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Asakichi Incense
Category: Shopping Flowers & Gifts Flowers & Gifts [Edit]
1730 Geary BlvdSte 209
(at Webster St)
San Francisco, CA 94115
Neighborhoods: Japantown, Lower Pac Heights, Pacific Heights, Western Addition/NOPA
(415) 921-8292
- Hours:
Mon-Tue 11 am - 6 pm
Wed-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Francesca L. said: "We purchased their wedding combo package of gerbera daisies and roses. There were more than enough flowers and fillers included for a bridal bouquet, 6 bridesmaids bouquets, and a toss bouquet. The care directions they sent just…" read more »
33 reviews for Asakichi Incense
Review Highlights
"Big selection, knowledgable guy behind the counter."
(in 3 reviews)
"If you have never experienced Japanese incense you are in..."
(in 11 reviews)
"My favs so far are the cherry blossoms and sandalwood."
(in 5 reviews)
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33 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica R.
Oakland, CA
1/4/2012
There are two types of incense:
the hippy-dippy kind that is made to cover up the god awful give of weed smell, dry out, and evade your nostrils like an intrusive grandmother into your private life
Then there is this stuff.
The incense that can elevate your mood, calm your spirits, and make the day better during the twenty to thirty minutes of burning time with just a light of a match. Find your scent here, because ladies and gentlemen...this shit is as good as it gets.
I was always an incense gal, but now I'm exclusively an Asakichi Incense user. -
Review from Derek N.
San Francisco, CA
Compact store that carries phenomenal incenses.
Bought two boxes of Horikawa sticks / Horin series
[made by Shoyeido Incense Co. from Japan.]
I light these every morning,
at the home shrine.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2010
This is a one-of-a-kind type store that has a great selection for your incense fix.
I heard about… Read more »
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Review from Charles U.
Fremont, CA
7/27/2011
Overall, this is a nice incense shop. It's a very cool location because it is located in the fly-over that hovers over Post Street (I think), connecting the 2 buildings of Japan Center.
The store itself is pretty small, and if there are other customers, there really isn't room to browse. Plus, with so many expensive things nearby, I have never really felt comfortable browsing as much as I would like. It's really just an incense shop. There are no butsugu at this store. There are some incense burners and accessories, however. -
Review from Rebekah T.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was wandering through the Japantown Center, when I noticed the Asakichi Incense shop. I actually ~ smelled it ~ before I got there. It's the tiniest little shop, but it lured me in.
I popped in to browse around and found what I didn't know I was looking for - Incense Oils. I recently bought one of those Incense Burners and LOVE the way they make my house smell so good for days.
The lady who owns this shop is the nicest person. I love small businesses like this and people who love what they do. I'm a fan.
I bought the Gardenia Oil- it's a warming lingering fragrance. I liked it so much that I'm already out of it. But I also bought the Jasmine, so I'll be loving that next.
I find it extremely relaxing to have a little aromatherapy in my home. It's the little things that make your place your home. -
Review from Helene K.
1/27/2011 1 photo
Coming out of Kinokuniya, I got a waft of the incense coming from Asakichi. Out of the 3.5 years of living in SF, I had yet to stop by Asakichi (most times the place appeared closed when I walked by in the evenings).
Today was the last day (in awhile) for me to be in Japantown. So I waltzed into Asakichi and was glad that I did.
It's a tiny shop, so customers can't really stand and contemplate too long. But that's perfectly fine, because the other customers and I were in Asakichi for a specific purpose, not lighthearted browsing. All of us walked out of the shop with a small bundle of incense.
Get a decent bundle of incense for under $5 (I got 50 sticks for $2.50); if you burn a lot of incense at home, then buy a larger bundle for a still-reasonable price.
Lots of different scents here (rose, musk, lavender, etc.) and some of the brands were labeled with intangible words such as "Love", "Joy", "Hope", etc.
There were also gift sets and incense holders close to the register. The shop owner was sweet and willing to help us with our selections. I settled on two 50-pks of incense, and, to sweeten the deal off, the owner gave me a complimentary pack of matches with "Asakichi Incense" printed on it.
The visit was very worth it. I only wish I had visited Asakichi Incense earlier on in my stay here. -
Review from Gerard Y.
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been looking all over for a place that's not in the Haight, but has a good selection of incense and holders for incense. I called ahead to see if there were closed for Labor Day and they weren't. There's actually 2 stores. One with what looks like Tea pots and accessories. I was told the incense was found about 2 doors down. And I hit the incense jackpot, so to speak, since this store was dedicated for that. The guy inside was very helpful when I asked him some questions about incense and even remembered that I called earlier to see if they were open. I walked out happy with some incense sticks and a nice incense holder. No more mess with ashes anymore.
