Blend Your Own Soothing Original Scent With Cedar Essential Oils from Daitokuji Soken-in Temple, Kyoto

A Concept Shop for Mind and Body Balance, Created by a Kyoto Buddhist Altar Maker

Set in the heart of Kyoto, YUGUE feels like a serene escape. Opened in July 2023 by Sakushima, a 90-year-old Kyoto Buddhist altar maker, this concept store helps those curious about temples and Buddhism learn how to incorporate these practices into daily life. YUGUE offers a simple approach to harmonizing mind and body, drawing on their extensive experience in making Buddhist altar objects.

A shop that blends into Kyoto’s streets, with a harmonious mix of retro and modern

The store's interior features arches made of real clay walls that resemble natural strata, creating a peaceful, outdoorsy vibe. As part of nature yourself, you'll feel a comforting sense of familiarity, even on your first visit.

The store’s clay wall arches, soothing music, and calming scents create a relaxing atmosphere

In this plan, you'll make essential oils and room sprays from natural ingredients and learn mindfulness techniques for daily life. Instructor Ritsuko Hashimoto recommends it for busy people needing relaxation. “Don't overthink it—just give it a try,” she says.

Explore Sustainable Japanese Essential Oils and Enjoy Nature’s Blessings

The essential oils used are 100% natural, mainly extracted from cedar trees grown on the grounds of Daitokuji Soken-in, a major ancient temple in Kyoto. You can choose from 5-6 Kyoto-sourced oils, like cypress, kuromoji (spicebush), and yuzu, to create your own custom blend of essential oils and room spray.

Experience the richness of nature unique to Kyoto at YUGUE

YUGUE offers sustainable essential oils made from cedar trees thinned by the head priest of Daitokuji Soken-in. From the temple, these trees are transported to a northern Kyoto distillery, where they’re turned into essential oils through a circular process. The distillation uses underground water, and the trees and branches are recycled back into the soil, ensuring no waste. This effort reflects the shared commitment of Daitokuji Soken-in, Sakushima, and the distillery to protecting the environment.

You’ll get a detailed explanation of how essential oils are made, with accompanying images

At the start of the workshop, your instructor will explain how essential oils are made. This insight can deepen your awareness of our connection to nature and your appreciation for Kyoto’s sustainability efforts, fostering a greater sense of compassion for both yourself and the environment.

A Soothing Essential Oil Blending Experience With Kyoto’s Natural Scents

After learning how Japanese essential oils are made, you'll blend them to create your own original scent. The base is cedar, to which 2-3 other scents like cypress, kuromoji, and yuzu will be added. All oils are 100% natural, produced in Kyoto, and carefully distilled in northern Kyoto. Enjoy the rich fragrances of Kyoto's nature.

Soak a wood cube in your favorite essential oil to fill the space with its scent

When testing the scents, you'll use a wood cube and an aroma glass ball for each fragrance. This method lets you experience the subtle scent as it would be in a space, rather than directly from the bottle.

A moment to unwind with the scent of natural plants

Your instructor will guide you on blending techniques and recommend scent recipes, so no prior knowledge is needed. For example, mixing cedar, cypress, and kuromoji creates a deeply relaxing, forest-like scent, while cedar, kuromoji, and yuzu produce a gentle, soothing aroma. Your perception of each blend will be unique. Embrace your own sense of “comfort” and create your favorite scents.

A Precious Moment to Find Your “Center” With Your Favorite Scent

After blending the fragrances, you'll mix your essential oil with ethanol and purified water to create a room spray. The use of 100% plant-derived fermented ethanol gives the spray a gentle, subtle scent.

All materials are provided, making it easy for first-time aroma workshop participants to join

A personal aroma isn’t like perfume—it’s a scent that resonates with your heart. Use it to refresh yourself between tasks, switch from work to home, relax, or release negative emotions. Your personal scent can help you reconnect with your true self. Take home a room spray with a scent that brings you comfort.

Finished essential oil (3ml) and room spray (50ml). The sleek, compact bottles are perfect for your everyday carry

At the end of the experience, you'll receive a lecture on practicing mindfulness and easy breathing meditation to integrate into your daily life. This plan helps you manage stress and emotions by combining aromas and meditation, allowing you to relax and enjoy each day more fully.

Hone Your Senses and Connect With Yourself

Wabunka’s exclusive plan includes three souvenirs along with the essential oils and room sprays you create. You’ll receive a custom wood diffuser made from Daitokuji Soken-in cedar, a rice bran Kyoto candle, and a glass holder for meditation. You can also take home a mini sample of Zuko (a fragrant body powder made of aromatic wood and herbs). Additionally, enjoy a discount on store products available only on the day.

The souvenir wood diffuser doubles as a card stand and is perfect for interior decoration

YUGUE offers unique scents and sounds to help you connect with and embrace yourself. With exclusive products available only here, they make great souvenirs and mementos of your trip. Be sure to pick something up during your visit.

Rice bran Kyoto candle for meditation. The warm, flickering flame gently calms the mind

This plan lets you create your own blend of essential oils and room sprays while learning mindfulness techniques. The natural scents, with 100% Kyoto cedar and other plants, provide a soothing, nature-like experience. Incorporating these into your daily life can refresh you and evoke memories of your time in Japan. Enjoy a calming experience and refine your senses at YUGUE.

Fragrant body powder offers a subtle, lasting fragrance and make a great souvenir