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Yakisugi is a product, not a burning process. The term refers to a specific type of charred wood exterior siding that has been used as a vernacular building material in Western Japan for hundreds of years. In other parts of the world, yakisugi is sometimes called “shou sugi ban” siding.

Traditional yakisugi siding starts with logs of Japanese cedar (known as “sugi” in Japan) that are holistically milled into thin planks. The wood then receives intensive flame-treatment to improve resistance to rot, UV, moisture, fire, insects, and dimensional movement versus untreated wood siding. Yakisugi’s maintenance-optional durability provides exceptional long-term cost performance over its extended natural life cycle. 

Yakisugi also offers a timeless beauty that is readily adaptable to projects. It has a quintessential wabi-sabi design aesthetic that can be finished in different ways to achieve a broad range of appearances. Learn more about authentic yakisugi.

The short answer is that there is no difference—they refer to the exact same product. But here’s how we got two competing terms for the same kind of charred Japanese cedar siding. In Japan, the term yakisugi is used exclusively to describe this material, though it is sometimes written as yakisugi-ita. 

The alternate name shou sugi ban originates from a Westerner’s misreading of yakisugi-ita, where they apparently mixed Japanese and Chinese pronunciations of the ideograms. The word “yaki” in Japanese (meaning burnt or charred) is pronounced “shou” in Chinese. “Sugi” refers to the conifer Cryptomeria japonica—a type of cedar that’s indigenous to Japan. “Ban” is the Chinese reading of the ideogram for board or plank, pronounced “ita” in Japanese. 

While the term shou sugi ban caught on in the West when the material was introduced in the 1990s, the online keyword yakisugi is appearing more frequently in searches, databases, and media. Read more about yakisugi vs shou sugi ban.

Without oil finishes, only our Suyaki products are black. Gendai and Pika-Pika products are brown until a black oil stain has been applied. But many options are not black, and all will change color over time.

With yakisugi, it is important to differentiate between durability and color longevity. People often misinterpret color changes as a sign of poor durability. High-grade wood products are typically coated with oil finishes instead of paints to showcase the natural beauty of grain and texture. Oil finishes slow down the weathering process, but the wood will still change color as it ages. However, this does not impact durability. 

In the siding industry, durability is defined by resistance to rot and longevity. Rot-resistance is more about the wood species and the quality of installation than it is about the stain or paint. To the best of our knowledge, yakisugi is the most weather-resistant stain-grade softwood siding available today. Exterior softwood will also last longer if it is lightweight and porous. As such, any softwood siding that is designed to last a long time will develop a wear patina over time. 

Yakisugi siding’s benefit of zero or optional maintenance should come with the understanding that its color will evolve over an extended lifespan. That’s the nature of these products and part of their aesthetic beauty. Painted siding can last longer because paints are total UV inhibitors that protect wood better than oils. However, paint must be maintained and reapplied regularly for optimal appearance and performance. 

Read more about wood longevity vs color longevity.

While yakisugi is charred on the outside, field cuts will expose unburned wood with reddish to blonde color. We recommend painting field cuts with touchup oil. Attempting to burn or char field cuts to match is not recommended. Request a copy of our Installation Guide for more details.

We work under a 100-year longevity expectation, with optional maintenance.  However, it is important that customers understand that forgoing maintenance (specifically, the reapplication of an oil finish) may accelerate changes in color as the siding weathers. Regular recoating can slow down color changes and enhance the siding’s lifespan. 

Yakisugi’s Japanese wabi-sabi patina is esteemed for its beauty. Our traditional manufacturing process is designed to create something that will look beautiful as it ages, rather than eliminating the need for repainting or other maintenance. Read more about the lifespan of yakisugi siding.

The siding can be washed regularly, touched up, or recoated with oil for a freshened appearance. But all of our yakisugi products are designed to outlast the owner, even without oil finish recoating maintenance. They offer superior durability in exterior applications in comparison to materials such as random resaw pattern siding, more affordable wood species, tongue-and-groove profiles, kiln dried alternatives, or those made from engineered materials. 

Maintaining the factory color on our Gendai and Pika-Pika products will require periodic re-oiling. Our Suyaki products offer exceptional wood and color longevity as well as incredible fire resistance due to its thick, hydrophobic, UV-inhibiting soot layer. Visit our maintenance section for additional guidance.

Our range of patina products will weather and change over time with a nuanced aesthetic that’s referred to as wabi-sabi in Japan. This philosophy is an important basis of design for yakisugi (“shou sugi ban”) siding. 

“Wabi” means that yakisugi is a “form-follows-function” material. “Sabi” suggests that it should be enjoyed through each phase of the aging process. For projects prioritizing color longevity and consistency, we also provide options that maintain the factory color for an extended period. Learn more about the meaning of wabi-sabi.

The Japanese surface charring does not significantly affect the structural properties of the wood, beyond making it more dimensionally stable. The wood maintains a balance of rigidity and suppleness, with minimal effects on deflection rate, breakage strength, and checking.

Exterior siding must be tough enough to withstand anything nature can deliver—extreme temperatures, UV exposure, humidity, seasonal storms, and more. The first consideration for wood siding is that it’s made from a species suitable for any of these exposures. It must be precisely milled and then dried to maximize longevity and appearance as it weathers. Nakamoto Forestry’s authentic yakisugi wood cladding is appropriate for all regional climates in North and South America. With hundreds of orders shipped to every North American region south of the Arctic Circle, we proudly maintain a track record free from any wood performance claims.  

Another key factor is installation. For premium wood siding to be suitable for all climates, it must be properly installed. Our installation parameters align with modern best practices and codes. This includes installing the siding on a screen wall assembly, which allows the wood to breathe and dry out quickly. We also specify face fasteners, which hold the wood flat to the wall plane and which can also be tightened if the wood moves due to fluctuations in moisture and/or temperature. 

Historically, yakisugi siding has been used throughout Japan’s geographically broad range of climate zones and extreme maritime exposures. This includes southern Japan’s humid subtropical conditions, as well as northern Japan’s Siberian subarctic temperatures. Our products perform well across these dramatic weather zones. Nakamoto Zourin is the largest siding mill in Japan—delivering hundreds of thousands of lumber packages for diverse climates around the world.

Arid climates can cause wood siding to dry out, cup, and peel off walls. To keep the siding flat, it is essential to incorporate rigid furring in a screen wall and employ headed fasteners during installation. It is important to note that trim-head, casing nails, and blind nails are not effective in keeping the siding flat over time.

Humid subtropical climates can pose significant challenges for wood siding, due to the threats of rot and insect damage. Yakisugi was originally developed along the southern coast of Japan to specifically withstand these exact conditions. Heat treatment burns off hemi-cellulose in the wood, which effectively mitigates the growth of rot-causing mold. Hemi-cellulose is also what termites or other insects eat—making  yakisugi much less attractive to insects that metabolize wood.

However, the most important factor in rot and bug prevention is correct installation. Siding that remains consistently wet not only will develop white mold (which causes rot), it also attracts wood-destroying pests. A screen wall assembly allows the wood siding to breathe and dry out quickly. Dry time is directly proportional to siding longevity, especially in a humid subtropical climate. Yakisugi should also be handled the same as any other wood siding in terms of local hurricane codes.

In general, cold climates are much easier on wood siding than hot climates when it comes to issues like rot and insect damage. Even so, effective moisture and water management, along with a screen wall assembly, are critical to proper yakisugi installation in northern climates.

In regions with strong winds, torrential rains, and ice storms, exterior wood siding commonly experiences accelerated weathering. The sun’s UV radiation gradually breaks down wood surface fibers over time. Cycles of wind and moisture will then wear away loosened fibers, exposing fresh wood underneath. This natural erosion organically changes the color of yakisugi siding, and the aesthetic effects will be unique to each site location. To maintain color consistency and enhance durability in harsh climates, yakisugi can also be finished with various coating options. This helps preserve its appearance and resilience in harsh climates.

