The Ancient Scent Trail from Kyoto

The Japanese incense brand Kungyokudo began its story as an apothecary in 1594 in front of Nishi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto, making it Japan’s oldest incense maker.

In a recipe book passed down through the generations, the company’s artisans have documented years of detailed know-how and information on plants used in ancient Chinese herbal medicines, including the rare fragrant trees that had been naturally aged over centuries. Imbued with the powers of the land they grow in, plants used for natural incense endow it with healing and energizing effects in an art form that has endured from the ancient to the modern day.

In Kyoto, Kungyokudo’s tradition lives on in the form of new products for today’s lifestyles. Kungyokudo’s Kouboku Shikoh Incense Kit epitomizes the brand’s legacy. The set of 36 incense sticks is made from rare fragrant trees, produced only in selected areas, and contains four different types of high-grade incense, along with a brass incense holder in the form of Kungyokudo’s logo. With a scent to suit every personality, it’s a thoughtful gift for anyone in need of inner peace.