Kuumba International, primarily known for its incense, has a charming shop in Tomigaya, a quiet yet trendy area next to the equally stylish Yoyogi. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, you'll find Kuumba Book Shop, with its back wall lined with a wide variety of neatly packaged stick incense. Large leather binders are laid out on tables in the back, filled with samples you can flip through. Under the warm lighting, you could easily spend hours exploring each binder, entertained by unique names like Macy’s or Paris Hilton.

Popular stores like BEAMS Men keep incense burning all day in large metal cans at their entrances, giving you a preview of their favorites. If you want to narrow down your options, take note of what these shops are using before heading over to Kuumba.

While the choices might seem endless, it’s fun to pick up a couple of new scents to try when you get home. Kuumba offers three sizes: mini, large and jumbo. If you’re unsure, we recommend starting with the mini size (they burn for about 30 minutes on average). Don’t forget to grab an incense tray holder if you don’t already have one – while you can find other types at department stores or boutiques, the acrylic ones at Kuumba offer the best bang for your buck.

While it’s a bit of a walk and select Kuumba scents can be found at other shops around Tokyo, the Tomigaya location is worth visiting if you’re already in the area—especially when paired with nearby stops like Blue Lug and Nata de Cristiano, or as a relaxed detour after a stroll through Yoyogi Park.