Authentic yakisugi “shou sugi ban” will perform well in any climate—but it was historically developed in a coastal marine environment. The use of yakisugi  is most common in coastal areas along the Seto Inland Sea in Western Japan, a region exposed to demanding marine conditions. This includes seasonal typhoons, high heat and humidity from the Pacific, as well as abrasive salty air. 

Yakisugi’s hydrophobic soot layer repels moisture. The heat treatment process also case-hardens the wood, making it more abrasion-resistant in high winds. True yakisugi is also made from a specific cultivar of Japanese cedar (sugi) that is porous and quick to dry. This naturally makes sugi an ideal cladding choice for wet climates.

Lumber is traditionally a local market—so why not use a North American wood like pine, fir, oak, or a domestic cedar, species for making yakisugi?  Why import wood from overseas?

Concerned about sustainability? Compare our certifications and environmental product declarations to other options under consideration. Despite common assumptions, wood sourced from other regions often has a lower overall carbon footprint compared to locally sourced lumber due to modern economies of scale and carbon-efficient logistics.

For our authentic yakisugi “shou sugi ban” product line, we exclusively use sugi (Cryptomeria japonica), which is sometimes called Japanese cedar. The yakisugi manufacturing process has been optimized for this species over centuries. 

Sugi has harder latewood than red, yellow and white cedars, making the soot layer more durable. Like other cedars, cypresses, and redwoods, its wood is porous which facilitates rapid drying and offers superior resistance to rot. This high porosity also makes our yakisugi siding thermally efficient—providing insulation to keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer.

Sugi is rigid and strong yet lightweight, ideal for construction applications. Sugi has a high mineral and low pitch content, which makes it an optimal choice for the traditional charring required to transform raw wood into yakisugi. While planks made from other species would move and check during the high-temperature flame treatment process, sugi remains dimensionally stable. Its rigidity, strength, and lightweight nature make it ideal for various construction applications. 

In terms of aesthetic appeal, sugi displays remarkable variation in its natural color and grain patterns, which enhances its value for cosmetic cladding applications. Even without regular maintenance, sugi stays beautiful as it weathers over time.

For projects with budget constraints that prevent the use of authentic yakisugi siding, we recommend using locally sourced cedar or cypress species stained black, or other wood species coated with a black acrylic as an alternative. Manufacturing high-quality yakisugi requires specific expertise, and we have yet to encounter industrial processes outside of Japan that consistently produce authentic and well-made yakisugi. Confident marketing and sales tactics do not necessarily guarantee quality or authenticity.

Yes, but with some key considerations. Our 30mm yakisugi “shou sugi ban” profiles are suitable for applications requiring thicker board stock. Additionally, our standard 9/16” thickness yakisugi siding can be edged and/or back-planed, then glued up as a facing. For specific dimensions and profiles, please refer to the individual product specification sheets. 

We also offer unburned sugi and hinoki lumber; these products are optimal for furniture applications. Feel free to reach out to our sales team for information on currently available options. Please note that we do not do custom millwork.

Yes, in some cases. It is essential to adhere to the specified distance guidelines from the fireplace insert or wood stove manufacturer, in addition to following all installation instructions provided. While most of our products are certified for ASTM E84 FS and SDI Classes A, B, and C, they are all combustible. Therefore, strict compliance with safety guidelines is essential.

No. Due to the high temperature heat treatment process, yakisugi “shou sugi ban” is a thin-plank lumber material used primarily for cosmetic cladding. Our standard charred wood thickness for siding is 9/16”, and our 18mm and 30mm profiles are not thick enough to be used as framing lumber (6/4 or more by code.) Yakisugi is also too soft to use as decking. For framing or decking lumber, it is advised to use a local wood option instead of yakisugi.

No. In Japan, the charring process is exclusively used for siding applications. We have no experience with charring large timber, such as posts or beams.

No. Yakisugi is a traditional product specifically optimized for exterior siding applications. Its lightweight composition and soft, sooty surface texture would be poorly suited to the wear-and-tear demands of flooring applications.

Yes. Our 18mm and 30mm yakisugi “shou sugi ban” profiles are suitable for applications requiring thicker board stock. Our standard 9/16” thickness yakisugi siding can be edged and/or back-planed, then glued up as the cabinet or door facing. For specific dimensions and profiles, please refer to the individual product specification sheets. 

We also offer unburned sugi and hinoki lumber; these products are optimal for furniture and cabinet applications.  Feel free to reach out to our sales team for information on currently available options. Please note that we do not do custom millwork.

We offer several videos on our Youtube channel which document some of the traditional steps used for making yakisugi “shou sugi ban” siding. Beyond these educational resources, we do not provide any additional guidance or detailed instructions for replicating the processes used for our products.

Please refer to the videos on our Youtube channel. Beyond these educational resources, we do not provide any additional guidance or detailed instructions for replicating the processes used for our products.

Yes, our 30mm yakisugi “shou sugi ban” profiles are suitable for garden bed applications. For specific dimensions and profiles, please refer to the individual product specification sheets.

We offer exterior products on a scale between an earned patina on one end and a warranted factory coating on the other. Below is the progression on this range. Note that this is a complete list, but that our product lines have different oil formulas customized to each: 

Unoiled: Untreated wood will begin to patina immediately, gradually weathering in its own unique and uneven pattern in response to the specific site conditions. 

Weathering stain: This product is designed to help wood siding weather into an even silver color—like the classic “Cape Cod gray” patina. 

Tung oil: Our tung oil is custom designed for our Suyaki products. Tung oil is the heaviest and longest-lasting natural monomer oil. It transforms Suyaki’s soot layer from a delicate powdery texture into a substantial, leathery surface. However, due to the ephemeral nature of Suyaki, the tung-oiled siding will still blemish and weather as it ages. 

Linseed oil: Our linseed finishes are natural monomer oil coatings that are specifically blended to highlight the wood color and grain of our Gendai and Pika-Pika product lines. Linseed oils are semi-transparent, meaning they act as a lens to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. Due to its partially transparent coverage, UV rays from the sun will gradually cause the wood to fade or oxidize. 

Alkyd oil: Our alkyd oil base is made from vegetable oil that is chemically changed into an alkyd urethane polymer. These finishes are formulated for our Gendai and Pika-Pika product lines. Alkyd oils are semi-solid, which means they block most UV radiation. Because it has a high pigment content, the finish color will show more than the natural wood color. The more coats applied, the longer the color will last. The standard for our products is two coats of a waterborne alkyd oil finish; they can be recoated as needed in the future for maintenance.

Acrylic: Our acrylic options offer a multi-coat solid finish designed to provide the best durability and color longevity on our Gendai and Pika-Pika product lines. Since acrylics are solid finishes, they will completely hide the wood’s natural color (though the siding‘s texture will still be visible). Acrylic finishes are meant to be recoated every couple of decades on a schedule. They are not designed to patina over time.

All of our yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products undergo the same deep charring process. Gendai and Pika-Pika are burned and hardened just like Suyaki, then brushed afterwards to expose more of the natural wood. Since the soot layer provides protection, Suyaki offers better rot and fire resistance than our other products. 

While the degree of burning on wood can vary, terms like “lightly” and “deeply” charred generally misconstrue the nature of yakisugi.

While the degree of burning on yakisugi “shou sugi ban” can vary, a lighter finished appearance doesn’t necessarily reflect the depth of charring. Our Pika-Pika products are first burned deeply black, carbonizing both the earlywood and latewood growth rings. The soft earlywood soot layer is then brushed off—leaving behind hard latewood growth rings which appear black.

Feel free to contact us for completed product installations in your area, though we may not be able to confirm the public visibility of a referenced project. If you decide to visit a referred project, kindly refrain from trespassing beyond a public street or sidewalk. Please be conscientious and respect the privacy of the occupants.

S3S stands for surfaced three sides; in the case of our products, it specifically means “burned on three sides”. Our S3S products are suitable for standard siding or paneling applications.

