense ingredient — when burned it tends to release a scorched smell rather than a tea aroma — but Incense Kitchen stands out with a unique formula that uses 100% pure matcha as its only fragrance, with no other aromatic additives. The secret is heating rather than burning, allowing precise temperature control so the matcha releases a delicate tea fragrance.

Designed with an aesthetic sensibility, the incense is shaped using the same wooden molds used for traditional Japanese sweets, producing intricate, charming forms. Workshops are usually held at temples in Uji, and can also be arranged in central Kyoto, extending the joy of matcha from taste to scent and giving Uji's famous matcha a fresh interpretation.

Revealing the Mysteries of Matcha Through Scent

Although matcha is beloved as a drink and food, people rarely experience its aromatic side. These workshops offer a rare opportunity to discover another dimension of matcha through your sense of smell.

The session begins with an introduction to the types and history of Japanese incense, followed by a demonstration of "soradaki" — a traditional incense method that uses charcoal and ash to gently heat the incense. The subtle tea aroma mingles with the warmth of the charcoal, creating a calming, sensory moment.

After the demonstration, guests craft their own Uji matcha incense by hand. Each participant can use pastry molds to make six to seven pieces in different shapes, from seasonal flowers to auspicious motifs — choosing the molds and shaping the incense is a joy in itself.

The only aromatic ingredient used is the Uji matcha left over from production, letting you immerse yourself in its scent, shape, and texture, and experience a whole new realm of matcha.

A Fragrant Memory to Take Home

Experiencing matcha through fragrance rather than taste alone deepens your appreciation of it. As participants shape the incense and the tea aroma fills the air, they begin to feel a different connection to matcha.

These workshops also offer a welcome escape from the bustle of daily life, letting your senses relax in the warmth of the charcoal and the slowly drifting scent, while the hands-on work naturally brings the mind into focus.

Using by-products from matcha production is what makes the experience unique — it presents a new way of appreciating matcha and naturally invites reflection on material value, recycling, and the natural world.

Participants can take the incense they make home the same day, and can choose from two incense burners designed to release the matcha aroma: a simple foldable one for everyday use, or a bamboo burner handcrafted by a master artisan that showcases exquisite craftsmanship.

This special experience at Incense Kitchen will quietly stay with you, blending into your daily life along with your travel memories. Reservations can be made via the official website: https://incensekitchen.com/