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Review from David T.
Mountain View, CA
12/12/2011
i love this store is an understatment on how i feel about it. if you want buy incense in san francisco bay area go to asakichi. not only they will treat you with utmost respect but they will spend time with you to help you make the best choice. all of that comes with pure desire to please shoppers. i give them a dimond medal if i could. and out of 5 stars they get my 10 stars.
i love this store. keep up the great work asakichi. san francisco is a better place because of you. -
Review from David B.
I'm a sensory oriented kinda guy.
I'm big into taste.....
I have my hands all over things...
I hear all sorts of cute sounds....in a manly kinda way, mind you....
I love the smell of flowers....
So when I wanted some, completely in a 'off the cuff kinda way...I knew the shop owner would accomodate my ways....
Quickly he asked my interests and immediately the bic lighter came to life....waffing scents of lilac and tuberose filled his small shop. I finally narrowed it all down to a few sets of neatly packaged incense, since the Japanese are big on packaging, he wrapped it without inquisition.
I smiled inside.
Leaving shortly thereafter with my prized new insense I knew I'd be happy with my purchase. So much attention goes into the customer and experience here. You feel as if you are the only one in the store.
I heart Japantown!Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Dorje T.
Bothell, WA
1/28/2011
Being a customer of almost 20 years of Asakichi, I can honestly tell you that my knowledge and tastes of incense (and Japanese culture overall) have been heightened by this small shop that sits on the bridge in San Francisco's Japantown. The penultimate incense shop on the West Coast of North America!
If you know what you want, you can go in and get out. But if you want to learn, that too will be readily accomodated. Redolent, aromatic treasures are bought out from behind the counter for you to experience and they then explain the process, ingredients and thought behind the incense you are now experiencing. Truly, As good as it gets! -
Review from Russell D.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2010
This little tiny place is a gem. Lot's of wonderful incense and very nice proprietor. He is quite adept at remembering your face, what you purchased last and always asks for feedback. He's suggested based on our preferences several very nice things we might not have otherwise tried. We also enjoy the occasional samples he slips into our bag when we make a larger purchase.
This place is tiny-tiny-tiny, on the bridge in Japan Town. Two customers is a crowd, but the intimacy and kindness of the service make it wonderful. All our incense needs are satisfied here. -
Review from David O.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
The people who work in there are very helpful. They know the their product so well.
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Review from Kim D.
2/23/2010 3 Check-ins Here
On a recent foray into J-Town, I was feeling like I needed to recharge my vaguely Asian components. An old friend insisted that we get some incense, speaking of this tiny boutique in an almost reverent tone.
The entire shoppe is *almost* the size of my kitchen, so don't blink, or you might miss it, but for the gentle fragrance of "Zen" wafting into the walkway. I was impressed with selection of incense in stick and cone form. While the inventory was staggering, the space was not at all cluttered. So Japanese.
I picked out a very traditional sandalwood blend that was highly recommended. The proprietor was quite amusing - he writes all of his receipts out by hand... and it's just him. He kindly helped me choose the appropriate holder, which was lacquered in muted tones of cerulean and sand.
Be patient, bliss out, and be calm - service may be slow, but it will be polite, so just go with it! -
Review from David P.
2/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are serious about Japanese incense, this is your place. What I really appreciate is that the staff there have been patient enough with me to light up as many sample sticks as I've needed to get just the scent I was looking for.
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Review from Josua P.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2007
When I was younger I burned incense for the sole purpose of covering up the smell of me smoking schwag weed out of some crappy old pipe.
"Why are you burning incense?" my mom would ask.
Long pause.
"Ummm...it's relaxing?"
My mom looks around the room. "Are you smoking pot?"
Longer pause.
"Uuh...no."
Long suspicious, lingering stare. She leaves.
"Damn I'm smooth."
I've since changed (although the smoothness endures) and now expect a certain degree of craftsmanship and sophistication. This is NOT the shit you buy 12 sticks for $1 from a head shop. This is NOT the shit you get at the likka sto' that smells like cherry or tangerine. This is artisanal Japanese incense used primarily in the bathroom. I'm kidding. Well, not entirely. Asakichi Incense is the size of a walk-in closet but the dude there is very knowledgeable and is willing to fire up samples. He has a genuine interest in finding just the right scent you're looking for.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to smoke some kind green out of a hand blown glass bong. See? I'm sophisticated like a motherfucker! -
Review from Esa Y.