Similarly, S4S means surfaced four sides—indicating that our S4S products are burned on all sides, including both finished faces. Our S4S products are typically used for fencing or louver applications. 

Both our S3S and S4S products maintain the same square edge profile, typically in nominal 1×6 and 1×8 dimensions in North America as well as some 5/4 dimension options.

A square edge profile is fine for most wall assemblies and layouts. It can be installed vertically or horizontally. It can be overlapped in a closed screen or with shadow gaps between boards in an open screen configuration. 

Traditionally, square edge profile siding has been applied in board and batten and clapboard layouts, but today it is also commonly used for open screen and shadow gap designs. However, we do not recommend installing square edge profiles directly edge-to-edge without battens. As boards will shrink over time, this approach can result in inconsistent gaps that would then require manual straightening.

Overlapped layouts offer better protection against UV, weather, and fire compared to open screens—but they also carry higher material costs. In addition, these layouts need ample air flow in the rain screen to facilitate quick drying of the siding. Even with shadow gaps between boards, open screen layouts typically dry out rapidly, reducing the likelihood of attracting insects.

Siding is designed to shed water—not provide waterproofing. The Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB), flashing, and other elements of water management are responsible for waterproofing. Siding serves as a cosmetic façade that protects the WRB from UV degradation. It is critical that the siding is installed to facilitate rapid drying.

In Japan, yakisugi is rarely burned on both the front and back when used as siding. Rot prevention on the back of the siding relies on having sufficient air flow in a screen wall assembly. When both sides are exposed, such as in a fence or a louver assembly, either a Gendai or Pika-Pika S4S or any other Nakamoto Forestry yakisugi S3S product can be utilized.

When traditional S3S yakisugi is used in a double-faced design (e.g., for an exterior privacy wall), the unburned back side typically will be painted red or black. Another option that we recommend when using our S3S products in these instances is back-oiling the unburned surface. All products featuring one of our custom exterior finishes are coated on both the front and back sides. This back-oiling also provides better dimensional stability when S3S products are used for siding. 

Our Gendai and Pika-Pika S4S products are modern innovations that were developed for double-faced installations. These products are charred on both front and back surfaces to ensure a consistent appearance, dimensional stability, and maximum weather protection.

In most cases, our two-coat factory prefinishes are applied to both the front and back faces—but not the edges. Because yakisugi edges are unbrushed and sooty, coatings will not easily adhere to them. As such, some soot residue, flaking, and lost adhesion (especially along board edges) should be expected.

It’s important to note that there will typically be some general soot residue on all yakisugi products due to the nature of the manufacturing process. Therefore, the final step of installation involves simply washing this residue off all exposed surfaces with water. Collection and control of soot dust on the jobsite is a normal consideration for any real yakisugi product, regardless of the manufacturer. This can be managed with the standard sawdust control practices used on most jobsites.

Coating wood on all four sides (both faces and both edges) or all six sides (including both board ends) is a modern practice in North America aimed at minimizing rot and wood movement. However, the best practice of installing siding over a screen wall assembly makes this specification redundant. In the Japanese market, coating the backsides and edges of boards with oil has never been a standard practice for yakisugi products.

Please see our product profile diagrams for available widths. Due to natural wood millwork parameters, the profiles we have available reflect a “form follows function” philosophy. 

Some narrow plank specifications can be met by ripping our six- or eight-inch boards down to specified square edge widths on the jobsite. Touch up oil can be used to paint the ripped edges to match the charred faces of the planks. However, we do not recommend rabbeting or molding yakisugi planks into narrow-width shiplap or tongue and groove due to associated millwork limitations. Customer project specifications must be adjusted to align with the nature of yakisugi products.

We do not offer custom millwork of yakisugi for two reasons. First, yakisugi is a “form-follows-function” building material; it can only be consistently manufactured within a very limited dimension range. Second, since yakisugi was historically developed as a vernacular building material that maximized cost performance, our products stay within standard dimensions to maintain an affordable price point.

Most custom millwork requests are for dimensions that are thicker, narrower, wider, or longer than our standards. Boards wider than 8 inches are also more prone to checking, shrinking, and cupping. Contractors typically require a minimum board length of 8 feet for exterior or panel applications. Boards longer than 12 feet are less likely to maintain straightness through yakisugi’s charring and quenching process. In wood construction, the longer a board is, the straighter it needs to be. 

While we frequently collaborate with designers and builders to adapt our products to their design parameters, achieving custom dimensions can sometimes be challenging. Consulting with our technical support specialists allows us to propose effective solutions within the capabilities of our authentic yakisugi products. For some design visions, it may be more practical to use locally sourced wood stained to match specifications. 

While there may be some purported yakisugi or “shou sugi ban” products from other companies that claim availability in alternate or custom specifications, caution is advised. These non-standard options may lack the proven reliability and performance associated with Nakamoto Forestry’s authentic yakisugi products.

Unfortunately, we do not offer custom-milled lengths to maintain product consistency and to keep pricing as competitive as possible. We cut our logs to 4 meters (13 feet) during the manufacturing process to achieve a standard board length of 12 feet. 

We sometimes have 6-foot and 10-foot lengths available from boards originally cut to 12 feet that have undergone defecting. For current availability of these alternate lengths, please consult with our sales team.

As part of our specialization in exterior applications, we do not provide any tongue and groove profile options. Tongue and groove profiles are intended for interior use; they are not suitable for most exterior applications. While it is sometimes installed outside in protected ceilings and floors (e.g., covered porches), tongue and groove should not be used for exterior siding because it tends to trap water.

Shiplap, however, facilitates immediate drainage and rapid drying. Our shiplap profile is specifically crafted for exterior siding and can be installed both horizontally and vertically.

The “tight knot” grade (which was originally developed for North American cedars) is challenging to achieve with many other wood species, including Japanese sugi used in authentic yakisugi production. In the context of Japanese sugi wood production, tight knots are caused by branches that were alive when the tree was harvested, while loose knots are from branches that died at some point during the tree’s life. We have a defined grading specification where knots are either left intact or removed and filled with a hot melt resin. Loose or partially rotted knots do not compromise the weather resistance of yakisugi and are permitted by our specification.

Our target moisture content is approximately 12%, but variations can occur based on the season and/or lot—ranging typically between 8-14%.

For a variety of reasons, we specify whether each of our products can be used indoors, outdoors, or both. The key distinction lies in whether the space will be exposed to direct weather conditions, regardless of whether it has conditioned air. Exterior-only products are not suitable for indoor use, and interior-only products are not suitable for outdoor use. 

For detailed information, please refer to the individual specification sheets for the Nakamoto Forestry products under consideration for your project.

The short answer is yes. Our Suyaki product is designed to offer the longest lifespan; unbrushed soot layer can remain intact for 30-50 years without any maintenance. 

Despite its resilience, Suyaki will inevitably develop blemishes through handling and exposure; this is a natural characteristic of this traditional material. Over the years, the soot layer may be scratched, abraded, and gradually eroded, revealing the brown wood beneath. It can be rejuvenated with touch-ups and recoating using black oil, maintaining the timeless wabi-sabi aesthetic. 

As the Suyaki soot layer weathers, the exposed wood beneath begins to resemble our single-brushed Gendai products. Over time, it will transition to look more like our twice-brushed Pika-Pika products.

The Suyaki surface is delicate and susceptible to damage during transport and installation. Although installation follows standard wood siding procedures, extra care should be taken when handling the boards to minimize potential damage. To address any blemishes, we recommend utilizing the black oil provided with each wood shipment for touch-ups.

Suyaki installation labor may increase by approximately 10% compared to our other wood products due to the need for careful handling.

For those with concerns about using Suyaki, we suggest opting for one of our brushed surface products (Gendai or Pika-Pika) or securing an installer experienced in working with Suyaki.

