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Updated: March 11, 2026 All sessions are now sold out! Thank you for the incredible interest and support. We’re grateful to everyone who reserved a place and are excited to share this experience with participants throughout the program. Come back here for updates on future Kōdō programs and events, or follow us on Instagram: @u.s._kodo_initiative The Art of Listening to Scent: KODO 2026 March 7–15, 2026 Experience KODO, the Japanese Way of Incense, across three distinctive L

For those considering KODO 2026, here are some testimonials from first-time participants and incense enthusiasts. Discover the magic of "listening to fragrance." "My mind cleared instantly" "The concept of 'listening to fragrance' was eye-opening. As I focused, my mind naturally settled into a calm state. It was a rare moment of stillness I can't get in daily life. I want to experience it again." "Fragrance painted vivid scenes in my mind" "Like how wine evokes scenery, each

To ensure a smooth experience at KODO 2026, we have compiled answers to frequently asked questions. These cover information common to all venues. For any additional inquiries, please contact us via the contact form on each ticketing page. Who can attend? A: All programs are for adults aged 18+. Unfortunately, minors are not eligible to participate. Can I wear perfume? A: We have a strict scent-free policy to preserve the incense experience. Please refrain from perfume, cologn

Following a sold-out series of workshops this past March, the Japan-U.S. KODO Initiative returns to Los Angeles this spring with a special one-day event:  Listening to Scent - The Art of KODO Experience , to be held on May 14, 2026  at ALBION GARDEN in Abbot Kinney. This upcoming gathering offers a renewed opportunity to experience KODO, the traditional Japanese Way of Incense, through a guided and immersive program designed for both new and returning participants. A Continue

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for Listening to Scent: The Art of KODO , a special series of workshops held across Los Angeles this March. Your presence, curiosity, and thoughtful participation made these gatherings truly meaningful. The program ran from March 7 through March 15, 2026, bringing together participants across three unique venues to experience the traditional Japanese Way of Incense. Throughout the series, guests had the oppo

The 52 emblems associated with the inner chapters of The Tale of Genji  were already popular in early Edo Period. Since then, these symbols have been used in many places like kimono patterns, company logos, and ornamental figures in architecture because of their prominent design features, so much so that most Japanese people nowadays are not aware of the fact that these emblems originated from kodo. Still, Genji Koh remains to be one of the most favorite of the kumiko  games

Prior to the start of this kumiko game of Genji Koh (源氏香), the host should have prepared 5 different kinds of incense woods and cut out 5 small pieces from each of them. These pieces have been individually placed inside small paper packets, so the host has 25 packets of incense in front of them. The host then takes 20 packets randomly to put them aside, so only 5 packets are left in front of the host. Each of these 5 packets is to be heated in separate censers which will be p

Kumikō  (組香) is a game of incense where a literary or an artistic theme is expressed by a combination of several different kinds of incense woods, and the participants are expected to identify the fragrances as players of the game follow certain rules. The word “listen” is used instead of “smell” to reflect the subtle fragrance of the incense woods and the attention needed to appreciate them, as if one were to listen to a faint sound. Once the kumiko  session starts and a cen

"The Art of Listening to Scent: KODO 2026" is a special program introducing Kōdō, the Japanese Way of Incense, at Tortoise General Store. Through a guided workshop and a Genjiko (Genji Incense) experience, participants are invited to "listen" to fragrance as a contemplative, embodied practice. The program includes an introduction to the history and cultural background of Kōdō, guidance on core concepts, tools, and manners. Guests then take part in a Genjiko session and have t

The Japan–U.S. KODO Initiative will present “The Art of Listening to Scent: KODO 2026” at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC), Kosaka Center for Art & Crafts, in Los Angeles. This in‑person program offers a rare opportunity to experience the Japanese Way of Incense in a setting of silence, scent, and serenity. “The Art of Listening to Scent: KODO 2026” is a special program introducing Kōdō, the Japanese Way of Incense, at JACCC in Little Tokyo. Through a

The Japan–U.S. KODO Initiative will present “Listening to Scent – The Art of the Kōdō Experience –” at The Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO) on March 7. This rare program invites participants to experience the Japanese Way of Incense through a guided workshop, a Genjiko game, and an immersive installation. “Listening to Scent – The Art of the Kōdō Experience –” offers a special opportunity to encounter Kōdō, the Japanese Way of Incense, in Los Angeles. Through a guided wo

We are pleased to announce that KODO 2026, “The Art of Listening to Scent,” will be held in Los Angeles. KODO 2026 is a special program designed to share the traditional Japanese incense art of Kodo, inviting participants to experience fragrance as if “listening” to scent. Through lectures, demonstrations, and interactive sessions, the program will introduce the cultural background of incense and the refined aesthetics of Kodo to participants from both the U.S. and Japan. KOD