San Francisco, CA
3/24/2007
When my father was in graduate school to become a psychologist he skipped out on his last thesis to drive cross country to California to become a Zen Buddhist Priest. In the process he met and married my mother and they had me. I virtually spent the first year of my life in Tassahara, a Zen Buddhist Monastery, in the mountains above Carmel.
Long story, short, I have spent my whole life being exposed to quality Japanese incense. When I hit high school and everyone liked to burn the cheap crap that was scented like strawberry fields and nam champa I couldn't stand it! Not only did it not smell very good, but it gave me the worst head aches.
My dad always came here to get his incense even when I was a kid. When I was about eighteen he gave me a hand thrown incense bowl with a variety of reasonably priced incense. I have been going here ever since.
The man that works there is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful in assisting you in finding the right scent for your home for the prices you are willing to spend. Not only do they have a wide variety of different incense but they also have holders, bowls, and incense powdered perfumes and wooden holders. This may be a store the size of a walk-in closet but it is packet to the gills with quality items. Overall a classy and elegant joint. -
Review from Eugenia C.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2006
This is the place to buy Japanese incense from someone who not only knows everything about incense but also loves to introduce people to new things! The proprietor of the shop is so friendly and actually remembers what I bought last time ("I remember you...something sweet smelling you bought last time...sandalwood?"). How could you not be charmed? Whenever I have a stressful day, I like coming in here and browsing a little. The first time I stepped into the store, the guy behind the counter did a sort of "tasting" of incense for me. He burned a few different types of incense for me to sample, and showed me how to combine two different scents to create something unique. I never feel pushed to buy something out of my small budget either.
My favorites from the shop are The NP Pure brand Yuzu and Green tea scents. They are natural (none of that Berkeley Telegraph asinine incense funk) and very soothing.
Give this store a try! -
Review from D B.
Tempe, AZ
6/9/2006
Need Japanese incense?
Especially from someone who is actually Japanese?
Then come here.
Big selection, knowledgable guy behind the counter. I love small shops like this! -
Review from Patrick P.
New York, NY
1/19/2009
My go-to spot for incense. They have everything ranging from cheapo to uber expensive. If you know what you want, they'll grab it for you and that's it, and if you have questions or curiousity, they'll help you with that as well.
Incense paradise. -
Review from Tony L.
San Mateo, CA
12/29/2009
I was very excited to experience the world of incense and found this place via yelp. This place tempted me with its 5 star reviews, however, it failed to live up to the hype.
At first, I thought Kohshi was Asakichi, but I learned that it was not after crossing the bridge. My gf and I walked back over the bridge and went into the small room on the bridge. We were very excited to learn about incense and diff smells. Once we came in, btw...we were not greeted even though we were the only customers in there...., we looked around for a new scent that Nippon Kodo came out with; Gardenia. The person working there said that there aren't any and said that there were oils in Gardenia and said it was on the wall behind us. He did not bother to help us look through the 30+ bottles of scents.
Honestly, I thought the customer service was horrible. He did not offer to recommend anything else or ask us if we had any questions. You could hear a pin drop when we were looking around in the small closet of a store.
We immediately went back to Kohshi, where were were greeted with a smile and had a wonderful experience. Kohshi even had the gardenia scent we wanted, but we ended up with something else they recommended.
After reading all the other yelp reviews of this place, I am rather disappointed that I did not share the same experiences. However, even after going to Asakichi first and giving them a shot to pop my incense cherry, Kohshi ended up taking my incense virginity. -
Review from Molly c.
9/14/2010
my heaven is a 10x10 square store in a wee mall in japantown with a sliding glass front door.
it's filled to the brim with incense cones, sticks and coils of varying enchanting aromas, quality and quantity.
one barely has to move but for turning in place to continue feasting your eyes and delighting your olfactory senses on all this wee gem has to offer.
this is a must-go ever time i visit the bay area. -
Review from kate w.
5/12/2011
this place has a lot of lovely incense, the employee is very helpful, and they will let you sample it too, by lighting some and wafting it under your nose. it's a bit cramped, and i went during the cherry blossom festival, so it was insanely crowded and hot. it's probably better on non-festival days. i ended up getting a couple things, and one was an osmanthus incense that is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
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Review from Jackson Q.
San Francisco, CA
7/25/2010
So I'm a Morning Star addict, and this place is an official retailer of Morning Star Incense (don't believe me? Consult their own website, that's what prompted me to go here). It's in the Japan Town mall so it's likely you might be inspired to pick up a few other goodies from Nippon along your way. Great selection of Morning Star and a ton of other brands, and I also picked up an adorable little holder for only $10. I spend about $25 and the guy threw in so much shit, free incense samples, matches, and even gave me a selection of bags to walk out with. Great service, great selection, great location. A+ and I'll DEFINITELY be coming back.