Suyaki with an exterior-grade tung oil finish is not suitable for indoor applications. For interior applications, Suyaki requires multiple heavy coats of polyurethane to stabilize the delicate soot surface. By their nature, most polyurethanes become glossier with thicker applications. Unfortunately, all of the matte-sheen polyurethanes we’ve tested have proven to be dull and uninteresting on our Suyaki product. 

If you desire interior paneling with a less glossy appearance, we recommend specifying Gendai or Pika-Pika with a black alkyd or acrylic coating.

In most cases, our interior and exterior coatings should not be used interchangeably. The heavy polyurethane coating applied to Suyaki for interior applications is specifically formulated for its intended environment; it is not suitable for exterior applications. When exposed to the typical UV and moisture of an exterior siding installation, a polyurethane coating will start to degrade. Even the most durable hard shell polyurethane coatings will eventually exhibit issues such as turning milky white, yellowing, cracking, and/or peeling.  

While options like marine-type varnishes offer some of the toughest exterior coatings available, these finishes are designed to be periodically scraped off and reapplied on a regular maintenance schedule. This simply could be done with yakisugi products due to the nature of the material. 

A heavy polyurethane coating lacks the elasticity needed to enhance the natural resilience of yakisugi against ever-changing exterior conditions. Even worse, it would significantly reduce the expected lifespan of a 100-year siding material—potentially limiting it to just five years. 

Please specify one of our products designed for exterior applications instead.

For the exterior scope of your project, we would recommend either unoiled Suyaki or Suyaki with a tung oil finish. For the interior portions, please separately specify Suyaki with a polyurethane coating. A clear distinction in specifications ensures that each product is optimized for its designated application in support of superior performance and customer satisfaction.

We carefully specify the suitability of our products for interiors, exteriors, or both. Exterior-only products are exclusively designed for outdoor use and should never be used indoors. Interior-only products are intended for indoor applications and should not be utilized outdoors.

We generally recommend installing Suyaki on permanent structures, due to its susceptibility to blemishes if a building is moved. For modular homes, the best practice would be to install Suyaki after the final placement at the project jobsite. 

For customers seeking yakisugi for trailers or tiny homes, we would recommend one of our brushed yakisugi products (Gendai or Pika-Pika), which offer enhanced durability. 

It is important to note that exterior siding installation requires a rigid furring of at least 3/8″ thickness in a screen wall assembly. Please allow for this in your wall design and platform footprint.

Protecting the delicate soot layer on our Suyaki products requires careful manufacturing and packing processes. This additional labor slightly raises the production costs for Suyaki versus our Gendai products.

While it’s essential to handle Suyaki carefully to minimize blemishes, it’s equally important to recognize that some damage is inevitable—both during installation and over time. Soot layer damage may expose the brown wood underneath, and these brown spots can be touched up with the black oil provided in each lumber package after installation. It’s worth noting that damage from abrasion or crushing (e.g., hammer marks) may not immediately show and could take a few rainstorms or seasons to become apparent. However, these blemishes can be addressed at any time with black touch-up oil. It’s common for Westerners to perceive these blemishes as defects, whereas in Japan, they enhance the desirable wabi-sabi nature of this traditional building material. 

We do our best to provide clear information about the unique characteristics of yakisugi—especially the delicate nature of Suyaki. It’s essential for your build team to perform thorough due diligence on all specified products and to ensure proper installation by following our detailed instructions and handling the material with care.

Gendai undergoes the same heat treatment process as our traditional Suyaki products, followed by a single brushing that removes most of the soot layer to create a more user-friendly siding product. 

This type of siding has been used for centuries. In Japan, the term “arai,” (meaning “washed”) is commonly used because water is used during the brushing process. Essentially, Gendai represents what Suyaki will look like after about 50 years of soot layer weathering. Gendai products should have a total lifespan of about 75 years without maintenance—and this can be extended with periodic oil recoating. 

It is essential for new owners to differentiate wood durability from color longevity. Like any other wood siding, Gendai used for exterior siding will naturally fade and weather over time. To maintain a specified color, it will be necessary to regularly recoat Gendai with one of our exterior finish options.

In Western Japan, brushed yakisugi (like our Gendai products) is traditionally installed without an oil finish and has demonstrated excellent performance. While finish coatings are not mandatory, they do enhance the overall lifespan and color longevity of any siding, including Gendai. Our specially formulated coatings enhance the durability of exterior wood installations by providing additional protection against UV rays and moisture. 

For yakisugi “shou sugi ban” customers with budget constraints, unoiled Gendai offers a solid choice. If desired, a finish coating can always be applied in the future. This flexibility allows for customization based on individual preferences and financial considerations.

Unoiled Gendai is occasionally used for traditional interior ceilings to serve as an air purifier. But for most interior yakisugi “shou sugi ban” applications, we recommend using a factory coating to bind any residual soot into the paneling surface.

At present, we do not offer a genuine clear coat prefinish option for our Gendai products, primarily because it is an infrequent specification request. The nearest factory-finished product available is Gendai with an alkyd Natural coating. This combination imparts a subtle yellow hue due to transparent oxides in the oil and is suitable for both exterior and interior applications. 

Customers can also purchase unoiled Gendai and have their own preferred finish coating applied on-site, before or after installation.

Any of our alkyd and acrylic coatings are suitable for both exterior and interior applications. If you prefer the appearance of the linseed coating over the alkyd option, simply specify linseed for exterior and alkyd for interior. (Please note: Our linseed coating option should not be used for interior applications.) 

Customers can also purchase unoiled Gendai and have their own preferred finish coating applied on-site, before or after installation.

We recommend coating Pika-Pika with some kind of sealer before installation to prevent sooty fingerprints on the blonde earlywood growth rings. 

First, we offer several factory prefinished Pika-Pika options that preserve the high-contrast, striped appearance of the unoiled product. For interior applications, our clear polyurethane coating is almost identical in color and tone to unoiled wood. Our“natural” alkyd oil option has an amber tone and can be used on both interior and exterior applications. Another exterior option is our “natural” linseed oil coating, which also gives the wood a light amber hue.   

We also offer unoiled Pika-Pika for customers who want to apply their own chosen prefinish or custom stain before installation—either for aesthetic reasons or to control project costs. When coating Pika-Pika at a local shop or on the jobsite, the following guidelines will ensure optimal results: 

1. Handle boards without touching the faces, holding them by the edges, ends, or backs to minimize sootiness. 
2. Control soot and sawdust using a shop-vac or compressed air. Remove sooty fingerprints with compressed air or a dry paint brush. 
3. After coating, sticker the boards horizontally, face up. Do not dry freshly coated boards standing on-end as the coating may run.
4. Make sure the boards are completely dry before installation. 
5. Coat boards before any cutting or ripping operations, such as cabinet or door glue-ups. 
6. Wash down the walls after installation with lots of clean water and a sopping wet rag.

In most cases, our interior and exterior coatings should not be used interchangeably. The heavy polyurethane coating applied to Pika-Pika for interior applications is specifically formulated for its intended environment; it is not suitable for exterior applications. When exposed to the typical UV and moisture of an exterior siding installation, a polyurethane coating will start to degrade. Even the most durable hard shell polyurethane coatings will eventually exhibit issues such as turning milky white, yellowing, cracking, and/or peeling.  

Hard coatings lack the elasticity needed to enhance the natural resilience of yakisugi against ever-changing exterior conditions. Recoating exterior polyurethanes or varnishes entails scraping or sanding; this cannot be done on yakisugi due to its surface texture. 

Please specify one of our products designed for exterior applications instead.

Pika-Pika with a “natural” alkyd oil finish (which has an amber hue) is the only factory coating we offer that can be used on both interior and exterior applications. If a clear finish appearance is preferred, please specify our “natural” linseed oil coating for the exterior and clear polyurethane for the interior.

We introduced our kiln-dried Sugi product as an additional option for North America in response to numerous customer requests. We were also inspired by projects where our customers contrasted our yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products with locally sourced cedars. 

