If you're curious about using incense but aren't sure how—like “I don’t really understand how to use it,” “How do you burn incense?” or “How am I supposed to enjoy it?”—don’t worry, beginners often feel the same.
Here, we’ll introduce not only how to use incense, but also the different types and the basic tools you’ll need. Feel free to read through casually to get started.
Basic Knowledge About Incense
Incense Can Be Divided into 7 Types
Incense can be classified into seven types: (1) stick incense (senkō), (2) fragrant wood (kōboku), (3) powdered incense (shōkō), (4) sachet incense (nioikō), (5) kneaded incense (nerikō), (6) powdered incense for rituals (makkō), and (7) body-applied incense (zukō). When people hear "stick incense," they often associate it with Buddhist rituals or gravesites.
The word "incense" as in “burning incense” typically refers to stick incense. For hobbies or personal use, it's called "incense," while for religious purposes, it's referred to as "senkō"—but they are actually the same thing. So technically, incense used for personal enjoyment falls under the category of senkō.
Stick Incense Offers the Widest Range of Scents
Stick incense offers by far the widest variety of fragrances among all types. It’s perfect for those who want to try many different scents. Incense for hobby use comes in stick, cone, and coil forms. For more information, see Choosing by Incense Shape.
Smokeless “Non-Burning” Incense
If your impression of incense is “smoky,” “burnt,” or just “smells like smoke,” consider trying incense you can enjoy at room temperature.
There are sachet-style options like nioikō (scent bags, sachets) you can place in drawers or bags, and zukō, which you apply directly to your skin (like your wrists or neck) where body heat releases the scent. There are also spray-type incense products you can enjoy indoors.
Fragrant Woods and Kneaded Incense Change Based on How They're Burned
Depending on how it’s burned, incense can be enjoyed without producing smoke—even when using fire. This includes “Soradaki” (indirect heating) and “Monkō” (heating on silver leaf). There's also the option of using an electric incense burner to release the fragrance using heat.
Incense suitable for these methods includes fragrant woods, kneaded incense, and pressed incense.
How to Burn Kneaded IncenseView All Kneaded Incense
Incense Knowledge
Tools You Need for Burning Incense
When burning incense (senkō) for personal enjoyment, you’ll need either a censer (kōro) or incense holder (kōtate). These tools are made from non-combustible materials such as ceramic, porcelain, copper, or iron—each with its own advantages.
How to Use a Censer
You’ll need ash when using a censer. Fill about 70–80% of the censer with ash and lightly press it down. If the ash is too soft, stick incense may not stand upright. You can also break the stick and lay it down. For cone and coil incense, simply place them gently on top of the ash.
The benefit of using a censer is easy cleanup. Ash allows the incense to burn all the way down, so there’s often no residue. However, in humid conditions (like during the rainy season), the ash can absorb moisture and prevent complete burning.
If unburned incense remains in the ash, it’s time to replace it. Depending on usage, once a year is generally enough. If using a censer with a lid, open it while burning incense—it helps it burn better and keeps the lid clean.
How to Use an Incense Holder
When using an incense holder, prepare a non-combustible plate to catch the ash. The plate should be just large enough so the incense doesn’t extend past the edges when viewed from the top or side. Stick incense is inserted into the hole in the holder. Hole size varies by product, so check if it fits your incense.
Most commercial incense holders are for stick incense. Cone and coil types often come with their own holders or non-flammable mats, so use those. For stick incense, the part inserted into the holder won’t burn completely. After the incense is fully extinguished, clean off the ash from the plate.
Incense holders are inexpensive and come in a wide range of designs, making them more accessible than censers. You can also use ceramic dishes from home as incense plates, making this a great option for beginners.
How to Burn / Things to Watch Out For
Make sure the area where you're burning incense is clean and flat, and that it’s not exposed to direct wind.
How to Burn Incense
1. Hold the incense you want to burn and light it.
2. Gently wave it downward in your hand.
3. Once the flame settles, place it carefully.
Things to Watch Out For
- Don’t burn incense continuously in a censer. → Residual embers in the ash can cause the next stick to fall.
- If burning multiple sticks at once in a censer, space them out. → If they’re too close, fire transfer can cause them to fall.
- Never leave incense unattended until it has completely burned out.
