Asayu Blog

Persimmon Soap Benefits: Japanese Kaki Soap for Natural Odor Control & Skin Care
Persimmon Soap Benefits: Japanese Kaki Soap for Natural Odor Control & Skin Care
Discover Japanese persimmon soap (kaki shibu soap) benefits for natural odor control and sensitive skin. Learn how this traditional antibacterial soap eliminates body odor naturally without harsh chemicals. Read more...
How to Make a Hojicha Latte (Hot and Iced)
How to make a hojicha latte at home, hot or iced, with hojicha powder, loose-leaf tea or tea bags. Amounts and water temperatures included. Read more...
How to Choose a Japanese Teapot (Kyusu)
Size, side handle, built-in filter, clay and glaze: what to look at when you choose a Japanese kyusu teapot, plus how to brew sencha in it and how to care for it. Read more...
What Is Matcha? Ceremonial Grade Matcha Explained
What Is Matcha? Ceremonial Grade Matcha Explained
What matcha is, how it is shaded, steamed and stone-ground in Japan, what ceremonial grade means and how to choose and store it. Read more...
How to Make Matcha: Traditional, Hot Latte and Iced
How to Make Matcha: Traditional, Hot Latte and Iced
How to make matcha with a bamboo whisk, plus hot and iced matcha lattes as we serve them at our Kyoto store. Ratios and temperatures included. Read more...
Does Matcha Have Caffeine? Matcha vs Coffee
Does Matcha Have Caffeine? Matcha vs Coffee
Yes, matcha has caffeine. How much is in a bowl or a latte, how it compares with coffee and green tea, and when to drink it. Read more...
Teach Your Room to Say Goodnight
Teach Your Room to Say Goodnight
There's a particular kind of tired that doesn't respond to lying down. You turn off the lights, but your mind is still holding the day open in a dozen tabs.... Read more...
Asayu Yuzu
Why Your Home Smells Wrong (And What Japanese Craft Can Teach You About It)
The hidden role of scent in interior design, and a Japanese philosophy that changes how you think about it Walk into a beautifully designed room. The lighting is perfect. The... Read more...
The Story Behind Asayu's New Home in Kyoto
The Story Behind Asayu's New Home in Kyoto
Some places seem destined to keep telling stories. Nestled in the heart of Kyoto, our new Asayu Shop & Cafe stands inside a century-old machiya, a traditional wooden townhouse that... Read more...
Yuzu By Asayu
The Yuzu Ritual: Why Japan's Most Beloved Citrus Belongs in Your Daily Life
  There is a scent that stops you mid-breath, bright, floral, and unmistakably Japanese. It is yuzu. For centuries, this small, knobbly citrus fruit has held a place of reverence... Read more...
Is Palo Santo Incense Safe for Cats and Dogs?
Is Palo Santo Incense Safe for Cats and Dogs?
Love palo santo incense but have cats or dogs at home? Good news — with a few simple habits, you can enjoy your incense ritual while keeping your pets comfortable... Read more...
Palo Santo Japanese Incense Sticks: Your New Wellness Ritual
Palo Santo Japanese Incense Sticks: Your New Wellness Ritual
Explore how Palo Santo Japanese incense sticks, crafted with centuries-old Japanese techniques, can elevate your wellness routine with grounding fragrance, stress relief, and mindful ritual. Read more...