Sugi offers a heartwood-sapwood color contrast that mirrors Western Red Cedar, while its grain pattern shares similarities with Eastern White Cedar and Bald Cypress. Our Sugi products are precisely milled from grade-A logs using traditional processes, then sanded to an interior-grade finished surface. These exceptionally high millwork standards make it a premium material. Our pricing remains competitive when considering comparable millwork and grading for randomly resawn North American cedars and cypresses. 

Moreover, our forests in Japan are managed sustainably, in accordance with Japan’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Wood sourced from Nakamoto’s own forests are PEFC certified material, ensuring the greatest care is taken in sustainable management and that old growth is never harvested. 

Our Sugi products are versatile for both exterior and interior applications, offering the choice of being coated or uncoated. Oil finish application and installation parameters are similar to other wood siding products in North America; Sugi can be coated and installed using standard tradecraft. Please note that we currently do not offer Sugi with a factory finish, apart from our unique weathering stain. This is due to potential soot contamination from the yakisugi products processed in our Portland coatings shop.

Sugi is specifically engineered not to require an oil finish and can be left unoiled for both interior and exterior applications. It can also be coated on-site using standard painting tradecraft in any desired color. We strongly recommend using only plant-derived coating formulas, steering clear of any petroleum-derived polyurethanes. It is advisable to test any coating on a sample before applying to the entire Sugi scope.

Hinoki is an aromatic and rot resistant species of cypress, native to Japan. Its wood has an even blonde color and a straight grain. We stock Hinoki moulder blanks and 8/4 rough stock, suitable for milling into siding, paneling, flooring, cabinets, or furniture. These products can be used on interior and exterior applications, with or without an oil finish. For specific details, please refer to our product specification sheet.

It’s important to note that Hinoki should be molded immediately before use to prevent pitch bleed during storage. While we supply the moulder blanks, we do not run profiles for customer orders; coordinate with your local custom millwork shop for moulding services. 

Please contact our sales team to confirm current Hinoki availability.

Hinoki is an aromatic cypress species native to central and southern Japan. The wood contains natural oils including hinokitiols, which make it resistant to rot, fungi, and insects. The fresh and robust aroma has a lemon-like scent that has been shown in academic studies to offer some unique health benefits. 

Hinoki is considered a sacred species in the indigenous animistic Shinto tradition and is the primary species used in Shinto shrine construction. In fact, hinoki becomes stronger as it ages and due to its astounding durability, many of these shrines as well as Buddhist temples remain intact after hundreds of years. Hinoki lumber has been shown to gradually weaken starting 1,000 years after the building is erected.

As a building material, Hinoki is versatile—with applications ranging from framing timbers, interior paneling, and exterior siding, to flooring and furniture. It is an especially outstanding option for tubs and saunas, where its calming and beneficial aroma is elevated. Hinoki can be used oiled or unoiled–but due to its beneficial aroma, it is generally used without an oil finish.

Nakamoto Forestry North America lumber products come from privately owned forests in Western Japan that have been sustainably managed for generations. 

Please visit our sustainability page for certifications and EPDs.

Nakamoto Forestry prioritizes sustainable sourcing and low carbon output for our products. Some projects may be eligible for LEED points due to our low carbon footprint. Please note, however, that our siding currently may not qualify for LEED points for two reasons. LEED gives points for local products within a 500-mile radius as well as for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which is not available in Japan for the species and grades that we consume. LEED relies on FSC certification to validate the sustainability of materials.

Intertek Laboratories administers an independent listing of Nakamoto Forestry flame spread certifications.

Western region high-fire zones are one of our largest single market categories. Some of our products qualify for use as exterior siding under SFM Chapter 7A-20-1 listings. All of our product certifications can be reviewed independently here. 

Since no nominal 1x softwood cladding (even Fire-Retardant-Treated-Wood) that we are aware of can withstand the 60-minute extended burn parameter, the Class A extended burn resistance must be achieved with an engineered wall assembly. If the plan reviewer is hesitant to allow any material that does not satisfy the Class A extended burn parameter, SFM compliance can generally be satisfied with a type-X substrate.

Most fire retardants applied to wood siding and paneling chemically react with heat as a means of slowing combustion. These retardants are typically salt-based and dissolved in a water solution before being applied to the lumber. External grade fire retardants also incorporate a proprietary polymer binder to mitigate the washing out of the wood during extended exposure to the elements. These fire retardants are engineered to react to heat in two primary ways: either by swelling dramatically within the wood fibers to limit oxygen penetration, or by releasing carbon dioxide and water vapor. In both cases, the effect is to decelerate combustion and reduce flame spread.

Five years or longer. All exterior-grade fire retardants are certified to retain the same flame spread class rating before and after five years equivalent weather exposure. To ensure ongoing fire resistance longevity, it is advisable to re-apply protective coatings every few years. However, it’s important to note that the fire-retardant market is relatively new, and as such, verifiable data beyond a five-year timeline is not widely available.

Sometimes. In general, fire retardants will darken the overall wood tone and may leave a light-colored residue on the surface. Some fire-retardant pretreatments can result in a crystalline residue on the wood surface as they dry. 

Our acrylic coating adheres to yakisugi lumber pre-treated with fire retardant better than any other coating we have tested. However, due to soot caking and residue allowance for some degree of coating adhesion loss must be accepted.

We offer exterior products on a scale between an earned patina on one end and a warranted factory coating on the other. Below is the progression on this range. Note that this is a complete list, but that our product lines have different oil formulas customized to each: 

Unoiled: Untreated wood will begin to patina immediately, gradually weathering in its own unique and uneven pattern in response to the specific site conditions. 

Weathering stain: This product is designed to help wood siding weather into an even silver color—like the classic “Cape Cod gray” patina. 

Tung oil: Our tung oil is custom designed for our Suyaki products. Tung oil is the heaviest and longest-lasting natural monomer oil. It transforms Suyaki’s soot layer from a delicate powdery texture into a substantial, leathery surface. However, due to the ephemeral nature of Suyaki, the tung-oiled siding will still blemish and weather as it ages. 

Linseed oil: Our linseed finishes are natural monomer oil coatings that are specifically blended to highlight the wood color and grain of our Gendai and Pika-Pika product lines. Linseed oils are semi-transparent, meaning they act as a lens to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. Due to its partially transparent coverage, UV rays from the sun will gradually cause the wood to fade or oxidize. 

Alkyd oil: Our alkyd oil base is made from vegetable oil that is chemically changed into an alkyd urethane polymer. These finishes are formulated for our Gendai and Pika-Pika product lines. Alkyd oils are semi-solid, which means they block most UV radiation. Because it has a high pigment content, the finish color will show more than the natural wood color. The more coats applied, the longer the color will last. The standard for our products is two coats of a waterborne alkyd oil finish; they can be recoated as needed in the future for maintenance.

Acrylic: Our acrylic options offer a multi-coat solid finish designed to provide the best durability and color longevity on our Gendai and Pika-Pika product lines. Since acrylics are solid finishes, they will completely hide the wood’s natural color (though the siding‘s texture will still be visible). Acrylic finishes are meant to be recoated every couple of decades on a schedule. They are not designed to patina over time.

In Japan, yakisugi was seldom coated or recoated with oil stains until the 1980s, when various colored oil options became widely available. Uncoated yakisugi offers an optimal combination of value and durability. Our carefully curated palette of custom-blended finish options is designed to satisfy a diverse range of customer preferences and designs.

Our semitransparent linseed oil prefinished products receive a standard single coating. Our semi-solid alkyd oiled products receive a standard two coats of finish. We recommend reviewing individual product specification sheets, pricing details, and obtaining samples to determine the best choice for your project.

Historically, back-oiling practice was not used for yakisugi siding in Japan. Back-oiling involves applying a coating to the back (typically uncharred) face of the wood siding. This practice is beneficial for managing moisture and minimizing dimensional movement, particularly cupping. 

Nakamoto Forestry provides back-oiling on all of our prefinished products. We recommend reviewing individual product specification sheets, pricing details, and obtaining samples to determine the best choice for your project.

