April 18 marks "Incense Day" (香の日) in Japan — a commemorative date established in 1992 by the National Incense Association and recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association. The date has two origins: a record in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) noting that in April of the 3rd year of Empress Suiko's reign (595 CE), a piece of fragrant wood (agarwood) washed ashore on Awaji Island; and the way the kanji for "incense" (香) can be read as "one, ten, eight, day."
To mark this occasion, incense specialty store Kohgen is holding a special two-day event at four of its locations across Japan on April 18 and 19, 2026. Visitors will have the chance to experience the scent of kyara — the rarest and most precious grade of agarwood — a fragrance so rare that even a few grams can cost tens of thousands of yen, putting its value at more than five times that of gold.
Experience the Scent of Kyara
The event is a simple walk-in experience format, with visitors guided through in rotating groups. Freshly burned kyara incense will fill a quiet space, with the focus placed entirely on the fragrance itself — there are no lectures or formal explanations. The aim is simply to let visitors feel the deep, sweet notes and lingering resonance of this exceptional scent.
The participation fee is free for those under 20, and ¥1,000 (tax included) for those aged 20 and over.
Katsuhiko Kikuya, head of Kohgen, shares the motivation behind the event: "While about one in ten Japanese people has heard of kyara, only a few thousand people in the country have ever actually experienced its scent from the original wood. Preserving this rare fragrance and passing it on to future generations is my mission."
Event Details
Dates: Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026
Sessions: 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM
Locations: Nagoya Main Store, Ginza Main Store, Ueno Store, Kyoto Store (4 stores nationwide)
Admission: Free for those under 20; ¥1,000 (tax included) for those aged 20 and over
Reservations: Advance booking available via the dedicated website; walk-ins welcome if space permits. Reservations open April 1, 2026 (Wednesday) at 5:00 PM.
Note: Groups are limited to a maximum of 3 people. Groups of 4 or more are not eligible. Capacity varies by store; reservations will close once capacity is reached. For the latest updates, check Kohgen's official Instagram and LINE accounts.
