Looking for incense only at SLOWOOD? A comprehensive guide to incense spots in Hong Kong
Many tourists who visit Hong Kong head to SLOWOOD in Central Market to buy incense, but there are also several lesser-known local spots that I, a Hong Kong expat of 6 years, would recommend. These are imprinted in my mind as a map!
1⃣️ Causeway Bay Matsumoto Kiyoshi
A famous Japanese drugstore with many branches in Hong Kong, but the Causeway Bay store is special because right at the entrance, there is a space dedicated to Kyoto's Kungyokudo incense sticks, which are shipped directly from Japan. They have a wide variety, including the famous Happy Fragrance, which contains scents like perfume lemon, lavender, jasmine, nanmu, lotus, bamboo, and more. They also have the small Hanga incense sticks, with designs like goldfish, pine, and cherry blossoms. Plus, there are aromatic mint lip balms with flavors like yuzu, rose, and honey.
📍 Address: Shop G-3, Hang Lung Centre, 2-20 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, right next to H&M
2⃣️ SL...OWOOD
The well-known SL...OWOOD has one store each in Central and Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island. Although Sai Ying Pun is the original store, the Central shop is closer to attractions like Tai Kwun and offers a wider selection of incense. You can also buy individual sticks and choose from various incense holders, which is great for those who have trouble making decisions.
📍 Address: Shops 231-233, Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong
3⃣️ Central DONKI
Located just across the street from SLOWOOD in Central Market, at the starting point of the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator. The fragrance area on the ground floor sells basic Japanese incense sticks, which are usually only noticed by residents who frequent DONKI in Mid-Levels Central! Even if it's just 'supermarket goods,' there are different scents like plum, green tea, pomegranate, and rose, surely one will resonate with your daily home life. In fact, DONKI is a great place to shop, not just for incense but also for various Japanese snacks.
📍 Address: 100 Queen's Road Central
4⃣️ Kapok
Kapok is a well-known select shop from France, gathering many European fragrance brands and niche independent scents, as well as trendy clothing. Their most famous location is the Green Room in K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui, where the unforgettable French handmade home decor brand Astier de Villatte stands out. Each unique white porcelain ceramic piece combined with different scented incense sticks offers a sensory experience that is a unique choice for those with distinctive taste.
📍 Address: Shop 102, K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui
5⃣️ dESK stationery and more
Last but not least, the heavy-hitter recommendation is dESK! Those in the know are definitely local citywalk experts! This Japanese stationery and miscellaneous goods store is located in the same building as the Hong Kong Italian Hotel residential complex in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. dESK offers a variety of Japanese stationery brands, and incense is one of them. In addition to Kungyokudo, you can also find the popular Hibi portable incense, Incense Kitchen's Uji matcha incense, and Yamadamatsu's incense series, among other unique brands.
📍 Address: 2nd Floor, 10-12 Chatham Court, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
🕙 Business Hours: Monday to Friday 12-16, Saturdays irregular special opening hours: 13:00-18:30