We apply a thick coating of pigmented oil finishes because the thickness of the coating is directly linked to the longevity of the color. Even our “natural” colored exterior coatings feature a substantial amount of transparent, amber-toned oxide for UV protection. 

It should also be noted that as an oil finish dries, the pigment may settle out of suspension in the oil carrier, leaving yellowish pools in low spots on the siding’s surface. This is a normal characteristic of many of our coating products. (Sample swatches may not demonstrate this effect.)

We offer a range of factory coatings for our products. For interior applications, customers can specify polyurethanes, alkyd oils, and acrylic coatings. For exteriors, we have tung, linseed, and alkyd oils as well as acrylics and weathering stains. 

Tung and linseed are semi-transparent traditional oil finishes crafted to highlight the color and depth of the wood underneath; these are available exclusively as one-coat options. Alkyd oils are semi-solid/opaque stain finishes; we provide a standard two coats of prefinish on these products. Acrylic coatings are solid finishes that completely encase the wood in multiple protective layers, resulting in the best coating longevity. 

Please refer to our Finish Options page for more detailed descriptions and request samples to assist with your selection process.

Each project has its own unique design parameters. We work closely with customers and build teams to determine the combination of product and coating that best suits the specific project requirements. To begin the process of making an informed decision, we encourage you to review our Buyer’s Guide, product spec sheets, request product samples, and explore both our blog posts, and project portfolio for inspiration.

It is common for locally sourced wood trim adjacent to our yakisugi scope to be painted, either to complement or contrast with our siding. We can supply extra oil stain for this purpose as part of your original lumber package or purchased separately from our online store. 

Please note that, even with multiple coats of oil, locally sourced wood products may not perfectly match the color and tone of our yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products. The opacity of the coating also plays a role, with more opaque coatings providing a better match. A semi-transparent linseed coating is harder to match than a semi-solid alkyd coating. 

Opting for a contrasting trim color/tone is also a common approach, which simplifies the problem of trying to match two different materials.

We offer a range of gray coating options—none of them include any blue pigments. However, due to how the human eye perceives gray tones under different lighting conditions, they may sometimes appear to have a slight blue hue. Natural oil finishes can also impart an iridescent blue sheen due to oil residue, which tends to fade after exposure to exterior weather.

A perceived blue tone will typically fade for several reasons. Exterior wood siding tends to mellow after installation, developing reddish undertones. Natural oil finishes will also undergo slight oxidation, often resulting in a subtle yellow hue that warms up the siding. Interior paneling applications often see similar warming effects after installation as the wood darkens and the coating oxidizes. 

In addition, linseed oil coatings tend to exhibit warmer tones than alkyd coatings. The lighter the color the more noticeable these nuances will be in the final appearance.

All our coatings are explicitly designated for interiors, exteriors, or both. These coatings are formulated for their specific applications—it is very important to adhere to these guidelines to ensure optimal product performance, among other reasons. We never approve exceptions to our specification sheet guidance on this subject.

Most commercially available linseed oil finishes are made with a combination of boiled and unboiled linseed oil ingredients. The boiled portion helps dry and protect the wood, while the unboiled ratio helps coatings maintain elasticity as it weathers. Both components are essential to providing durability in exterior applications. 

Our linseed oil coatings are safe to handle once the oil is dry. However, if you prefer not to use our factory coatings, you can purchase unoiled wood products and apply your own choice of locally sourced finish. Please note that we cannot provide guidance on the application of coatings we are not familiar with and achieving a satisfactory result is the customer’s responsibility.

Like traditional oil-based products, alkyds provide a finish coating with high elasticity. The alkyd oil finishes we use are made from vegetable oil that is chemically polymerized and then dissolved into a water base. Cross-linking molecules bond as the finish dries, creating a durable coating on the wood surface. Thanks to their higher pigment content, alkyd oil finishes are typically more opaque and offer better UV protection than traditional oil coatings.

The tung oil coating on our Suyaki products enhances its durability for exterior exposure. This robust finish transforms the product’s delicate soot layer into a leathery surface that’s both resilient and user-friendly. While many high-grade traditional oil finishes include tung oil, we exclusively offer a tung oil coating on Suyaki for compatibility reasons. This option cannot be specified for any other offerings.

We have discontinued our oil-based interior coating options due to a limited market. Our current offerings for interior applications include alkyd oil, acrylic, and polyurethane coating options.

Our weathering stain is designed to transition from a factory silver color to a naturally bleached silver hue over time as the wood is exposed to the sun and elements. The stain incorporates a silver pigment blend that provides the initial factory silver color, which gradually washes off over the first few seasons of exposure. Significant blotchiness of this pigment is normal, as the stain lacks chemical emulsifiers or binders.

The other key component is ferrous sulphate. This chemical reacts with atmospheric moisture and tannic acid in the wood, facilitating a bleaching process that ultimately yields an overall silver color.  Our weathering stain accelerates a natural, living patina—akin to the classic Cape Cod gray aesthetic.

Technically, yes. A weathering stain can be applied to soffits, but it may not yield the desired results. Weathering stains typically rely on the wood having direct exposure to the elements to wash away the initial pigment and to activate the chemical bleaching process. Because soffits are typically shielded from wind, moisture, and sunlight, the intended aesthetic effect of a weathering stain may not be fully achieved.

Our weathering stain is exclusively formulated for exterior use; it is not suitable for interior applications. This product features a silver pigment that is applied to the surface without a binder—resulting in a soft residue on the surface. Also, the stain’s intended aesthetic effect requires that the wood have full exposure to the elements.

For an interior application, we would instead recommend choosing either our Gendai product with the Light Gray alkyd oil coating option or staining our unoiled Sugi product on-site to match the silver color of our exterior-grade weathering stain.

Our minimum lumber order policy is set at 400 square feet or $5,000 due to our production equipment and processes being tailored for the larger volume siding market. For “accessories only” orders up to $3500, please visit our accessories page.

Our standard policy states that the first line item must be a minimum of 400 square feet or $5000. However, it can consist of a mix of profiles if the oil finish is all the same (or if the products are unoiled). Our machine is optimized for large volume production; switching oil types for smaller orders is challenging. 

However, we’re happy to accommodate a mix of profiles to achieve the minimum—providing the order consists of stock items that do not need to be custom coated. Please see our Sales Policies for full details or contact our lumber sales team to make a detailed inquiry.

We have a flat pricing model, which means that our prices remain consistent across the board, regardless of the purchaser or volume.

Please see our current Sales Policies.

We do not sign customer purchase orders. We ask that customers sign off on our formal quotations as standalone contract documents.

We provide a five-year warranty on major manufacturing defects, excluding coatings, treatments, and accessories. Our acrylic coating is subject to a 25-year limited warranty. Warranty remedies are contingent on adherence to specified requirements outlined in our Terms and Conditions.

Choosing a sustainably manufactured solid wood option for your project is inherently a good decision. When installed following best practices, even exterior wood siding can last a lifetime. One key consideration, however, is whether the siding will maintain its beauty over time, even without regular maintenance.

Wood siding is rarely warranted, unless it undergoes thermal or chemical modification through an engineered process. Nakamoto Forestry yakisugi is a traditionally manufactured solid-wood building material—not an engineered product. Our yakisugi is warranted for five years—but it has a proven track record of reliability in the field under extreme weather conditions.

Yakisugi stands out for its remarkable cost performance and durability, and it has demonstrated these qualities over generations. Beyond its functional attributes, the true value of yakisugi lies in its natural, visceral beauty. Engineered wood options lack the color and tone variety, exotic grain patterns, and inherent authenticity that traditionally crafted yakisugi exhibits.

To make an informed decision, we recommend reviewing long-term weathering images and manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedules for all the products you’re considering. The following blogs offer some additional context about our products and the nature of yakisugi in general:

• How Long Does Yakisugi Last?
• Wood Longevity vs. Color Longevity
• Charred Wood Siding Color Change
• Real vs. Fake Yakisugi “Shou Sugi Ban”
• Unique Characteristics of Suyaki

For most locations in North America, we recommend placing orders at least 5 weeks before our products are required on-site. Some regions may have longer logistics times due to weather or transport limitations and may require placing orders even further in advance. Please inquire with our Sales team well in advance of your order to confirm current inventory and lead times.