How to Store Incense
Incense is sensitive to heat and humidity. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or in hot and humid places. If kept in a cool place and stored in a box, the fragrance will last longer.
How to Use Incense
Incense has been a cherished part of people's lives for around 1,500 years. Today, it's used not only for enjoying the fragrance but also in various situations like before sleep, to focus on work, or to relax.
Incense Knowledge
For Welcoming Guests
Light incense to match the timing of your guests' arrival, or place a scented sachet on a shoe cabinet (known as "okou") to greet them.
It's common to experience the aroma of incense at the entrances of traditional inns and fine restaurants.
As a Substitute for Perfume
Place a scented sachet in seasonal clothing storage or a wardrobe.
The subtle fragrance transfers to your clothes or handkerchief, giving off a gentle scent when worn. More people are now blending their own custom sachets.
As a Timer
Incense has long been used not only for its scent but also to measure time, such as during Buddhist sutra recitations with fixed-length sticks.
It's often used in yoga, zazen (seated meditation), and mindfulness practices because you can enjoy the scent while using it as a timekeeper.
For Relaxation
Simply enjoying the fragrance of incense is wonderful, but combining it with hobbies is also recommended.
Reading, listening to music, browsing the internet—there are many moments in daily life where incense can enhance your time. Some even bring their favorite scents when traveling.
To Purify a Space
Lighting incense after cleaning the room is recommended, as it makes the air feel even more refreshed. In small spaces like bathrooms, use low-smoke incense to avoid a stuffy atmosphere.
Some inns and restaurants also burn incense in their restrooms.
For a Mental Reset
With remote work becoming more common, it's easy to lose a sense of time at home.
Use incense as a timer or enjoy its fragrance to refresh your mind and switch between work and personal time.
How to Choose Incense
Choose by Shape
Incense used for personal enjoyment mainly comes in three shapes: stick, cone, and coil.
Features of Stick Incense
Compared to coil and cone types, stick incense has a shorter production process, allowing for more efficient manufacturing, which makes it the most common type. Sizes around 13–14 cm are the most widely produced.
Since it is in stick form, the fragrance spreads evenly while burning, producing a consistent scent. It’s also easy to adjust the burning time by breaking it.
Estimated burning time (varies by product): Mini (approx. 7cm) ~ about 15 minutes; Short (approx. 13cm) ~ 25 to 30 minutes
Features of Coil Incense
Coil incense has a longer burning time than stick or cone types, making it ideal for scenting large spaces or for prolonged use. It’s often burned at entrances of inns and restaurants so that pleasant aroma welcomes guests anytime.
Some types for ceremonial use can burn for up to 12 hours. This shape is more delicate and crafted with greater care than sticks or cones.
Estimated burning time (varies by product; excluding ceremonial use): approx. 40 to 90 minutes
Features of Cone Incense
Cone incense is more robust than stick or coil types. As it burns, the surface area increases, resulting in a stronger and more intense fragrance and smoke.
It can spread fragrance quickly over a wide area, making it perfect for sudden visitors. It is also less affected by wind, so ash does not scatter easily.
Estimated burning time (varies by product): approx. 7 to 15 minutes
Choose by Fragrance Category
If you "know your favorite scents" or "have a preferred fragrance category," try selecting from traditional Japanese styles (sandalwood, aloeswood, kyara, and other fragrant woods), Western styles (floral scents, fruity scents, etc.), or your favorite fragrance category.
If you are new to incense and don’t know your preferred scent or want to try various fragrances, our 20-Variety Incense Set is highly recommended.
This incense assortment set includes 3 types selected from fragrance categories to cover as wide a range as possible. Using these three sets, you can try a total of 60 different fragrances.
If you have no idea what to choose...
If you might like Japanese-style scents...
If you might prefer Western-style scents...
Choose by Incense Type (other than sticks)
If you want to try types of incense other than sticks, please refer to the following.
Incense That Uses Fire
Incense That Does Not Require Fire
This incense is made by chopping or powdering incense materials that release fragrance at room temperature and mixing them to create a scent.
Powdered Incense
Incense applied to the body for purification, scented at room temperature
Incense Burned Without Smoke
This method heats incense gently and indirectly without lighting it directly with fire, releasing fragrance. Recommended for those who dislike smoke or want to enjoy pure incense scent without smoke.
Kneeded incense
Incense sachets, room fragrances, etc., that scent at room temperature
