Koh-do : Japanese Incense Ceremony

The Renshin School of Incense offers Mon-koh: Listening to Incense — the meditative art of Koh-do, a Zen-inspired Japanese incense ceremony. Featured in the book Japanese Incense Ceremony for Wellbeing by Eriyo Watanabe, this serene tradition — often praised for its exquisite fragrance — nurtures mindfulness, heartfulness, and peacefulness, even evoking a sense of cosmic consciousness. It invites you to enter a realm of quietude and refined clarity where mind, body, and spirit align. Sessions are available in Tokyo, throughout Japan, and internationally by special arrangement.

Koh-do is the most refined art for appreciating the fragrance of aromatic woods — particularly Kyara, the highest grade of agarwood from Vietnam. This rare treasure is valued not only for its extraordinary fragrance, but also as nourishment for the soul. Due to its exceptional rarity, even in Japan, only a select few have the privilege to encounter it. In Japanese Incense Ceremony, Kyara is prepared and presented with the utmost refinement and reverence, inviting you to appreciate its delicate fragrance in a moment of pure presence and serene tranquility.

Since the inception of Koh-do, the concept of Mon-koh—literally, “listening to incense”—has remained central. This practice involves appreciating fragrance in its pure form, free from visible smoke. Mon-koh is considered the pinnacle of incense appreciation: a contemplative, meditative ritual that cultivates  profound sense of presence.  It evokes a realm in which each may be received with openness and mindfulness, allowing the spirit to rest in stillness and unity.

Renshin means “Lotus Heart” in Japanese — a symbol of purity, resilience, and selfless giving. In Buddhist tradition, the lotus blooms in the Pure Land, offering its beauty and fragrance to all, illuminating the world around it.  This essence inspires Eriyo, Founder of the Renshin School of Incense, and is embodied in our signature creation, Juku-koh™: Fermented Incense — an evolution of Neri-koh, created with the sacred Japanese lotus.  Guests first engage in Mon-koh as an Incense Meditation, inspired by Zen — a delicate encounter with pure, smokeless fragrance that resonates deeply with heart and soul. They are then invited into a Fragrant Ritual, experiencing Eriyo’s original Juku-koh™ and other signature creations in an atmosphere of serene luxury — a moment to reflect, reconnect, and perhaps discover new insights into one’s own ikigai, the purpose and joy of life.

Created by Eriyo, Juku-koh™ unites two sacred lineages of fragrance: the refined Japanese Neri-koh and the ancient Egyptian Kyphi. Each tradition has been reimagined and elevated through natural fermentation, emerging as two distinct forms—each with its own character, aroma, and ceremonial way of offering. From the synthesis of the rarest aromatic woods, resins, and fresh blossoms, Juku-koh™ emerges with a refined depth and resonance that transcend time and space.

▶️Explore the world of Juku-koh™ 

Along the Silk Road, agarwood, sandalwood, and frankincense were among the most esteemed treasures carried from West to East. The Japanese Incense Ceremony is, in essence, a journey through the ages and across continents — an intimate exploration of fragrance traditions throughout Eurasia, offering a soul-enriching experience that transcends eras and borders.

• Kyara — the highest grade of agarwood from Vietnam, revered for its rarity and spiritual depth

• Sandalwood — elegant and grounding, renowned for cultivating serenity and balance

• Juku-koh™ — an original collection of Fermented Incense, each offering a distinctive, time-honored fragrance

Step into a realm where fragrance becomes art. Your private Japanese Incense Ceremony will be tailored to your sensibilities, guided with the utmost refinement and care. Available in Tokyo, across Japan, and internationally by special arrangement, each experience is designed for discerning guests seeking a rare moment of stillness, beauty, and cultural depth.

To inquire or reserve, please visit our CONTACT US page.

Participation Fee

・Regular Session (2 hours): 70,000yen (1-4 persons) / 150,000yen (5-10 persons) 

・Premium Session for Executives : 300,000 - 800,000yen (1- 10 persons)

・Corporate Training: 300,000-1,200,000yen 

Venues

① Setagaya Private Salon

② The International House of Japan

③ Happo-en

④ Kakiden

⑤ Kanetanaka 

＊Venue rental fee applies for ②③④⑤