Our products are installed using standard best practices for natural wood siding. Any licensed and competent contractor should be capable of installing our products. We encourage you to thoroughly review our installation manual and consult with your local building professional to ensure proper installation for your specific project.

We accept payment by check, wire, or ACH/echeck for US customers, and wire transfer only for Canadian customers. Credit card payments are accepted for transactions up to US$4,000. Payment instructions will be provided along with your invoice.

Orders totaling under US$40,000 must be paid in full at the time of the order. For orders exceeding $40,000, we will process with a minimum 50% down payment, with the balance due before shipment. Payment instructions will be included with your invoice.

Our logistics coordinator will reach out when your order is ready to confirm the delivery address and to advise on equipment needed for receiving the order on-site. If shipped through a common carrier, we will provide you with the tracking number. 

For common carrier orders, the freight terminal in your area will contact you to schedule a delivery appointment as it approaches your destination. In the case of shared flatbed/hotshot deliveries, the driver will directly contact the provided contact to coordinate final delivery.

Certainly. If you prefer to arrange your own freight, we will provide you with the dimensions and weight of your order. Please note that we have favorable freight rates from shipping partners due to our volume, and we can offer a quote for you to compare rates.

Yes, a forklift is needed at delivery in almost all cases. Moffett, boom, and tilt bed delivery services are not generally available in the trucking industry. Therefore, for common carrier and brokered deliveries, we generally ship via an enclosed trailer or flatbed. If there is no forklift available at the delivery location, your options include either picking up the cargo from a nearby freight hub or having it delivered to the contractor’s shop or a designated warehouse capable of receiving commercial deliveries.

Regarding freight, it’s important to note that the smaller the volume of wood, the higher the cost per square foot. If an order is split, the trucker will charge the same rate for volume/weight, but they will charge duplicate fees for things like extreme configuration and delivery appointments. In total, splitting an order into two shipments may result in additional freight charges of $500 to $2000 or more.

We recommend waiting until you have the complete scope of your order (including all accessories) before placing it. For example, it’s important to note that screen wall and trim accessories are generally installed before the siding. 

Unless it’s a large project that will be delivered in multiple stages, it is best to submit all line items in a single, comprehensive order. Change orders can be problematic and expensive; accessories that ship separately from wood will incur additional costs. Please visit our online store for standalone accessory orders, separate from lumber sales.

We can hold an order for a maximum of 30 days at our warehouse; after that, we will need to ship your order to the address provided. Please see our Terms and Conditions for further information.

Because our lumber products originate from Japan, there is no import duty fee. Canadian customers can anticipate a total tax rate ranging from 5% to 15% for Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), depending on the consignee’s province. Additionally, there will be documentation fees ranging from C$150 to C$250 charged by the nominated Customs Broker.

Our accessory products are manufactured in Japan, Taiwan and the United States. Current tariff negotiations remain in flux. Please contact our Sales team for more information.

We sell to contractors, suppliers, distributors, agents, and owners directly. Yakisugi “shou sugi ban” is relatively new in the West and demands comprehensive support—from the initial inquiry, through installation. Project contractors or homeowners are encouraged to purchase through their preferred distribution channel. We do not offer reseller or trade discounts.

All of our standard sample stock is cut from select-grade wood; whether samples have knots or not is a matter of chance. However, when a clear grade is requested, we take care to provide sample swatches without knots.

Gendai Linseed Brown and Linseed Amber may appear similar in interior light, but they exhibit significant differences in sunlight. The distinctions should also become more apparent in larger sample fields. It’s worth noting that Amber will generally fade more quickly than Brown, primarily due to its lower UV-blocking pigment content.

This question comes up during the sampling process because product samples often exhibit more cupping than full-length yakisugi “shou sugi ban” planks. To date, we have never had a cupping millwork claim on our actual full-length products. It’s important to understand that some cupping is intrinsic to authentic yakisugi and is not considered a defect, distinguishing it from faux-finished products. 

To maintain long, straight planks through our high-temperature heat treatment process, we adhere to a narrow millwork parameter for board thickness and resaw pattern. The resaw pattern allows for some cupping, which is a natural consequence of the radial drying process of wood. For installations, the use of a screen wall assembly and headed fasteners ensures a flat wall plane.

Exterior oil finishes must be highly elastic to accommodate inevitable movement of the wood in response to weather exposure and temperature changes. Our natural finishes include both mineral oil and wax content, both of which can feel wet or buttery to touch. It’s also important to note that oil finishes may exhibit a blotchy or inconsistent appearance at first due to variations in density from board to board.

Given that samples are typically for single use, kindly dispose of them responsibly or consider passing them along to someone else who may be interested in our products.

Our Portland location is configured for manufacturing and remote sales and does not include a customer showroom. 

We provide support to customers through email and telephone communication and typically send samples via USPS Priority Mail. To receive product samples, please visit our samples page and select a sample kit, or add up to 8 individual product samples to your checkout cart. For inquiries regarding Nakamoto Forestry products, our team is available Monday through Friday, from 6am to 4pm Pacific Time.

We offer lunch and learns tailored to your design firm’s interests as well as CEU programs for architects. We can also meet with your build team to discuss project specifics, just drop us a line.

Our technical staff is certified by the American Institute for Architects (AIA) for CEU credits. For information on current availability and to discuss specific arrangements, please review our CEU page.

Yakisugi installation follows standard best practices for all nominal 1x wood siding, involving acclimation, face fasteners, and a vented wall cavity. Please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team for a copy of our installation manual.

In addition, it’s crucial to have a design professional review the project installation parameters relative to your local building code and regional best practices for managing moisture and water vapor.

We do not maintain a network of recommended installers. Any experienced and competent wood siding contractor can easily install our products. We recommend working with a contractor you already have a relationship with.

Shiplap installations are generally quicker than tongue and groove siding, and our boards tend to be straighter than most other wood siding options. The installation labor for our Sugi, Gendai, and Pika-Pika products is comparable to other wood siding materials. However, it’s important to handle Suyaki with care due to its delicate nature, which may result in installation labor being approximately 10% higher than most other wood products.

We do not recommend hidden fasteners for exterior applications of softwood plank siding. Tongue and groove profiles with hidden fastener systems became popular during the housing boom post-WWII, when millions of modest houses were being built as cheaply as possible. But this design is not advisable for exterior siding because it traps water—greatly increasing the risk of rot and dimensional movement in comparison to shiplap or square edge plank siding.

To control wood movement in response to extreme temperatures and natural weathering over time, it is essential to install siding with headed fasteners. For detailed information, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to request a copy of our installation manual.

For interior installations, the standard practice is to use finish or pin nails in combination with construction adhesive. For detailed guidance, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to request a copy of our installation manual.

Yes, mitered outside corners are common. For specific guidance, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team for a copy of our installation manual.

To minimize damage to both the wood surface and the nails, consider using a rubber bumper on a coil nailer or a hammer cap on a hammer. 

When using a nailer, nails should be driven in flush to the wood surface. It is better to slightly underdrive pneumatic fasteners with the siding coil nailer than to overdrive them. Tighten fasteners in each wall section with a hammer before moving on to the next section. 

To get detailed information, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team for a copy of our installation manual.

Both our shiplap and square edge options offer great longevity and can be used for vertical and horizontal applications. The choice of which profile to use on a project is an aesthetic siding layout design decision. 

For detailed information, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to request a copy of our installation manual.

No. For both vertical and horizontal exterior siding layouts, shiplap and S3S profiles are superior to T&G because they dry out more quickly. T&G is an interior profile often mistakenly specified for exterior applications due to confusion between what the moisture control and cladding systems are independently designed to do.

