[First Time in Kamakura] Popular Experience Event 'Kaori Haku' (Fragrance Expo) from Ginza and Kyoto to be Held in Kamakura for the First Time
The traditional Japanese incense experience event 'Kaori Haku' will be held from April 18 to May 17, 2026. This year, Kamakura joins Ginza and Kyoto, offering special workshops at historic temples.
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The event 'Kaori Haku' (Fragrance Expo), where you can experience Japanese incense culture, will be held in the Kamakura area for about a month from Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Incense Day) to Sunday, May 17, 2026. The ancient capital of Kamakura will be newly added in 2026 to this event, which has been previously held in Ginza and Kyoto.
'Kaori Haku' is a touring event that has been held in Ginza and Kyoto since 2024. It has provided opportunities to become familiar with Japanese incense culture through stamp rallies visiting incense shops and facilities, as well as various workshops.
In 2026, the Kamakura area is newly added, with the incense master Kito Tenkundo, located on Komachi Dori, participating for the first time. Furthermore, workshops related to fragrance will be held at temples such as Godaido Myoo-in and Jochiji.
The program offers opportunities to blend fragrances using one's own sensibility, such as 'Making Scent Bags' and 'Making Burning Incense', as well as the chance to experience the scents of precious fragrant woods like Kyara, Agarwood, and Sandalwood. A total of 11 sessions across 5 types are scheduled.
In addition, a 'Fragrance Stamp Rally' (free to participate) will be held in the Ginza, Kyoto, and Kamakura areas, visiting participating shops and facilities. Those who collect three stamps will receive a special 'Kaori Haku' incense as a gift. *Kito Tenkundo is for stamp stamping only.
Among them, the Kamakura area is characterized by holding events at temples in addition to incense shops, allowing participants to experience Goma fire rituals and Zen meditation alongside fragrance experiences in historic spaces. We provide an opportunity to touch Japanese culture through fragrance while touring spring Kamakura, as well as Ginza and Kyoto.
Fragrant Wood Scent (Rikkoku) Experience Session
Sandalwood Scent and Scent Bag Making Experience Session
■ Event Name: Kaori Haku 2026
■ Event Period: Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Incense Day) - Sunday, May 17, 2026
■ Event Areas: Ginza, Kyoto, Kamakura (Held simultaneously)
■ Theme: 'Where Scents Meet Tomorrow'
■ Main Content: Fragrance Stamp Rally, 11 workshops of 5 types including 'Making Scent Bags' and 'Making Burning Incense'
*Theme exhibitions and limited product sales at each store will be limited to the Ginza and Kyoto areas.
■ Participating Stores:
[Kamakura Area] Kito Tenkundo, Kamakura Godaido Myoo-in, Jochiji
*Advance reservations are required for experiences and workshops. Details will be sequentially published on the official website (https://kaorihaku.com).
■ Organizer: Kaori Haku Executive Committee (Sponsored by Kyukyodo, Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo)
■ Schedule of Experience Workshops
For details and applications, please check the Kaori Haku website (https://kaorihaku.com).
■ Fragrant Wood Scent (Rikkoku) Experience Session @ Kito Tenkundo 2nd Floor, Ryureiseki (Chair seating) 3,000 yen (tax included)
An experience session to enjoy the scent of precious fragrant woods (Agarwood and Sandalwood). You will experience the scents of the Rikkoku (Kyara, Rakoku, Manaban, Manaka, Sasora, Sumotara), which is the classification of fragrant woods in the Oie School of Kodo. You will also enjoy the scent of incense and incense sticks blended with various incense ingredients. Incense (fragrant wood/incense) or incense burners used in the session will be prepared for the participants. You can take home the fragrant wood (Rikkoku) you listened to as a souvenir.
Dates: 4/19 (11:00-), 5/3 (11:00-), 5/4 (11:00-), 5/6 (11:00-)
■ Sandalwood Scent and Scent Bag Making Experience Session @ Kito Tenkundo 2nd Floor, Ryureiseki (Chair seating) 2,500 yen (tax included)
An experience session where you can enjoy the scent of sandalwood and make an original scent bag. You will experience the precious scent of sandalwood. You will blend various incense ingredients, focusing on sandalwood from India or Indonesia, choose your favorite bag, and make your original scent bag.
Dates: 4/19 (14:00-), 5/3 (14:00-), 5/4 (14:00-), 5/6 (14:00-)
■ Burning Incense Making Experience Session and Special Worship @ Kamakura Godaido Myoo-in 5,000 yen (tax included)
An experience session to blend precious incense ingredients and make an original burning incense on the auspicious day of Fudo Myoo. It has been said since ancient times that a good scent dispels evil spirits and leads to improved luck. Please use precious incense ingredients (Agarwood, Sandalwood, etc.) to make your original burning incense. You will pack the incense you made into an original incense container to take home. Also, on the day, we will offer the original incense to the principal image.
