Shoyeido

Shoyeido's origins date back to around 1705. Its story begins with "Sasaya," founded by Hata Rokuzaemon Moriyoshi in Tamba-Sasayama, and from the third generation (Moritsune), the Shoyeido name became closely connected to incense-making. The craft has been carried forward into the 13th generation. Incorporated in May 1942, the company continues to support fragrance culture from its long-standing base near Karasuma-Nijo in Kyoto, while building proposals that fit changing lifestyles across eras.

Many raw materials used in Shoyeido products are natural aromatics gathered from regions including China, India, and Southeast Asia. These ingredients are precious and delicate, which is why blending skill and careful handwork are essential. Attention continues through the final sealing stage, shaping the fine nuances of each fragrance. While scent can be created through synthesis, Shoyeido values the depth and subtle "taste" unique to natural materials, and it keeps extending its expressive range along that tradition.

Shoyeido produces a wide range of incense products such as incense sticks, powdered incense, kneaded incense, and sachets. The lineup spans religious incense, aloeswood and kneaded incense used in tea gatherings, room incense sticks, and more casual incense for daily enjoyment, reflecting the idea of "all kinds of fragrance." In 1897 it developed a conical "perfumed incense" suited to overseas lifestyles, which led to the first exports to the U.S. It also gained nationwide recognition through Imperial ceremonial patronage, and today Shoyeido's presence continues in Boulder, Colorado through its U.S. operation.

Shoyeido's bases include its Kyoto head office, a Tokyo branch (Ningyocho), a Sapporo branch, and the Nagaokakyo production site. It also operates eight directly managed stores across Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and Sapporo, offering guidance for choosing fragrances. Kunjyukan, opened in the summer of 2018 next to the Kyoto main store, provides a "learn, experience, and enjoy" entry point through hands-on scent stations, exhibitions, and events. Renovated from a building originally constructed in 1959, it welcomes visitors with free admission as a fragrance culture information hub.

Kyoto roots since around 1705

Shoyeido traces its beginnings to "Sasaya" in Tamba-Sasayama and established its Kyoto presence around 1705. The Shoyeido name became central to incense-making from the third generation. Incorporated in May 1942, the company continues its craft into the 13th generation from its base near Karasuma-Nijo in Kyoto.

A wide world of fragrance "tools"

Religious incense, aloeswood and kneaded incense for tea settings, incense sticks for rooms, easy-to-use incense, and sachets. The range is broad enough to be described as "all kinds of fragrance." Choose by purpose when you know the occasion, or by your preferred scent direction when you don't. It works well for everyday moments and for thoughtful gifts.

Natural aromatics, shaped by hand

Many raw materials are natural aromatics sourced from regions such as China, India, and Southeast Asia. Because the ingredients are delicate and precious, blending and careful handwork matter at every step. Even the final sealing stage is treated with care to preserve subtle depth and nuance. The brand also keeps exploring new ways to express fragrance.

Stores and Kunjyukan as an entry point

With offices in Kyoto, Tokyo (Ningyocho), Sapporo, and a workshop site in Nagaokakyo, Shoyeido operates eight directly managed stores across Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and Sapporo. Kunjyukan, opened in 2018 next to the Kyoto main store, is free to enter and offers hands-on fragrance experiences, exhibitions, and events. The building was originally built in 1959 and renovated as a welcoming information hub for Japanese fragrance culture.