Discover Incense and an Ancient Scent-Matching Game at a Historical Site

Incense Ceremony at Shoun-tei, Set in a Beautiful Japanese Garden

Located about a 10-minute walk from Matsudo Station in Chiba, just 30 minutes by train from Tokyo Station, Tojogaoka Historical Park sits on a hill overlooking the Edogawa River. The park is home to Tojo-tei, the villa of Tokugawa Akitake, the last head of the Mito Domain, and a designated national cultural property. Recognized among the "100 Views of Mt. Fuji in Kanto" (2005) and the "100 Best Historical Parks in Japan" (2007), the park also features Shoun-tei, a serene Japanese garden where this experience takes place.

The beautiful garden extends beyond the impressive gate of Shoun-tei

Your instructor, Kousei Takano , is a master of the Kodo Jikishinryu and leads the Fujinoka incense class. Skilled in calligraphy and kimono dressing, Takano has been immersed in Japanese culture from a young age. Dedicated to sharing the beauty of traditional incense art, she actively promotes this practice through teaching and various cultural activities. In this plan, you’ll learn everything from the basics of Kodo to the authentic incense ceremony scent-matching game under her guidance.

Kousei Takano, master of the Jikishinryu school, greets guests in a stunning kimono

A Lecture Unraveling the History of Japanese Fragrances

Kodo, one of Japan’s three traditional arts alongside tea ceremony and flower arrangement, is the practice of enjoying and appreciating fragrance. In kodo, scents are described as something to "listen" to—a term that originates from the gesture of exhaling into one’s sleeve while experiencing the fragrance, resembling an act of listening. Today, this idea extends to a more reflective meaning: engaging with fragrance to "listen to one’s heart" and connect with inner sensations.

Tools used in incense ceremonies - experienced practitioners can tell the ash’s condition by simply inserting the fire tongs

This experience begins with a classroom session where you’ll learn the basics of Kodo through guided materials. Incense has a long history in Japan, introduced from Baekje alongside Buddhism in the early 6th century. With Takano's clear and engaging explanations, covering incense's 1,500-year history and the value of fragrant wood as a natural resource, the formal art of Kodo becomes accessible and relatable.

Experience the Art of "Listening" to Scent in an Incense Ceremony

After learning the basics, you’ll take part in an incense ceremony. Takano serves as the incense master, preparing and passing the incense burner, while guests participate as observers. As the "ash preparation" begins, the space fills with a serene stillness. Beyond enjoying the fragrance, the graceful movements of the Jikishinryu ceremony captivate, making you lose track of time and leaving you with a sense of calm and renewal.

Moving the charcoal balls (tadon) into the incense burner—every movement is as graceful as a painting

A thin mica plate (ginyo) is placed over the ashes in an incense burner filled with small charcoal pellets, with fragrant wood set on top. The heat releases the aroma, and under Takano's guidance, everyone takes turns experiencing the fragrance.
The delicate, refined scent that wafts gently to your nose from the rounded palm of your hand is truly captivating and unforgettable.

Inhale three times through your nose, exhaling into your sleeve. Feel your mind and body purified by the soft scent of fragrant wood

Learn the Refined Manners of Nobility Through Incense Ceremony and Fusego-Temae

After learning how to appreciate scents, you'll try Genji-ko, a type of incense ceremony game where you identify and guess different fragrances. Inspired by ‘The Tale of Genji’—the world’s oldest full-length romance novel—the game incorporates the traditional Genji-kozu pattern, often seen in kimonos and architectural designs. Takano will guide you through the rules, allowing you to enjoy this elegant pastime, a tradition dating back to the Edo period.

Genji-ko, a stylish game played with 25 packages of 5 types of fragrant wood—guess the scents selected by the incense master

In the Heian period, aristocrats infused their kimonos with incense pastes, known as takimono, made from blended fragrances—a practice depicted in The Tale of Genji. As an optional add-on (fee required), you can experience fusego-temae, a traditional incense ceremony of the Jikishinryu school, which beautifully captures the elegance of this era. Don’t miss this rare chance to immerse yourself in the refined aromas and traditions of the Heian period.

In the fusego-temae ceremony, the air is filled with the aroma of incense, offering a different charm from traditional incense ceremonies

The Scent of Japan, Bridging the Ancient and the Modern

Once you experience it, the scent of fragrant wood will stir a deep sense of nostalgia, calming your mind and clearing your thoughts. Takano hopes you’ll enjoy the incense experience as a peaceful, unhurried moment. The scent of Japan, passed down through the ages, invites you to connect with the traditional Japanese taste of incense and spend a tranquil time.

A special moment when your mind clears and your senses are sharpened