Dates: 4/29 (13:00-)
■ Fragrant Wood Scent (Rikkoku) Experience Session and Goma Fire Ritual
'Kaori Haku' is a touring event that has been held in Ginza and Kyoto since 2024. It has provided opportunities to become familiar with Japanese incense culture through stamp rallies visiting incense shops and facilities, as well as various workshops.
In 2026, the Kamakura area is newly added, with the incense master Kito Tenkundo, located on Komachi Dori, participating for the first time. Furthermore, workshops related to fragrance will be held at temples such as Godaido Myoo-in and Jochiji.
The program offers opportunities to blend fragrances using one's own sensibility, such as 'Making Scent Bags' and 'Making Burning Incense', as well as the chance to experience the scents of precious fragrant woods like Kyara, Agarwood, and Sandalwood. A total of 11 sessions across 5 types are scheduled.
In addition, a 'Fragrance Stamp Rally' (free to participate) will be held in the Ginza, Kyoto, and Kamakura areas, visiting participating shops and facilities. Those who collect three stamps will receive a special 'Kaori Haku' incense as a gift. *Kito Tenkundo is for stamp stamping only.
Among them, the Kamakura area is characterized by holding events at temples in addition to incense shops, allowing participants to experience Goma fire rituals and Zen meditation alongside fragrance experiences in historic spaces. We provide an opportunity to touch Japanese culture through fragrance while touring spring Kamakura, as well as Ginza and Kyoto.
Fragrant Wood Scent (Rikkoku) Experience Session
Sandalwood Scent and Scent Bag Making Experience Session
■ Event Name: Kaori Haku 2026
■ Event Period: Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Incense Day) - Sunday, May 17, 2026
■ Event Areas: Ginza, Kyoto, Kamakura (Held simultaneously)
■ Theme: 'Where Scents Meet Tomorrow'
■ Main Content: Fragrance Stamp Rally, 11 workshops of 5 types including 'Making Scent Bags' and 'Making Burning Incense'
*Theme exhibitions and limited product sales at each store will be limited to the Ginza and Kyoto areas.
■ Participating Stores:
[Kamakura Area] Kito Tenkundo, Kamakura Godaido Myoo-in, Jochiji
*Advance reservations are required for experiences and workshops. Details will be sequentially published on the official website (https://kaorihaku.com).
■ Organizer: Kaori Haku Executive Committee (Sponsored by Kyukyodo, Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo)
■ Schedule of Experience Workshops
For details and applications, please check the Kaori Haku website (https://kaorihaku.com).
■ Fragrant Wood Scent (Rikkoku) Experience Session @ Kito Tenkundo 2nd Floor, Ryureiseki (Chair seating) 3,000 yen (tax included)
An experience session to enjoy the scent of precious fragrant woods (Agarwood and Sandalwood). You will experience the scents of the Rikkoku (Kyara, Rakoku, Manaban, Manaka, Sasora, Sumotara), which is the classification of fragrant woods in the Oie School of Kodo. You will also enjoy the scent of incense and incense sticks blended with various incense ingredients. Incense (fragrant wood/incense) or incense burners used in the session will be prepared for the participants. You can take home the fragrant wood (Rikkoku) you listened to as a souvenir.
Dates: 4/19 (11:00-), 5/3 (11:00-), 5/4 (11:00-), 5/6 (11:00-)
■ Sandalwood Scent and Scent Bag Making Experience Session @ Kito Tenkundo 2nd Floor, Ryureiseki (Chair seating) 2,500 yen (tax included)
An experience session where you can enjoy the scent of sandalwood and make an original scent bag. You will experience the precious scent of sandalwood. You will blend various incense ingredients, focusing on sandalwood from India or Indonesia, choose your favorite bag, and make your original scent bag.
Dates: 4/19 (14:00-), 5/3 (14:00-), 5/4 (14:00-), 5/6 (14:00-)
■ Burning Incense Making Experience Session and Special Worship @ Kamakura Godaido Myoo-in 5,000 yen (tax included)
An experience session to blend precious incense ingredients and make an original burning incense on the auspicious day of Fudo Myoo. It has been said since ancient times that a good scent dispels evil spirits and leads to improved luck. Please use precious incense ingredients (Agarwood, Sandalwood, etc.) to make your original burning incense. You will pack the incense you made into an original incense container to take home. Also, on the day, we will offer the original incense to the principal image.
Dates: 4/29 (13:00-)
■ Fragrant Wood Scent (Rikkoku) Experience Session and Goma Fire Ritual