Experience the art of Kōdō in a Kyoto temple

Journey into Fragrance

We invite you to enjoy a special cultural experience at the historic Chotokuji Temple, founded in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Kodo—the traditional Japanese art of incense appreciation, alongside tea ceremony and flower arrangement. Surrounded by 400 years of history, enjoy Genjiko, a classic incense-comparing game in which you distinguish five different fragrances, and learn Nageire, a style of Japanese flower arrangement that embraces the natural beauty of flowers.

After the experience, relax with a refined moment of rare hand-picked “Asahi” matcha from Uji, paired with seasonal Japanese sweets. You may also take home the flower vase used during the Nageire session as a souvenir.

Located just west of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, this historic temple offers the rare opportunity to experience three quintessential forms of Japanese beauty—fragrance, flowers, and tea—all in one place. Listen to the subtle transitions of incense, feel the season through the presence of flowers, and find tranquility in a bowl of matcha—this is a luxurious moment that gently reveals the depth of Japanese culture.

In the serene atmosphere of Chotokuji Temple, this experience centered on Kodo, while also introducing the arts of flower arrangement and tea, will become an unforgettable and beautiful memory of Kyoto, deeply etched in your journey.