Make matcha incense in Uji: Upcycled tea craft class

Roll and shape matcha into incense that smells like tea and lasts as an aroma stone

A 60-minute matcha incense craft class at Eshin-in Temple in Uji where you make 6–7 pieces from upcycled matcha powder, then take them home. The raw material is soft and soothing to handle. Each finished piece holds its shape long after the scent fades, so you can reuse it as an aroma stone. The venue overlooks Byodoin Temple across the Uji River and sits in the heart of Uji's tourist center, a five-minute walk from Uji Bridge.

The experience

What makes this class different is the material itself. The matcha comes from powder that accumulates in the crevices of tea-processing machines and would normally be thrown away. Fresh Uji matcha is mixed in, so you're working with real tea, not a substitute. The instructor walks you through the world's only matcha incense made from wooden moulds, a 15-minute introduction, then you spend 45 minutes rolling, shaping and finishing 6–7 pieces of your own. The clay-like texture is soft enough to mold by hand and has a tactile, calming quality as you work.

The class runs at Eshin-in Temple, a working Buddhist temple in the center of Uji. Its garden is planted with seasonal flowers and faces Byodoin Temple across the river, so you're surrounded by the landscape that makes Uji a destination. You'll arrive five minutes early, start on time, and leave with the incense you made plus a special gift box of five additional pieces. A souvenir that actually comes from your own hands. Discount tickets to the Uji Municipal Tea House and the Tale of Genji Museum are included, so you can extend the afternoon into the town's tea and literary history if you want.

Parking is free for one car. Public transport stops are nearby if you prefer. The minimum age is 15. If you book the English-language option, an interpreter will be arranged and charged at ¥8,800 per group on the day of the class.

What’s included

• All materials and tools for the workshop.
• the 6–7 pieces of matcha incense you create.
• a gift box of five additional matcha incense pieces.
• discount tickets to the Uji Municipal Tea House and the Tale of Genji Museum.
• one free parking space.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and WednesdayDepartures at 10:30 and 13:30

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 8,800

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by INCENSE KITCHEN

Is this one for you?The instructor teaches in Japanese, so book the English interpreter option if you don't speak the language. It's arranged for your group and charged at ¥8,800 on the day. The class runs exactly on schedule, so arrive five minutes early to settle in before the introduction begins.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What exactly do I take home from the class?

You take home the 6–7 pieces of matcha incense you make during the 45-minute workshop, plus a special gift box containing five more pieces as a souvenir. Each piece can be burned for its tea aroma or reused as an aroma stone once the scent fades.

Where is Eshin-in Temple and how do I get there?

Eshin-in is in the heart of Uji's tourist center, a five-minute walk from Uji Bridge. Public transport options are available nearby, and one free parking space is provided. If the lot is full, paid parking is available close by.

What is the matcha incense actually made from?

The incense is made entirely from matcha powder: specifically, fresh Uji matcha blended with matcha that would otherwise be discarded from tea-processing machines. No other ingredients are used, so it's real tea, not a scented product.

How long does the class take and what's included in the price?

The class runs 60 minutes total: a 15-minute introduction to matcha incense and how to burn it, then 45 minutes making your pieces. The price includes all materials, tools, taxes, one free parking space, discount tickets to the Uji Municipal Tea House and the Tale of Genji Museum, and the gift box of five incense pieces.