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Review from Paul A.
Oakland, CA
1/21/2008
I love this store. It's very small, but you can't miss it - its the size of a walk-in closet with the sliding glass door entrance at the end of the bridge near Kinokuniya. I'm very new to this whole incense thing though, but the person who helped me out was very knowledgeable and was willing to light samples. I stopped by to pick up a pack of sakura (cherry blossom) and a basic pack of Lisn brand incense as gifts. He even gift wrapped the stuff i bought at no extra charge - the recipient said it looked too cute and that she's afraid of ruining it by unwrapping. The products and service are definitely on point at this spot. they close at 6. I'll be coming back.
Listed in: ESS EFF
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Review from bad b.
San Francisco, CA
8/13/2007
Great selection; helpful staff; tiny location.
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Review from Jim C.
Charleston, SC
4/27/2008
The scent of freshly lit incense makes you stop in this little store. The owner was very, very nice and he gave us some samples to try. New to incense, he was very patient and explained the different types. We ended up purchasing different scents and brands. My favs so far are the cherry blossoms and sandalwood.
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Review from Nicolas H.
Chicago, IL
12/15/2007
Smallest incense store I've ever been in, but i guess they don't need much real estate for small scented sticks. Prices are reasonable and the selection is obviously of the asian variety with some traditional oils and cones thrown into the mix...
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Review from kristen m.
Oakland, CA
3/26/2007
this is one of my all time favorite shops, even though it makes me feel a bit a.d.d. i can't help it, there's so much quality japanese incense (and accessories) packed into this tiny space that i'm bound to get distracted. but with the heavenly smells surrounding me, it never becomes a stressed out decision making session. the two guys that work here are great & will burn samples if you can't decide. usually they give you a nice box of matches to go with your purchase, but maybe they were out today because i was offered a lighter instead (which is just as welcomed).
i always leave here with a content & somewhat giddy smile on my face. -
Review from kat a.
Fremont, CA
8/4/2008
this place gives me nosegasms.
and sometimes, when it's really good, i even have multiple ones.
depending on the length of the stick, it'll last ya 3-5 minutes... but, its still worth it -
Review from Darcy V.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2009
I love going in here. When times are tough but I want a little treat, I can go here and get my fix for beautifully packaged goodies that smell amazing. Everything is very high quality. My favorites are sandalwood and aloeswood. The guy behind the counter is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, possibly even passionate, about incense and he gives samples and burns samples. And the matches here are the best matches ever. There is a certain satisfaction in barely scratching the match against the sand and having it burst into a large flame. They also have beautiful papers for wrapping little gifts of incense.
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Review from Derek D.
Stevensville, MD
7/14/2007
This is where I get my incense, this place does not mess around! They have pretty much anything you want if you happen to be particular and it's the good shit! The guy who runs the place is super nice and cool too.
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Review from greg y.
Riverside, CA
8/18/2010
I visited this tiny shop a few years ago during a week-long conference in sf. True connoisseurs of Japanese incense will be very disappointed as the higher-end selection of kyara is relegated to a small beaten up plastic bag behind the old man's counter which he tossed at me with one hand, an abominable gesture for a true Japanese proprietor! This could be forgiven if the owner/clerk would have exhibited at least a modicum of traditional Japanese graciousness - which he did not. The inventory of lower-end daily incense was pretty comprehensive though and if that is all you are interested in you might satisfy your incense-hunger there. Go to Kohsi if in the area or better yet, go green and purchase via the internet.
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Review from Rita D.
Roseville, CA
4/20/2009
This store is a treasure. If you have never experienced Japanese incense you are in for a treat. I wandered in here, to look around, thought hey what the heck, I like incense, I'll make a small purchase. I bought a Patoulli (hark to the good 'ol days) and a suggested Aloe wood. Then the faboulous proprieter threw in a sample of Honey, which I would never have imagined. He was SO nice and wonderful, I just felt like I got twice my money's worth in just the whole buying experience. So since then, I have discovered that this Japanese incesne is absolutly incredible. It is small, so you can burn a stick which lasts for 5min or so without totally overwhelming your environment, unlike old standard sticks which last 10-15 min and seem to be a rather big scent-commitment. And then, the fragrance is just really subtle and intoxicating - - far different than what I was used to. I'm telling you - this stuff is faboulous, this store is a rare find, and I can't wait to get back there to shop some more.
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Review from Ray C.
San Jose, CA
8/15/2009
Whenever I'm in the Japantown area, this place is definitely a stop for incense. Very knowledgable and a great variety of incense. Sandalwood is my personal favorite.
