Hinoki: The Japanese Wood That Elevates Everyday Living

✨ The Beauty of Hinoki: Function, Simplicity, and Scent

At MIJ, we’re drawn to materials that feel as good as they look and Hinoki is one of the special ones. 

Traditionally used in Japanese temples, baths, and homes, Hinoki is a type of Japanese cypress prized for its light colour, natural antibacterial properties, and subtle citrus scent. It’s smooth to the touch, gently aromatic, and incredibly long-lasting.

From bath goods and kitchen tools to toys, Hinoki brings a quiet luxury to everyday rituals.

🛁 Hinoki in the Bathroom: Calm, Clean, and Made to Last

In Japan, Hinoki has long been part of bathing culture – it’s naturally water-resistant, dries quickly, and resists mould and mildew.

At MIJ, we offer a range of Hinoki items designed for the bathroom:

• • Hinoki Bath Mats – warm underfoot, quick-drying, and beautifully minimalist. An alternative to soggy fabric mats.

  • Hinoki Bath & Shower Stools – traditional Japanese design, simple and strong, with natural resistance to moisture and bacteria.

These pieces turn even the most functional parts of your home into something calming, considered, and built to last.

🔪 In the Kitchen: Chopping Boards and Knife Storage

Hinoki isn’t just for the bathroom, it’s also ideal for the kitchen, especially when it comes to tools that need to stay clean, dry and sharp.

• Hinoki Chopping Boards naturally antibacterial and incredibly gentle on blades. Lightweight yet strong, they’re a favourite among chefs and home cooks.

• Hinoki Magnetic Knife Block, clean-lined, easy to use, and safe for blades. They’re beautiful on the wall and practical to use daily.

These pieces bring a warm, minimal look to the kitchen and offer a quiet upgrade to your cooking routine.

🧒 For Little Hands: Hinoki Toys to Be Held, Rolled and Loved

We also love Hinoki for toys, not just because it’s beautiful, but because it’s safe, tactile and comforting to hold.

These playful wooden dogs, cars, elephants, horses, sheep and turtles are part of the Cocomo Animal & Car series – wheeled toys handcrafted in Japan from smooth, unpainted Hinoki.

Designed for pushing, pulling, or simply holding, they’re perfect for little hands and growing imaginations. No batteries. No noise. Just lovely, sensory toys that encourage free play and natural creativity.

🌲 The Woods We Choose — And Why They Matter

At MIJ, we work with partners in Japan who use materials with care, purpose, and deep respect for tradition. Many of our Hinoki products are also made using Sawara cypress and Sugi (Japanese cedar) — each selected for its specific strengths.

• Hinoki (Japanese cypress) – prized for its soft citrus scent, antibacterial properties, and ability to resist mould. Traditionally used in temples and bathhouses.

• Sawara (Sawara cypress) – slightly softer and highly water-resistant, with a gentle appearance and no strong aroma — ideal for bathware and kitchen tools.

• Sugi (Japanese cedar) – light, absorbent, and easy to work with. It has been used in Japanese construction and woodworking for centuries.

All of these woods are FSC® certified, supporting sustainable forest management in Japan. Our makers trace the journey of the timber from source to finished piece protecting forests while preserving traditional craftsmanship.

When you buy something made from these materials, you're not just choosing beautiful design you're supporting long-term sustainability, heritage, and progress.

💭 Why We Love Hinoki (and Think You Will Too)

Hinoki is more than just a beautiful material – it’s a practical, everyday luxury.
It wears in, not out. It’s antibacterial by nature, not chemical treatment. And it turns daily tasks – from bathing to chopping to tidying – into something calming and intentional.

Everything we stock is made in Japan, often by small, family-run workshops. These are pieces made to last, made to matter, and made with care.

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