Kohgen Nagoya Main Store

Founded in 1937, this long-established specialty store offers incense and senko. It carries around 5,000 varieties, one of the largest selections in Japan for an incense specialty shop, and fragrance experts known as “incense concierges” suggest the best scent to match your needs and budget. For products with samples, you can also try them on the spot.

Along with traditional Japanese scents, the lineup includes a wide range of fragrances such as flowers, trees, perfumes, and gift items. There are also plenty of assorted options recommended for beginners, including trial sets with 20 stick-type incense varieties. On the second floor, there is a specialty prayer bead section offering beads made from rare materials such as coral and amber, as well as prayer beads made with aromatic wood unique to an incense specialty store.

Classes related to incense are also popular, including the “Incense-Making Experience,” where you can create your own favorite scent, and the “Aromatic Wood Comparison Experience,” where you can compare precious aromatic woods. While learning about the history of incense in Japan, even beginners can enjoy the experience.