LiSN, a Stylish Incense Boutique in Kyoto

Incense evokes images of Buddhist temples and religious rituals. But at LISN, a designer incense boutique in Kyoto, the associations aren’t quite so traditional. The shop’s sleek lineup of sticks is aimed at a younger clientele – with techniques and recipes that have been honed for more than 300 years.

The shop is located in the Cocon Karasuma shopping center a short walk from Shijo and Karasuma streets, or about a one-minute stroll from the central train station on the Hankyu or Karasuma lines. Stylish counters are lit with dim illumination, and impeccably-mannered employees advise customers on scents that best suit their lifestyles.

Founded in Japan’s Muromachi period by Kakuumon Yamatoya, Shoyeido is one of the oldest and most revered companies in the country’s history of traditional incense. Today, it is considered a leader in blending ancient techniques with a modern appeal. The brand’s wide range of daily-use incense includes fragrances inspired by the Kyoto landscape, including Kyonishiki, a sandalwood aroma influenced by autumn leaves in Arashiyama, and Kinkaku, a fragrance evoked by the Golden Pavilion.

The collection also contains scented sachets for tea ceremonies and incense sticks made from the rare wood of agarwood, which are more aromatic than other types of incense. They’re long-lasting and are said to clear the mind. The company’s senko (stick incense) has been used for centuries to offer prayer and incense offerings at temples, as hospitality at inns, or simply as a way to enjoy scents.

Incense was traditionally a part of both Shinto and Buddhist practices, and in earlier times it served as a way to measure time. It is a sacred object, with ten virtues that include communication with the transcendent and peace in solitude. It is considered a “must-have” for anyone who wants to make spiritual progress, and it is said that one can attain enlightenment by using incense regularly and following the proper procedure.

The most popular scent at the moment is Pride of Kyoto, a rich, evocative aroma that uses a blend of rare incense ingredients to transport the wearer on a spiritual journey around the world’s historical centres. The scent combines sandalwood with precious agarwood, and its precise recipe dates back to the 1960s, but the classic recipe is much older. Another incense that draws on history is the series 3 from Comme des Garcons, which is based on a pilgrimage across four corners of the globe and features teak wood with white sage and cypress oil. All of these fragrances can be purchased at Lisn, as well as other leading incense brands that are difficult to find abroad.