Hinoki Bath Products: 12 Japanese Cypress Favorites

If there is one fragrance that makes me dream of Japanese onsen (hot spring baths) it is the woody scent of hinoki; otherwise known as Japanese cypress. There’s nothing more magic than soaking in an outdoor onsen surrounded by a forest of these beautiful trees. This collection of hinoki bath products aims to help create a similar experience at home.

What is hinoki?

Hinoki (Japanese cypress) grows all over Japan and is often used in the construction of sacred buildings such as shrines, temples and palaces. It has natural antibacterial qualities and is resistant to humidity; so it is often used in the construction of onsen buildings, baths, bathing stools, buckets and other accessories.

What does hinoki smell like?

The incredible earthy aroma of hinoki is revered for its calming properties, which makes it very relaxing. Thanks to this, hinoki oils and extracts are commonly found in many Japanese bath and beauty products.

While hinoki products are widespread in Japan, they can sometimes be more difficult to find outside of the country. This guide includes some of the most popular hinoki bath products hailing from both inside and outside of Japan, along with links to make them yours.

Hinoki Bath Products

1. Hinoki Facial Cleanser
Hinoki Deitanseki Facial Cleansing Foam

Made by Shizuoka-based Hinoki Deitanseki, this facial cleansing foam removes dirt and makeup. It contains charcoal to cleanse and hinoki oil for a relaxing effect. Leaves skin feeling smooth and is easy to pack when traveling.
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2. Hinoki Facial Soap
Pelican Hinoki Kurocha Soap

There are a serious lack of reviews for this soap, which is much loved in Japan. It contains matcha (green tea), charcoal, mineral mud and hot spring water. It creates a rich foam and is both super moisturizing and highly absorbent (for withdrawing impurities).
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3. Hinoki Charcoal Soap
Pelican Soap Deitanseki (Peat Stone) Soap

Japanese charcoal (also known at binchotan) is revered as an ingredient in Japanese beauty products, and something we’ve written about before. This soap combines charcoal (to absorb sebum), clay extracts (to moisturize) and hinoki oil (to soothe). Produced by Pelican in Saitama.
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4. Hinoki Hand Soap
Taiyo Yushi Pax Naturon Hand Soap

Don’t be fooled by the lack of reviews! This is one of the top hinoki bath products on Cosme (the holy grail of beauty websites in Japan). Just one pump, and you get a dense foam that feels like whipped cream and has the refreshing fragrance of cypress.
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5. Hinoki Liquid Soap
Apotheke Hinoki Lavender Liquid Soap

This body wash has rich and smoky notes of hinoki, blended with lavender and sandalwood. Apotheke hails from Brooklyn, New York and has a philosophy of products made only steps from home, by real people.
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6. Hinoki Shower Gel
Le Labo Hinoki Shower Gel

Inspired by the Buddhist temples of Japan’s Mount Koya (one of my most beloved places on the planet), this hinoki shower gel is made by Le Labo. The cult brand hailing from New York have recently released a new range of hinoki fragranced products, including this shower gel which also includes sesame oil, rosemary leaf and sunflower oil.
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7. Hinoki Shampoo
Hayashi Hinoki Shampoo

Hinoki has traditionally been used to treat many skin ailments, and this shampoo was developed to target scalp problems and thinning hair. It adds volume, body and shine, washing away oil and dandruff. Hayashi was founded in California and is now based in Colorado.
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8. Hinoki Bath Salts
Bath Roman Hinoki Bath Salts

These hinoki bath salts are made by Bath Roman, one of the most popular brands of bath products in Japan. Once added to a tub, these release the soothing fragrance of cypress throughout the bathroom; making it almost like the real thing.
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9. Hinoki Hand Lotion
Le Labo Hinoki Hand Lotion

Another product from cult brand Le Labo, this hand lotion is part of their hinoki range. A plant-based formula, it contains sweet almond (to moisturize), safflower oil (to smooth) and goldenrod (to protect). It is non greasy and has a warm hinoki fragrance.
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10. Hinoki Moisturizer
Te+Te Hinoki Moisturizer

Te+Te is a store founded by Eiko Miyazaki, which includes a collection of Hinoki focused products. This plant-based moisturizer is one of their most popular, and emits a light woody fragrance with a hint of citrus. Te+Te is based in Pleasantville, New York.
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11. Hinoki Essential Oil
Chidoriya Hinoki Aroma Oil

Chidoriya was founded in Kyoto and develops products using traditional ingredients, inspired by geisha and maiko’s skin care rituals. This hinoki essential oil can be used in many ways; added to a diffuser, used in massage, added to bathwater and so on. It has a relaxation and decongestant effect, perfect for the relief of stress.
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12. Hinoki Incense
Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Japanese Cypress Incense Sticks

And last on this list is this hinoki incense, produced by Nippon Kodo, the largest incense manufacturer in Japan. This hinoki incense is from their Kayuragi range. While these small sticks may be delicate, they release a beautiful and relaxing fragrance.
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More from our Japanese Bath Products series:

• Japanese Bath: How To Create An Onsen At Home
• Japanese Soap: 12 Best Bar Soaps
• Japanese Exfoliating Towels: For The Smoothest Skin
• Yuzu Bath Products: 12 Japanese Favorites
• Best Japanese Bath Salts: Top 5 Onsen Bath Salts