Turn your memories of your trip to Kyoto into a scent. “YOUR MUSK” Original Scented Sachet Workshop
Category: experience Goods made in JAPAN
Hello, I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a popular tourist destination in Kyoto, known for its quintessentially Japanese scenery. Sanneizaka (sannenzaka) is the charming, cobblestone slope that serves as the approach to the temple. The surrounding area is lined with souvenir shops and cafes housed in traditional Japanese homes, and it’s always bustling with tourists.
This time, I visited “YOUR MUSK Kyoto Sanneizaka,” a fragrance experience shop popular among foreign tourists. The original sachets—created by combining scents, sachet bags, and braided cords—make for a truly one-of-a-kind Kyoto souvenir.
About YOUR MUSK
“John’s Blend” is a fragrance brand that offers a wide range of products, with its signature scent being “White Musk”—a harmonious blend of refreshing soapy notes and the subtle sweetness of white florals. “YOUR MUSK” is the brand’s specialty fragrance store.
With locations in Kanagawa, Saitama, Kyoto, and other areas, it is popular among many tourists as an experiential shop where visitors can enjoy creating their own original fragrances.
In the main attraction, the “Original Fragrance Sachet Crafting Experience,” you can choose a scent based on your personal preferences or the mood of the day, and combine it with a sachet bag and braided cord to create a one-of-a-kind fragrance sachet.
The store also sells exclusive items such as perfumes, fragrance gels, and hand creams—perfect as souvenirs. It’s an experiential shop where you can take home the scent of your memories from your trip to Japan.
In this article, we’ll introduce the “YOUR MUSK Kyoto Sanneizaka Store,” which is particularly popular among foreign tourists.
Sanneizaka (sannenzaka), where the store is located, is a cobblestone approach leading to the Koyasu Kannon at Kiyomizu-dera Temple. In addition to historic temples and shrines, the street is lined with traditional townhouse-style souvenir shops and restaurants, creating a streetscape brimming with the unique charm of Kyoto.
The original fragrance sachet-making experience requires no reservation, so you can easily stop by while sightseeing at Kiyomizu-dera—another appealing feature of this shop.
The Only One in the World “Create Your Own Original Fragrance Sachet”
I went to the store right away to try my hand at making sachets. If you’re thinking of trying the sachet-making workshop at YOUR MUSK, I hope you’ll find this helpful.
1. Choose a scent
First, choose three scents from our 15 classic scents and seasonal limited-edition scents.
You can mix and match however you like. It’s fine to choose three different scents, or to pick your three favorites.
Let’s create your very own blend while referring to the scent testers. If you place the testers inside the box and experiment with different combinations, it’ll be easier to visualize the final result.
They all smell so good, I can’t decide…! So, I asked the store manager for her recommendations.
The most popular choice is “No. 1 WHITE MUSK,” which has become synonymous with John’s Blend. Characterized by a refreshing sweetness, it’s a scent loved by people of all genders.
Also popular is the Kyoto-exclusive “No. 12 MUSK SANDALWOOD.” Its charm lies in a gentle, soothing scent reminiscent of Kyoto’s ancient temples. If you’re looking for a quintessentially Japanese scent, “No. 5 SAKURA MUSK” is also highly recommended.
You can also decide on a scent by referring to our recommended scent combinations or consulting with our staff. We have staff members who speak foreign languages in addition to English, so please feel free to ask them for help.
Once you’ve decided on a scent, return the tester to its place and place the case containing your chosen scent capsule into the cup.
2. Choose a sachet bag
Next, choose a sachet bag to hold your fragrance.
The sachet bags are made from fabric upcycled from traditional Japanese kimonos. Each one features unique patterns, colors, and textures.
Since each piece is crafted by cutting a single piece of kimono fabric, even items made from the same fabric will feature unique pattern arrangements, making each one truly one-of-a-kind. This further enhances the special appeal of our original sachets.
When choosing your own unique piece, be sure to consider not only the pattern you like but also the texture of the fabric.
3. Choose a Kumihimo and charm
Next, choose Kumihimo (braided cord) to attach to your sachet.
The braided cords are “Kyoto Kumihimo” crafted by the long-established Kyoto shop “Showen Kumihimo.” There are a total of 12 varieties available: 7 solid colors and 5 original color combinations. Since this cord serves as an accent for your sachet, have fun selecting a combination that complements its colors and patterns.
Pairing your sachet with these beautiful braided cords, which showcase the skill of master craftsmen, adds the unique charm of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Additionally, you can choose from eight different charms to attach as an optional extra.
4. Blending Scents
Once you’ve chosen your scent, sachet, and Kumihimo (braided cord), it’s time to blend the three scents.
Before you begin, we recommend lining up the items you’ve chosen and taking a commemorative photo.
