INCENSE KITCHEN｜INCENSE

5 products

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Brand

A gift from Uji, a town of history and matcha

INCENSE KITCHEN

2020
INCENSE
Kyoko Goto

History

A genuine Kyotoite's idea of local revitalization

Opened in Kyoto in 2020, Incense Kitchen manufactures, sells, and offers hands-on lessons in making matcha incense.

Their original brand’s name is "Itowokashi Incense".

"Itowokashi" is an ancient Japanese word meaning "beautiful" or "tasteful".

Having been involved in the tourism industry for a long time, I came up with the idea of developing incense using Uji green tea, a local specialty of Kyoto, and offering the experience of its production as an activity for visitors.

Our goal is to let people in Japan and around the world know about Kyoto and the appeal of matcha, and to revitalize Kyoto's tourism industry.

The idea came from being born and raised in Kyoto, a city with many temples and shrines, where I could naturally learn about traditional parts of Japanese culture such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kimono dressing, incense, etc.

In 2018, we started product development and studied fragrance in the Izumiyama Goryu, a school of incense ceremony.

The finished product, "Itowokashi Incense" can be made at lessons offered at shrines in Uji City.

Characteristic

Traditional Japanese beauty made with confectionery molds

"Itowokashi Incense" is made from a luxurious amount of Uji matcha green tea and allows you to fully enjoy the mellow aroma of the tea.

Because it is heated in a censer rather than lit directly, there is no smoke or ash, and the gentle fragrance wafting softly in the air refreshes the mind.

As the name "Itowokashi" implies, we also paid close attention to the appearance of the incense.

It has a lovely and beautiful appearance, just like tea cakes served with matcha green tea.

Since 2021, the company has been committed to the Kyoto “spirit of frugality" by purchasing waste matcha directly from tea factories and tea farmers that cannot be used in consumable beverage products, thereby reducing food waste.

We are grateful to receive the treasures of Uji, Kyoto, and carefully produce each incense one by one.

For Customers

Let the mellow aroma and the beauty of the formations excite your heart.

The fragrant matcha incense "Ito Okashi Incense" is made from zero waste matcha, which is purchased directly from tea factories and tea farmers.

Uji City in Kyoto, famous for its Uji matcha, is home to many tea factories that still grind matcha carefully on stone mills and pack it in bags in clean rooms.

This process produces a large amount of waste matcha that cannot be used in products because it has accumulated on the millstones and filters.

By purchasing this waste and upcycling it while it is still fresh, we are able to produce incense with the full aroma of matcha locked in it.

Enjoy the soothing aroma of fresh matcha tea and the beauty of the shapes of traditional Japanese culture and the four seasons during your time of relaxation.

These products are ideal for entertaining or as a gift for your loved ones.