Japanese Incense Specialty Store “Kokoudo Namba Marui Store” in Namba, Osaka
Category: Goods made in JAPAN
Hello, I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times.
Everyone, try to imagine the scent that fills the air when you visit a temple while sightseeing in Japan.
That unique fragrance, which calms the mind and brings a sense of peace, comes from the “incense” burned in temples—a scent often described as the “scent of Japan.”
This time, I visited “Kokoudo Namba Marui Store,” an incense specialty shop in Namba, Osaka, a popular tourist destination in Japan. Why not take some incense home as a souvenir and enjoy the scent of Japan in your own home?
A long-established incense manufacturer in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Incense is said to have been introduced to Japan approximately 1,400 years ago, along with the arrival of Buddhism. It spread as a pastime among the aristocracy, giving rise to “Kodo,” a uniquely Japanese culture centered on the appreciation of fragrance.
During the Nanban trade era in the late 16th century, the method for making incense sticks—made by kneading fragrant materials together and shaping them into sticks—was introduced from China to Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture, which was Japan’s largest trading port at the time.
As a result, Sakai City became renowned nationwide as a center for incense production.
Founded in 1657 in Sakai City—the birthplace of Japanese incense—Baieido is a long-established incense manufacturer with a history spanning 370 years.
Originally a wholesaler of traditional Chinese medicines, the company began manufacturing incense sticks and incense in Sakai—a city that flourished as a trading port for aromatic woods—as a specialty shop for aromatic woods.
To this day, the company continues to craft high-quality incense sticks using natural aromatic woods such as Kyara (agarwood), Jinko (aloeswood), and Byakudan (sandalwood), while constantly evolving its products to suit modern lifestyles.
“Kokoudo Namba Marui Store,” an incense specialty shop in Namba, Osaka
Today, we’d like to introduce “Kokoudo-古香堂,” a store directly operated by Baieido, located within the “Namba Marui” complex in Namba, Osaka. Situated in the heart of bustling Namba, it enjoys great popularity as a specialty shop for incense and joss sticks—a rarity in this area.
The store offers a wide selection ranging from traditional incense made with natural aromatic woods to casual incense created in collaboration with Japanese anime series, as well as a rich variety of Japanese-style goods.
One of the store’s appeals is that the knowledgeable staff provide attentive service, so even beginners can feel confident about purchasing incense. You can even “taste” the incense before lighting it to choose the scent that suits you best.
In addition, with excellent access from Kansai International Airport—the gateway to the Kansai region—this store is the perfect place to stop by right after arriving in Japan, as well as to pick up souvenirs before your departure.
Recommended Incense and Incense Holders at Kokoudo
Now, let’s take a look at some of our recommended incense and incense holders at Kokoudo.
The Popular “Kobunboku” Series
The “Kobunboku” series is Baieido’s flagship product and its most popular line. With over 100 years of history, it is one of Japan’s most renowned incense brands. The series offers a variety of options to suit different needs, ranging from standard to premium grades.
The standard “Kobunboku” (with red lettering on the packaging) features a relaxing, quintessentially Japanese scent created with an abundance of natural fragrances, including sandalwood and cinnamon.
“Tokusen Kobunboku” features a refreshing, elegant scent characterized by the generous use of 15 types of natural fragrances, including premium agarwood and sandalwood. We invite you to compare the scents and choose the one that suits you best.
“Busho” Series
The “Busho (Military commander）” series is highly popular among international tourists. It features scents inspired by the Warring States-era warlords Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda Nobunaga, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as the scent of Osaka Castle, one of Osaka’s most iconic historical landmarks.
It is said that these Warring States warlords burned aromatic woods as a symbol of their power and high status, and you can now experience the very scents they cherished. We recommend purchasing a single box, or even the entire series.
“KEITA MARUYAMA” Series
Baieido has collaborated with the global fashion brand “KEITA MARUYAMA” on a line of its long-selling products. The collection features stylish designs inspired by three distinct scents: Kobunboku, Kaiunko, and Byakudan Kokonoeko. With packaging stylish enough to serve as home decor, we invite you to pick one up as if you were choosing a new outfit.
▼ Click here for a detailed article on the “KEITA MARUYAMA” series
Katsushika Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e: “Arita-yaki Incense Holder”
Along with incense, incense holders featuring traditional Japanese designs are also popular.
A new product released in February 2026 features an incense holder decorated with ukiyo-e prints by Katsushika Hokusai.
There are two types of incense dishes: the “Waves” design features *The Great Wave off Kanagawa* from *Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji*, while the “Mount Fuji” design features *Fine Wind, Clear Weather* from the same series—both iconic masterpieces that represent Japan.
Furthermore, they are crafted from Arita ware—known as Japan’s first porcelain—and possess the charm of traditional crafts. They are also extremely popular as souvenirs, and a particularly appealing detail is that the incense holder itself is shaped to resemble Mount Fuji.
Japanese-style goods such as folding fans and gift envelopes
Kokoudo offers not only incense but also a wide variety of traditional Japanese goods.
Here, you’ll find an assortment of authentic Sensu (folding fans) perfect for the hot summer months. Their charm lies in their quintessentially Japanese designs, featuring cherry blossoms, goldfish, dragons, and more.
Traditional Japanese envelopes, such as “pochi-bukuro” (small envelopes used to hold small amounts of cash) and “goshugi-bukuro” (envelopes used to present cash gifts for celebrations such as weddings, births, and school enrollments), are also popular.
Pochi-bukuro come in a variety of styles, including those made of washi paper and those featuring traditional Japanese designs.
These gift envelopes are popular among foreign tourists because the traditional decorative cord, known as “mizuhiki,” is as beautiful as a work of art. Mizuhiki symbolizes protection from evil spirits and the strong bonds that connect people. Since these envelopes are considered very auspicious, we highly recommend choosing them as souvenirs.
Why not let the scent of incense take you back to Japan?
Japanese incense does more than just provide a pleasant scent; it also helps calm the mind. Whether for aromatherapy, meditation, or as a traditional craft item, it makes an excellent souvenir.
Burning incense at home is sure to bring back wonderful memories and scenes from your trip to Japan.
At “Kokoudo,” a specialty incense shop in Namba, Osaka, the staff will help you find the perfect incense to suit your needs. In addition to the friendly and attentive service provided by their knowledgeable staff, they offer a variety of payment options, so please feel free to stop by.
(Please note: The shop is scheduled to relocate to the 3rd floor of Namba Marui in August 2026.)
Store Information
Store Name: Kokoudo Namba Marui Store
Address: 3-8-9 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 542-0076
*Relocating to the 3rd floor in August 2026. Closed on August 1 due to the move.
Phone Number: 06-6760-4528
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed during the New Year holidays)
*Hours follow those of Namba Marui
Baieido Official Website: https://www.baieido.co.jp/
Baieido Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baieido_incense/
Baieido Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Baieido
