Store Information
Kogen Uenosakuragi Store opened in 2018 in Taito-Ku, Tokyo, and offers more than 5,000 varieties of incense carefully selected from incense makers throughout Japan. The store offers various scents, from Japanese to Western, inviting visitors into a world of fragrance. Visitors, especially those experiencing incense for the first time, will enjoy finding the perfect fragrance for themselves among the abundant choices.
The first floor is a store, and the second is the "World's Smallest Museum of Incense Tools," where valuable incense tools and artifacts are displayed. The museum is a valuable experience for visitors, who can learn about the history and culture of incense artifacts. The exhibit of Kodo tools provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the fragrance culture.
The Kogen Uenosakuragi Store has an incense concierge who can suggest the best visitor scents. As a fragrance expert, the incense concierge helps visitors choose the right fragrance for their tastes and occasions. This allows even first-time visitors to try incense to find the right scent.
Kogen Uenosakuragi Store widely promotes the culture and history of Japanese fragrances and conveys their appeal to visitors. The history of incense goes back more than 1,400 years, beginning with its introduction to Japan and Buddhism. The store also offers hands-on classes where visitors can learn about the history and culture of fragrance, and participants can gain a deeper understanding of the world of incense through making incense.
Extensive product lineup
Kogen Uenosakuragi offers a wide variety of incense, from Japanese to Western styles. More than 5,000 varieties of incense and incense sticks, purchased from famous manufacturers throughout Japan, are lined up in the store, inviting visitors into a world of fragrance. In particular, a wide range of choices are available, from traditional Japanese-style fragrances to fresh Western-style scents, so anyone can find the right scent to suit their taste.
Kogen's original "20 Kinds of Incense Set " is a top-rated product." This set is ideal for those trying incense for the first time and is favored by many visitors because it allows them to enjoy a variety of scents. The included incense holder makes it easy to enjoy incense, and it is also a great gift item.
Kogen also offers incense from high-grade fragrant woods such as Kyara, agarwood, and sandalwood. These aromatic woods have an elegant and deep fragrance, and our products are made with the highest quality. Since fragrant woods become fragrant when heated and their fragrance changes when they are burned, many of our products allow trial burning so that customers can experience the fragrance while making their selections.
Furthermore, the Kogen Uenosakuragi store carries many products from well-known manufacturers throughout Japan, making it a fun place to choose. The store has a space where visitors can experience a variety of scents, and a professional "incense concierge" is on hand to help visitors find the right scent to suit their tastes. This will make choosing a fragrance a more enjoyable experience.
Attractions of the Incense Experience
Kogen Uenosakuragi offers an incense-making experience that even beginners can enjoy. This rare opportunity for participants to create their own unique fragrance is particularly popular. The "smell bag" creation is viral, a tradition that dates back to the Nara period. Visitors can enjoy the aroma by filling bags made of cloth or paper with fragrances and herbal medicines.
The experiences are diverse, and visitors can choose from three different types of incense: "odor bags," "kneaded incense," and "incense sticks. Each experience takes about 60 minutes, and participants can mix the fragrances at their own pace. The incense kneading experience, in particular, allows visitors to recreate the fragrance loved by aristocrats in the Heian period (794-1192) and enjoy it while feeling the historical background.
The fee for the experience is 4,400 yen per person (tax included), and reservations are required. Reservations can be made by phone or online, and the experience can be enjoyed on the desired date and time. This fee includes the cost of materials, and participants can take home the fragrance they have created.
An incense concierge carefully guides the incense-making experience so even first-timers can easily participate. The concierge not only teaches tips on how to select and mix scents but also provides an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of incense for a deeper understanding.
Access and Hours of Operation
Kogen Uenosakuragi Store is located at 1-10-16 Uenosakuragi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, and is Kogen's fourth and second specialty store in Tokyo. This store is well known to visitors as a place where they can experience traditional Japanese fragrance culture. The surrounding area is filled with historical temples and beautiful cityscapes, making it an attractive place for visitors to stroll around.
Access to this store is very convenient. The nearest station is Nezu Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, which is about a 5-minute walk away. It is only a 15-minute walk from "Ueno Station" on the JR Yamanote Line. Accessibility is one of the major attractions for visitors, as they can stop by while sightseeing or strolling around.
Kogen Uenosakuragi is open from 9:17 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. These hours are very accessible for people coming home from work or strolling around on their days off. The store can also be contacted by phone at 03-3827-6666.
No parking is available at Shangen Uenosakuragi, so public transportation is strongly recommended. By using nearby transportation, visitors can enjoy a stress-free visit to the surrounding area and the sights and sounds. Visitors can explore the charming surrounding area before enjoying the world of fragrance.
Attractions in the surrounding area
The Yanesen area, where Kogen Uenosakuragi is located, attracts tourists because of its intense downtown Tokyo atmosphere. The area is dotted with old wooden houses and historical buildings, giving visitors a sense of a Showa-era atmosphere. Yanesen is also popular among tourists, especially those who love cats and is known as a sacred place for cats.
The surrounding area is home to tourist attractions such as the Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street and Yanaka Cemetery, providing an ideal environment for strolling. Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street is a favorite place for locals and tourists, with its rows of Japanese sweets, crafts, and restaurants. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful streetscape, especially at dusk, making it a special experience.
The Yanesen area is also where culture and the arts take root, with important art sites such as the Tokyo National Museum and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum located nearby. These institutions offer visitors a profound cultural experience with various exhibits ranging from traditional Japanese to contemporary art.
The area is dotted with historic temples and shrines as well as retro cafes where visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the Showa period. Cafes in renovated old private homes offer visitors a heartwarming experience as they enjoy the traditional Japanese flavors of the past. These spots are valuable places for tourists and locals alike to experience a sense of nostalgia.
