The Story Behind JIKAN

時間 (Jikan) means "time" in Japanese.

This brand exists because I failed.

The Failure

Two years ago, I launched a tea perfume brand. I was excited, ambitious, and completely convinced it would work.

I over-invested. Over-produced. Chased trends instead of meaning. Built hype without substance.

It failed spectacularly.

I lost money. I lost confidence. I almost gave up on entrepreneurship entirely.

But in the wreckage, I learned something crucial:

People don't need more products. They need meaningful ones.

The Year of Research

Instead of rushing into another launch, I spent a year learning:

Researching 50+ Japanese artisan makers
Understanding centuries-old traditions (incense making, tea ceremony, traditional crafts)
Learning what "curation" really means (it's not just reselling—it's storytelling)
Visiting Japanese cultural sites, reading histories, connecting with heritage
Building something different this time

I discovered Awaji Island—Japan's incense capital for over 400 years. I learned about families who've been rolling incense sticks for generations, using the same natural ingredients, the same patient methods.

I researched Kyoto's tea masters who understand that ceremonial matcha isn't just a product—it's a practice, a ritual, a form of meditation.

I found traditional soap makers still using kakishibu (persimmon tannin) the way it's been used for over 1,000 years.

And I realized: These are the products worth sharing.

The Philosophy

JIKAN isn't about having 100 options.

It's about choosing 7 perfect ones.

Not fast. Not trendy. Just timeless.

Every product in our collection earned its place. I spent months testing, researching, understanding the heritage behind each one. Not everything made the cut—only what I'd genuinely use myself.

We believe in:

Quality over quantity
Heritage over hype
Ritual over routine
Patience over speed
Story over stuff

The Collection

From Awaji Island's 400-year-old incense makers to Kyoto's tea ceremony masters—each product is made by artisans who've dedicated their lives to their craft.

🔥 Scent Rituals

Three incense types from Awaji Island. Hand-rolled using natural ingredients. No synthetics, no shortcuts. Just centuries of knowledge in every stick.

🍵 Tea Rituals

Ceremonial matcha and roasted hojicha from Kyoto region tea masters. Stone-ground, organic, made for ritual—not just consumption.

🧖 Wellness Rituals

Traditional persimmon soap using kakishibu (persimmon tannin). Natural purification, the way it's been done in Japan for over 1,000 years.

🏺 Complete Your Space

Handcrafted ceramic incense holders. Minimalist, functional, beautiful. Made by Japanese ceramic artisans who understand that even simple objects deserve care.

Our Promise

Small batch quantities — We work with artisan makers, never mass production
Natural ingredients only — No synthetics, no harsh chemicals
Artisan-made in Japan — Every product sourced from traditional makers
Thoughtfully curated — Not everything makes the cut, only the best
Story-driven — You'll know who made what, where, and why

Who This Is For

JIKAN is for people who:

Value quality over quantity
Practice slow living
Appreciate Japanese aesthetics and philosophy
Seek ritual over routine
Care about where things come from
Believe that how you spend your time matters

If you're here, you're probably someone who doesn't need more things—you need the right things.

Things that serve your slowest, most intentional life.

That's what we're building.

Why "JIKAN"?

時間 (Jikan) means "time" in Japanese.

Because:

These products honor time—centuries of tradition, generations of knowledge
They create time—ritual moments in busy days
They require time—you can't rush good incense, proper tea ceremony, or meaningful practice
They transform time—5 minutes of intentional ritual changes your entire day

In a world obsessed with speed, we're building something slow.

Thank You

Thank you for being here. For valuing craft, heritage, and intention. For choosing quality over quantity. For believing that how we spend our time—and what we surround ourselves with—matters.

This brand exists because of you.

— Rui
Founder & Curator
JIKAN (時間)
Melbourne, Australia → Japan

Want to follow the journey?
Instagram: @jikan.au
Email: hello@jikan.au

Our Story