Kyoto Kungyokudo Incense - Scenery in Kyoto 8 Variants / 薫玉堂 天然香料線香

Kungyokudo (薫玉堂) has been making incense in Kyoto since 1594, and describes itself as Japan's oldest incense supplier. It began as an apothecary serving Nishi Honganji, one of Kyoto's great head temples, and still stands in the very same place today — directly across from the temple on Horikawa-dori. More than four centuries on, Kungyokudo continues to blend incense for both ceremony and everyday life, drawing on recipes handed down through the family and a natural, almost perfumer-like approach to fragrance. The result is a range that feels deeply rooted yet quietly contemporary: rare fragrant woods for moments of stillness, and lighter, more playful scents inspired by the places and seasons of Kyoto.

Kungyokudo's Kyoto Scenery collection is a series of incense scents, each inspired by a particular place in and around Kyoto — a garden, a temple, a village, a season. Light, approachable and charmingly packaged, they're made to be enjoyed every day: each slim box holds around 58 short sticks that burn for about 25 minutes, just long enough to change the feel of a room.

This selection brings together eight of the collection's floral and seasonal scents — from red plum blossom hinting that spring is near, to golden osmanthus drifting through autumn lanes.

Hoo no Fuji (Phoenix Wisteria) / 鳳凰の藤 — Cascading wisteria, its long blooms likened to a phoenix's tail feathers. A delicate, airy floral.

Kitayama no Bara (Roses in Kitayama) / 北山のバラ — A rose garden in bloom, morning dew still resting on velvety petals. Rich and soft.

Ohara no Kosumosu (Cosmos in Ohara) / 大原のコスモス — Cosmos swaying in the gentle autumn light of Ohara village. Sweet and floral.

Kitano no Kobai (Red Plum in Kitano) / 北野の紅梅 — The red plum blossoms of Kitano, with a fresh scent that hints that spring is close.

Nishijin no Mokusei (Osmanthus in Nishijin) / 西陣の木犀 — The narrow lanes of the Nishijin weaving district at dusk, golden osmanthus in the air. Sweet and nostalgic.

Gion no Maiko (Maiko in Gion) / 祇園の舞妓 — The bright, youthful kimono sleeves of Gion's apprentice geiko. Sweet and lively.

Hanazono no Shara (Summer Camellia in Hanazono) / 花園の沙羅 — The shara flower, which blooms in the morning and falls by evening, loved for its transience. Soft and pure.

Daigo no Sakura (Cherry Blossoms in Daigo) / 醍醐の桜 — Daigo's cherry trees in full bloom; gentle, like standing beneath falling petals.

◾ Handmade in Japan

◾ What's included?

- Approx. 20 g (approx. 58 sticks) in one box

- Stick length: approx. 13.5 cm

◾ Size: approx. Width 5.2 cm × Depth 15.2 cm × Height 2 cm (box)

◾ Burning time: approx. 25 min (per stick)