Tokyo: Matcha and Incense Making Experience in Shibuya

The memorable part of this Shibuya class is turning a handful of fragrant ingredients into incense that smells like your own idea of calm. You start with matcha, then move on to blending, kneading, and shaping a small handmade souvenir.

I like the hands-on choice of scents and shapes, and the fact that Casey and the other English-speaking hosts explain the ingredients as you work. The matcha gives the class a gentle start, while the incense-making offers a practical taste of Japanese fragrance traditions.

One point to plan for: the meeting location can be confusing. The listed address is 雑煮屋鳥居, and one participant found the venue down stairs; another noted a difference between the meeting point and the workshop location. Check your voucher and messages before you go, and leave large bags behind.

What makes this Shibuya workshop worth considering

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• Whisk your own matcha: The session begins with a traditional bamboo chasen and a bowl of matcha to prepare and taste.
• Build a scent from individual ingredients: Smell the available fragrant ingredients, then measure and combine them to suit your preference.
• Shape your own incense: You knead the mixture by hand and can choose from different shapes.
• Learn from English-speaking hosts: Casey and hosts such as KC and Sho guide the process and explain incense ingredients and Japanese incense traditions.
• Take home a handmade souvenir: Your own incense is included, giving you a tangible reminder of the class.
• Fit a cultural activity into a Shibuya day: The class is described as a quick activity, though an exact duration is not specified.

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Starting with matcha and a bamboo whisk

The experience opens with matcha preparation. You’ll learn how to whisk the tea with a traditional bamboo chasen, then drink the bowl you have made before moving on to fragrance work. It’s a welcome change of pace from Shibuya’s shopping streets and bright signs: for a few moments, the focus is on the bowl, the whisk, and getting the texture right.

The matcha also gives the class a natural rhythm. Rather than rushing straight into a craft, you begin with a small, deliberate task, then shift from taste and texture to scent. If you are new to matcha, this is a low-pressure way to handle the basic whisking technique.

There is one practical detail worth checking. The activity description includes making and tasting matcha, and one participant specifically mentions hot matcha. At the same time, the booking information says meals and beverages are not included. Confirm what is covered in your selected package if the tea service matters to you, and don’t count on this class as a meal.

Smelling, measuring, and blending the ingredients

The incense-making portion begins with the ingredients. You’ll smell the available scents, learn about their notes, and choose what you want to combine. The instructor explains the materials and helps you judge how much of each to use, so you don’t have to arrive with a trained nose or a plan.

This is the heart of the activity. Each ingredient affects the final blend, and the process invites you to make choices rather than follow a single fixed recipe. You can lean toward a scent you already like, or experiment with combinations that are new to you. The point is not to produce a perfect, shop-ready fragrance on the first try. It is to make something personal and understand a little more about how Japanese incense is put together.

The method is tactile and measured. You work with the ingredients, mix the powder, and knead the blend before shaping it. Participants describe the process as patient and relaxed, but it does involve using your hands and taking care with the proportions. If you enjoy small, practical tasks, that precision is part of the pleasure. If you prefer a demonstration with no hands-on work, this is not that kind of class.

The instructor also provides context about incense in Japan, including its history and the ingredients used. One participant connected the teaching to kōdō, the Japanese art of appreciating incense. You should expect an introduction rather than an exhaustive history lesson, but the background helps turn a simple craft into a more meaningful cultural activity.

Shaping incense by hand

Once your blend is ready, you knead and shape it. Different forms are available, which adds another personal choice to the process. You’re not just taking home a standard souvenir; you have a hand in deciding both the scent and its shape.

This is a good activity for a couple or friends because you can compare your choices as you work. It also suits families: children aged seven and older may participate, and families have enjoyed making incense together. The work is approachable, but younger children will need to follow the instructor’s steps and handle the materials with care.

The final scent may not match a professional incense stick exactly, and that is part of the bargain. Your blend reflects the ingredients and proportions you selected, not a factory formula. Think of the finished incense as a small record of the decisions you made during the class. When you burn it later, the scent can bring back the quieter side of your Tokyo visit.

Your handmade incense is included as a souvenir. Some participants have also received small containers or an incense-burning accessory, but those extras are not specified as guaranteed inclusions. Count on taking home the incense itself, and treat any additional item as a possible bonus rather than part of the deal.

Casey, KC, and the value of good instruction

The hosts are one of the strongest reasons to book. Casey is a name that comes up often, while other participants refer to KC and Sho. The teaching is described as friendly, patient, and clear, with explanations of the ingredients and help when you need to adjust your blend. English-speaking staff are included, and participants have found it easy to follow the steps in English.

That matters more here than it might in a simple craft demonstration. You are making choices about ingredients and proportions, so a host who can explain what you are smelling helps you get more from the session. Casey has also been described as sharing a family connection to the craft, including his grandmother’s interest in incense. That personal element can add warmth without turning the workshop into a formal lecture.

