Private Kyoto Temple Garden Tour and Genji-inspired Incense Guessing Experience—With Matcha

A Garden Full of Fragrance

Kosei-in Garden lies by the source of the Takase River, near the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It was built as part of a residence by samurai Ijuin Kanetsune in the nineteenth century, and became a temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism in the 1950s.

The garden represents a turning point in landscape design and is designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty

After the Meiji Restoration abolished the samurai class in the late nineteenth century, Kanetsune became an active businessman, and was involved in the construction of the modern Imperial Palace alongside many other famous buildings. In particular, he oversaw the design of Kosei-in’s garden, which demonstrates a remarkable flow between the buildings of the residence and the water of the Takase River.

Zikido Ichifune is based on the residence of the temple’s founder

The long granite bridge that spans the pond is notable for its intricate carvings and harmony with the water’s surface. The garden as a whole has been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by Kyoto City. While the garden is usually closed to the public, this experience includes a private tour of the grounds before the main kodo session.

Auspicious Beginnings

After viewing the garden, guests proceed to Zikido Ichifune, a private venue with a counter looking out onto the garden. Large windows and liberal use of natural materials help both interior and exterior blend in with the surroundings. The paintings on the walls are the work of internationally acclaimed artist Kohei Nawa.

Zikido Ichifune’s long counter offers excellent views of the garden

“Listen” to the Fragrance and Try the Incense Game Genjiko

In Zikido Ichifune, learn the basics of scent appreciation from an expert of Kodo-Mishina-Ooe School. Kodo, or the Way of Incense, is one of Japan's "Three Arts," alongside tea ceremony and flower arrangement, blending elements of history, calligraphy, and culture. In kodo, we "listen" to the fragrance, tuning in with focus and reflecting inwardly to experience a deeper, more meaningful moment.

The fragrances sharpen your senses (photo for illustration)

In this Wabunka-exclusive experience, you'll distinguish and identify different scents in the incense guessing game Genjiko, inspired by The Tale of Genji, said to be the world’s oldest novel. The design used in Genjiko is based on the traditional Genjiko-no-Zu pattern, commonly seen in Japanese crafts and kimono.

Tools used in Genjiko: take a moment to appreciate the design of each piece

The rules of Genjiko will be explained in detail, so even beginners can approach the game with confidence. Enjoy imagining the story of The Tale of Genji through the scents. 

Create a One-Of-A-Kind Fragrance as a Souvenir of Your Experience 

After Genjiko, you'll blend natural scents to craft your own fragrance, which you can take home as a sachet. In the Heian period (794-1185), nobles often infused their kimono with their personal fragrances, making scent a part of daily life, as seen in The Tale of Genji. Let your imagination guide you as you create a fragrance that's uniquely yours. 

You can choose your favorite scent from a wide variety of options

Reflect on Your Experience With Matcha From Uji, Kyoto

When the session is over, guests can relax and unwind with freshly-brewed matcha tea and seasonal confectionery. The tea is sourced from Yamamoto Jinjiro, centuries-old tea shop in Uji, near Kyoto. The tea is grown using the honzu method, which has endured for about 400 years and requires each leaf to be picked by hand. Honzu tea is characterised by its strong flavour and lack of bitterness.

The tea is grown in a single garden using only one variety of tea plant

Participants can enjoy the afterglow of the session over tea as they share their impressions of the fragrances and the Genji-ko ceremony. Guests are also welcome to return to the garden for another stroll.

Refreshment in nature

The natural fragrances of the garden may become more apparent after one has honed their sense of smell. It is one example of the way in which Ryushi Mishina hopes to use kodo to make everyday life more enjoyable. Through such careful concentration on one sense, the flow of time can be interrupted, then perhaps restarted with greater intentionality than before.