Using a special blending tool, mix the scent capsules together. The resulting fragrance is fresher and richer than when you tested it with the tester.
5. Complete!
Once the three scents are thoroughly blended, place the mixture into a sachet bag, tie the Kumihimo (braided cord), and you’re done.
The scent wafting from your one-of-a-kind, original sachet is sure to put you in a happy mood.
Once you’re finished, be sure to enjoy taking photos inside the store.
To finish, the sachet, a scent evaluation sheet, and a mini calendar made of Kyoto Yuzen washi paper—marked with the purchase date—are placed in a special cup, which is then covered with a lid and ready to take home. Another nice feature is that it comes with a handle, so you can carry it right away.
6. Use it wherever you like
Once you take your sachet home, you can enjoy it in a variety of ways—hang it in your closet, on a doorknob, or in your entryway; place it in your car as a car fragrance; or put it inside your bag or suitcase to carry it with you.
The scent lasts for about 1.5 to 2 months. If the scent fades, you can purchase a refill for 1,100 yen (tax included) by bringing in the sachet bag. It’s great that you can buy refills even at stores other than the one where you originally made the sachet.
The next time you visit Japan, we recommend trying a new scent blend at a different store.
Details on the Original Scented Sachet Crafting Workshop
Workshop Fee: From ¥3,300 (tax included)
*Includes customization of the sachet bag, fragrance, and string.
*Custom charms are subject to an additional charge.
*No reservation is required at any of our stores.
Estimated Duration: About 20–30 minutes
Fragrance Lasts: About 1.5–2 months
Fragrance gels and hand creams also make great souvenirs
At YOUR MUSK, in addition to the sachet-making workshop, we also sell our own original products, such as fragrance gels and hand creams.
Both products use Kyoto Yuzen washi paper for their packaging, featuring charming, quintessentially Japanese designs.
The Fragrance Gel (1,650 yen, tax included) is an air freshener that fills your room or entryway with the scent of white musk simply by placing it there. The Hand Cream (1,100 yen, tax included) contains six types of moisturizing ingredients and is characterized by a texture that feels moisturizing yet light on the skin.
With their affordable prices and wide variety of designs, these products are perfect not only for yourself but also as souvenirs.
You’ll also want to check out the perfumes that feature white musk and distinctly Japanese scents. The lineup includes “Eau de Parfum White Musk,” “Eau de Parfum Musk Kinmokusei,” “Sakura,” “Yuzu,” and “Matcha,” as well as monthly limited-edition scents.
I tried the testers myself, and all of them have refreshing scents that aren’t overpowering. As perfumes that capture the essence of Japan, they make excellent souvenirs.
Take home the scent of your Kyoto trip as a keepsake
“YOUR MUSK Kyoto Sanneizaka Store” is a great place to visit while strolling through Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sanneizaka (sannenzaka). Choose a scent and combine it with a sachet pouch made from kimono fabric or traditional Kyoto braided cord to create your own original fragrance sachet—a one-of-a-kind souvenir brimming with the essence of Kyoto.
Even after your trip is over, the scent wafting from the sachet will surely bring back memories of your time in Kyoto and the city’s beautiful streetscapes. Why not take home the wonderful memories of your Kyoto trip in the form of a scent—one that’s truly one-of-a-kind?
In addition to the Sanneizaka store in Kyoto, there are other YOUR MUSK locations throughout Japan where you can enjoy store-exclusive scents and uniquely designed spaces. Be sure to check them out when you visit different parts of Japan.
Store Information
Store Name: YOURMUSK by John’s Blend, Kyoto Sanneizaka Store
Address: 3-331-1 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone Number: 075-585-5588
Hours: Summer / 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Winter / 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Summer: From the Spring Equinox to the Fall Equinox | Winter: From the Fall Equinox to the Spring Equinox)
*Closes at 9:00 PM during Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s special nighttime viewing period. For details, please visit the official Kiyomizu-dera Temple website.
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johns_blend_kyoto_sanneizaka/
YOUR MUSU Official Website: https://www.johns-blend.com/view/page/yourmusk_en
YOURMUSK: Information on Other Locations
・Kyoto Nishiki Market Store
Address: 1st Floor, Roa Kyoto Building, 458-1 Jumonji-cho, Yanagibaba-dori, Takoyakushi-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8121
・Kamakura Komachi-dori Store
Address: 2-2-13 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0006
・Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Store
Address: 2nd Floor, Building 2, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, 1-1-1 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0001
・Kawagoe Store
Address: 8-4 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture 350-0063
・Narita International Airport Store (Pop-up)
June 3, 2026 (Wed) – For a limited time
Location: Inside Narita International Airport, 4th Floor of the New Wing of Terminal 1, within the AIRPORT MALL (pre-departure area)