The class is not presented as a demanding technical course. It is a guided introduction that leaves room for conversation and experimentation. If you want advanced incense-making instruction or a long study of fragrance traditions, this may be too brief. If you want a relaxed, intelligible first encounter, the format makes sense.

Finding the workshop in Shibuya

The listed meeting point is 雑煮屋鳥居, at 2-8 Uguisudanicho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0032. The booking information also gives 雑煮屋鳥居 as the meeting point, but some participants have found the actual workshop location difficult to identify. One noted that it was down stairs, while another said the studio address differed from the meeting-point address and that the host helped them get there.

So, don’t rely on a quick glance at the map pin. Read the voucher and any instructions sent after booking, and contact the operator if the directions seem unclear. Arriving with time to spare is sensible, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area or the entrance is not obvious. The activity does not include transport or hotel pickup and drop-off.

There is no space for luggage or large bags. Leave suitcases and bulky shopping bags at your accommodation or in your vehicle before heading to the class. The workshop is intended for participants aged seven and older, and it is not recommended for people with asthma because the activity involves fragrant ingredients.

Is the $22.15 starting price good value?

At a starting price of $22.15, this is an appealing way to spend part of a Tokyo day if you value participation more than a big-ticket attraction. The price covers admission to the incense-making workshop, English-speaking staff, tax, and the incense you make. You are paying for guided instruction and a custom, take-home object, not for transport, accommodation, meals, or other personal expenses.

The value is strongest if you want a cultural activity that gives you something to do with your hands. You smell and compare ingredients, make decisions about your own blend, and leave with a souvenir that has a direct connection to the experience. That can feel more personal than buying a ready-made item in a shop.

It is less compelling if you are looking for a full meal, a lengthy class, or a broad sightseeing tour. The exact duration is not stated in the booking details, so ask before booking if you need to fit the activity into a tight schedule. The starting price can also change, so check the total for your date and package before paying.

Who should book this class?

I’d put this workshop on the list for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with children aged seven or older. It gives you a quiet, creative counterpoint to a day spent shopping or sightseeing in Shibuya, and the guided format makes it suitable even if you know little about incense or matcha.

It is a particularly good fit if you like scents, crafts, or small cultural experiences where you can ask questions and make something yourself. You do not need to be artistic, but you should be willing to handle the ingredients and follow the mixing and shaping steps. The class is also a sensible choice for a short gap in your itinerary, though you should confirm the scheduled duration if timing is tight.

Think twice if you have asthma, need a fully hands-off activity, or are carrying large bags. And if your main interest is the matcha, confirm what tea is included, since the package information lists meals and beverages as not included even though matcha is part of the activity description.

Booking and practical details

The experience is offered by Around.Inc, with a starting price of $22.15 for the Matcha and Incense Making Experience. Your voucher is valid only for the specified date and time, where applicable, and you can present it on your phone. Confirmation is normally sent within minutes; if it does not arrive, contact customer support.

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with some exclusions for bookings made through specific passes, promotions, or vouchers that have not yet been issued. Check the terms attached to your booking before relying on a change or cancellation.

Should you book the Shibuya matcha and incense class?

Book it if you want a friendly, hands-on introduction to incense-making, with a bowl of matcha to start and your own blend to take home. The strongest draw is the combination of ingredient tasting, careful guidance, and personal choices about scent and shape. It offers a quieter memory of Tokyo than another hour in a shop or arcade.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed long class, a meal, or a venue with storage for large bags. Before setting out, verify the meeting instructions and clarify the matcha details for your package. With those points settled, this is a good-value, low-key cultural stop in Shibuya.

FAQ

Where does the workshop meet?

The listed meeting point is 雑煮屋鳥居, at 2-8 Uguisudanicho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0032. Check your voucher and any directions from the host, since the workshop location may not be identical to the meeting point.

What is included in the activity?

Admission to the incense-making workshop, English-speaking staff, tax, and the handmade incense souvenir are included.

Is matcha part of the experience?

The activity description says you prepare matcha with a bamboo whisk and drink it before the incense-making portion. The booking information also lists meals and beverages as not included, so confirm the tea details for your selected package.

How old do participants need to be?

Participants must be at least seven years old.

Is the class taught in English?

English-speaking staff are included. Participants have described the instruction as clear and easy to follow in English.

Can I bring a suitcase or large bag?

There is no room to store luggage or large bags. Leave them at your accommodation or in your vehicle.

Is the activity suitable for someone with asthma?

The activity is not recommended for people with asthma.

Do I need to bring my own incense-making materials?

The workshop admission and your handmade incense are included. The information does not specify that you need to bring materials.

Is transport to the workshop included?

No. Transport and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.