Hinoki: Japanese wood for the kitchen, bathroom and everyday life

Pale wood, a smooth finish and a gentle citrus scent. Hinoki is one of those materials that makes you stop and pick something up. It smells so fabulous, its my favourite set of items to pick in the warehouse as that cornor always smells fresh - like being in a forest. 

This Japanese cypress has long been used in temples, homes and traditional baths. In our collection, you’ll find it in chopping boards, bathware and small wooden toys different uses for a material with plenty of character.

Here’s what makes hinoki special, how to choose a piece for your home and how to look after it.

What is hinoki?

Hinoki is a type of Japanese cypress, recognised for its fine grain, light colour and distinctive fragrance.

We’re drawn to the way it feels as much as how it looks. There’s warmth to the wood, and enough variation in the grain to give each piece its own appearance. A simple board or bath stool lets the material speak for itself. Its hard to describe just how soft and comforting the wood feels. 

Like all natural wood, hinoki needs some care. Its use in Japanese bathrooms doesn’t mean it should stay wet: allowing it to dry properly is an important part of keeping it in good condition.

Hinoki in the bathroom

Wood brings a different feel to a bathroom, especially alongside tiles and stone.

A hinoki bath mat offers a wooden surface to step onto after bathing. Before choosing one, measure the space where it will sit and consider where you’ll put it to dry between uses. I use this when getting out of the bath and its a lovely soft ending to my nightly soak. 

The MIYABI bath chair takes its cue from Japanese bathing, where a low stool is used while washing before entering the bath.

These are practical pieces, but they need airflow. After use, rinse away soap residue where appropriate and leave the wood somewhere ventilated to dry, following the care instructions supplied with your item.

Hinoki in the kitchen

A chopping board is a useful place to start if you’re new to hinoki. Its relatively soft surface is gentle on knife edges, while its light weight makes it easy to move between the worktop and sink.

When choosing a board, think about how you cook and where you’ll store it. You need enough room for your usual preparation, but also space to wash it and stand it up to dry.

Our has a removable tray beneath the board. Sweep peelings into it as you prepare vegetables, or use it to collect chopped ingredients before adding them to the pan. It’s a thoughtful detail if you like to keep your worktop organised.

For knife storage, the Hinoki Knife Block Stripe Type brings the same pale wood into another part of the kitchen. Check its dimensions and suitability for your knives before choosing.

• 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.

Small wooden toys

Hinoki also appears in our Cocomo Animal & Car toys: simple wheeled animals made in Japan from unpainted wood.

The Cocomo wooden dog is a lovely example. Its shape, moving wheels and visible grain give children plenty to explore without batteries or flashing lights.

Choose according to the age guidance on each product page.

How to care for hinoki

A little regular attention will help keep your wooden pieces in good condition. Always follow the instructions for your particular product, as kitchenware, bathware and toys have different uses.

For our hinoki chopping boards:

• Lightly dampen the cutting surface before preparing food to help reduce staining.

• Hand-wash with mild detergent and lukewarm water.

• Avoid soaking or putting the board in a dishwasher.

• Allow it to dry thoroughly before storing, with air able to circulate around it.

For bathware, give the wood time to dry between uses rather than leaving it sitting in water or against a damp surface.

Natural differences in colour and grain are part of the material. With use, its appearance may change too.

The wood behind the pieces

Alongside hinoki, our Japanese wooden homeware includes pieces made from sawara cypress and sugi, or Japanese cedar. These are different woods, so check the material listed on each product page.

The timber used in this range is FSC® certified, supporting responsible forest management.

Choosing your first piece

Start with something you’ll use often. A chopping board if you enjoy cooking, bathware if you have a suitable place for it to dry, or a small wooden toy chosen for a child’s age and interests.

That’s what appeals to us about hinoki: you can appreciate the grain, the scent and the finish while getting on with everyday life.

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