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Artisans in the Kishu region of Wakayama in Japan have been making Binchotan Charcoal for centuries. Made from carbonized Ubame oak, Binchotan is considered the finest, purest and most effective type of activated charcoal, renowned for its purifying and mineralizing properties. Although many other countries produce Binchotan, Kishu Binchotan is considered superior due to the combination of the quality of Ubame oak and the perfected techniques and processes of the craft that have been passed down through generations.

The ancient Japanese process is difficult and time-consuming. Craftsmen source the Ubame oak from the organic mountain forests in Japan, harvesting the branches sustainably, without harming the trees. The branches are then burned at extremely high temperatures over a period of weeks using a specialized hand-built clay kiln known as a Bincho kiln that restricts the flow of oxygen. This process, called nerashi, carbonizes the structure of the wood and leaves behind trillions of porous micro cavities that naturally bond to toxins, trapping chemicals and impurities from water, air and even skin, while releasing vital minerals absorbed by the living tree.

Binchotan has been used for centuries in Japan to purify drinking water, reduce humidity, and absorb impurities from the air. The same purifying properties that are still valued in Japan, are being reimagined for the modern day. With a reverence for its time-honored process and tradition, we’re sharing new and innovative expressions of Binchotan that can easily be integrated into your everyday routine.