As the theme "SUMMER GARDEN" suggests, Diptyque's outdoor fragrance instantly evokes the feeling of summer. When you light the spiral incense, a design familiar to Japanese people, a refreshing scent that repels insects is released. Aya Aso, a talented editor and essayist, introduces this unique fragrance, both in appearance and ingredients, along with its spirit.
Text by Aya Aso
Photo by Senta Murayama
Photograph by Senta Murayama
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
Swirling summer spirit
(From left to right) A beautiful, deep green ceramic that you'll never tire of. Summer Spiral Incense Holder, ¥23,760 (tax included). The Maison's first incense. A fresh scent of high-quality lemongrass. Spiral Incense, ¥7920 (tax included). You might as well choose your matches too. Matchbox Pinede, ¥3300 (tax included). (Top right) A Diptyque staple for this season. A fresh, green scent of flowers and plants that makes you feel the summer. Available in a limited-edition graphic for this summer. Summer Body Spray Citronella & Geranium 100ml, ¥9460 (available for a limited time along with the Spiral Incense).
Many of you may have thought, "What is this?" when you saw this photo. My first impression was, "They have mosquito coils in France too!"
If we were to give it a name, it would be "Outdoor Fragrance." In addition to this spiral-shaped incense, there are also refreshing body sprays and body washes available. These unique scents combine the refreshing quality perfect for summer outdoor events with the property of repelling insects. In this issue, we've deliberately set aside the "guide" format and would like to introduce the playful spirit of this product itself.
Aromas that repel insects, such as lemongrass, have long been known. For example, that unique, pleasantly pungent, and incredibly calming scent that washes over you the moment you arrive at a resort hotel or destination spa in Thailand or Malaysia. Diptyque's limited-edition summer collection, themed "SUMMER GARDEN," takes this scent and elevates it to a modern level.
When we think of a summer garden, the first things that come to mind are the sparkling fountains that repeatedly gush and shatter, swimming pools, and the mirror-like surface of lakes reflecting the greenery. The scenery is bright, sparkling, and full of transparency, and endlessly peaceful. The limited-edition bottles and boxes beautifully capture the shimmering beauty of summer waterside scenes through the intricate mosaic artwork of this season's collaborator, artist Mathilde Jonquière.
Diptyque is a fragrance house that embodies the spirit of Paris, founded in 1961 in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France. Originally a niche house known only to a select few connoisseurs, its unique yet gentle and elegant fragrances resonate beautifully with Japanese sensibilities, and it has now become a major brand in Japan. In addition to its fragrances, it is also highly regarded for its design, symbolized by its distinctive graphics, and its narrative-driven approach, truly creating "fragrant" interiors. It continues to embody the so-called art de vivre (the art of living) with a free spirit that has remained unchanged since its founding.
This spiral incense and holder perfectly embodies Diptyque's unique personality. Humor, practicality, and a nostalgic feel. It's great for yourself, of course, but it's also recommended as a witty gift for someone who "has everything," like when you think it's mosquito coils but it turns out to be Diptyque incense. Be sure to pair it with the refreshing citronella and geranium body spray, which is also said to repel insects.
