Photo/Illutration A wide variety of sachets available at Yamada-Matsu Co.'s Kyoto main outlet in the city's Kamigyo Ward (Kenichi Shinozuka)

Editor’s note: This series showcases what we are calling “kawaii” (cute) items made locally in the iconic Japanese city.

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Yamada-Matsu Co. is a long-established specialty shop for incense woods founded as a pharmacy in the mid-Edo Period (1603-1867), dealing in natural incense materials.

Its Kyoto main store offers raw incense materials, such as aloeswood and agarwood, which are believed to have nerve-calming effects, and sandalwood, which is characterized by its sweet and refreshing odors. 

Shop staff burn samples for customers to test their aroma. The store also stocks an electric incense burner for home use, priced at 16,500 yen ($158), including tax.

Address: 164 Kageyukojicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto.

Open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on year-end and New Year holidays and midsummer “obon” holidays.

Visit the official website at (https://www.yamadamatsu.co.jp/en/).