Exterior siding is designed to shed water while permitting some water passage. The combination of a weather-resistive barrier (WRB) and waterproofing system situated atop the structural sheathing and beneath the cladding serves to prevent water entry and moisture accumulation within the wall assembly. The siding primarily functions as a cosmetic facade that shields the WRB from UV degradation, rather than acting as a waterproof barrier. Therefore, it is very important that the siding weeps and dries out quickly. 

Please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team for a copy of our installation manual.

We do not carry square shoulder shiplap profiles for our yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products. The burning and brushing techniques used to manufacture yakisugi yield outside board corners that align with the natural wood grain—creating an undulating line. The inclusion of a beveled shoulder on one side of the siding profile enhances the straight appearance of the groove between board edges.

Yes. Our Gendai and Pika-Pika S4S profiles are heat-treated on both faces and can be machine-coated with oil on both faces. For S3S board installation where the back side is exposed, the back of the boards can be stained with any dark color to blend in with the burned faces. 

For structural elements (e.g., fence rails, posts), standard framing lumber can be used to support visible cladding of sugi or yakisugi “shou sugi ban” plank products.

Yes—we do offer stock for batten and louver applications. Please see our product profiles for current availability.

Alternately, our plank products can also be ripped using a table saw into the desired width for various styles—such as board-and-batten or board-and-board. Touch up oil is provided with each lumber order and can be used to stain any ripped edges prior to installation. 

For layout suggestions, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual.

Our wood products are frequently used in soffits or cosmetic roof decks. Pika-Pika and Joko clear grade Sugi (whether unoiled or with a transparent oil finish) are both commonly chosen for this purpose. 

This gallery showcases work from an architect renowned for this aesthetic in Japan.

For fascia installations, we recommend either using our 5/4″ x 8″ S3S profile, or a structural subfascia under our 1×6” or 1×8” S3S profiles. Please plan on recoating the yakisugi surfaces with fresh oil every few years.

While occasionally seen in Scandinavian design, we do not recommend using wood plank products for roofing or other horizontal applications. Thin plank wood materials are prone to checking, twisting, and premature aging due to natural expansion and contraction.

Roofing applications require shorter-length shakes or shingles that allow for longitudinal expansion and contraction. If yakisugi is used on a roof or other horizontal application, plan on recoating yearly and eventually replacing the wood after several years.

No. Due to the high-heat flash treatment process, yakisugi shingles and bevel siding would cup and become too brittle to install.

The world is your oyster with trim and other details. Please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual and review our detailed suggestions and guidelines.

Please consult with your design professional on the specific details of your project.

Exterior siding should not be glued to the substrate since the wood must be allowed to expand and contract. Instead, it should be securely held with headed fasteners. For further guidance, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual.

Unfortunately, no. Interior polyurethane finishes are not suitable for any kind of exposure to exterior weather, direct sunlight, or moisture. It’s important to choose finishes that are designed specifically for these kinds of exposures to ensure the proper performance and durability of our products.

We do not recommend using our products for back splashes due to constant moisture exposure; this may negatively impact the performance and appearance of our wood products.

For guidance on caulking, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual.

The final recommended step in installing our yakisugi products is to wash the surfaces down with water to remove any soot residue. For exteriors, installers can use a pistol grip hose nozzle to gently wash down the walls. For interiors, use a clean rag or masonry sponge dipped into a bucket of clean water to wipe off any soot residue.

Please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual and refer to “Section 7.3 Clearances” for specific guidance. Here are some basic considerations: 

1. The general best practice is to maintain a clearance of at least 8 inches from grade to prevent water entry and wood rot. 
2. Calfire testing indicates that embers can accumulate in corners on horizontal surfaces adjacent to walls up to 5 inches. Therefore, it is advisable to keep all combustible materials at least 6 inches away from adjacent horizontal surfaces. 
3. Water splashing can lead to quicker fading at the bottoms of walls. The impact of mud depends on the type of material at grade (e.g., river pebbles, sod, decking). A 12-inch clearance from grade will minimize most mud splashing, but if the roof is not guttered, mud can splash up 3-4 feet from grade.

Rainscreen wall assemblies are now considered an industry standard best practice for all siding types—not only ours. Modern wall assemblies with structural sheathing and moisture barriers are not permeable. Without a screen wall assembly, they can trap moisture—leading to issues like black mold and wood rot. Therefore, it is crucial to have a wall assembly that weeps immediately and dries out quickly. For detailed guidance, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual.

The WRB is part of the waterproofing scope. Because it is distinct from the screen wall and siding scope, it is not part of our specification. Adequate moisture control and moisture vapor control are vital aspects of building design. External surfaces should be appropriately sealed and flashed in a shingle fashion to prevent moisture intrusion and accumulation. 

It is always advisable to have a design professional review our installation parameters in accordance with your local building code as well as regional best practices for managing moisture and water vapor in your area. Customers should also read and adhere to all material vendor installation requirements.

Drain mat products are designed to be installed under shingles, not plank siding. As such, these sorts of underlayments do not offer sufficient ventilation for air flow to quickly dry the wall cavity—nor do they provide a solid substrate to keep the siding plane flat.

Plank siding requires a gap of ⅜ to ¾ inch to facilitate air circulation and prevent mold and rot. It also needs a rigid furring bed, coupled with face nails, to prevent waves in the wall plane as the wood naturally moves over time. Given the challenging conditions of exterior environments with varying temperatures and moisture levels, it is necessary to adhere to these installation parameters for optimal durability and long-term appearance.

For detailed guidelines, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual. There are many ways to design a screen wall assembly, and each project is unique. We recommend consulting with a local design professional to tailor the design to your specific project requirements. Always adhere to manufacturer instructions and local building code regulations.

Please consult with your build team to decide what is best for your specific project. They can provide valuable insights based on the project’s unique characteristics and goals.

Most builders in the EU market use screws, while nails are the dominant choice in Japan. The North American market also mostly leans towards nails—but several considerations may influence that decision. For example, some passive home projects require screws to prevent penetration of the WRB.

Be aware that trim head screws often have heads designed for thick decking, not thin siding. These should be driven with the shoulder tight to the siding, not with the head driven flush to the siding.

To touch up nail heads after installation, use an industrial-grade UV-resistant paint. Simply dab each nail head using a paint pen or a cigarette filter dipped in the touch-up paint for a seamless finish.

No, it is not mandatory to use our trims with your lumber package—however, we do recommend them for several reasons. Nakamoto Forestry aluminum trims are designed to simplify your project by ensuring a polished appearance, efficient installation, and optimal durability. If you choose not to purchase our accessory products, you can trim out corners and windows as you would any other wood siding. Most projects will need head or other flashing that is custom bent locally. 

While our aluminum trims serve a cosmetic function, it’s important to note that they are not a substitute for a comprehensive moisture management system. All accessories must meet our installation parameters as well as local code requirements. Ensure that exteriors are properly sealed and flashed to prevent moisture intrusion and install in a shingle fashion for effective management. 

Always consult with a design professional to review project installation parameters relative to your local building code and regional best practices for moisture and water vapor management.

There are three types of maintenance for our yakisugi products, all of which are optional: 

1. Periodic Washing: The siding can be gently washed once or twice a year with water, using a hose and pistol grip nozzle. This helps remove accumulated pollen, dirt, and bird droppings. Since yakisugi is generally dark, these elements may be more noticeable than on lighter-colored siding. 
2. Touch-Up or Recoating: Blemishes on yakisugi can be touched up at any time. Like any stain-grade wood siding, yakisugi can also be recoated with oil to refresh its appearance, slow down weathering, and extend color longevity. This can be performed using the same tradecraft and types of oil finishes as those applied to unburned wood siding. 

Managing Shrinkage and Expansion: In the first few years after construction, the framing, furring, and siding itself may undergo some initial drying and settling. Over its extended lifetime, wood siding also naturally experiences shrinkage and expansion due to exterior weather exposure. To address this, a hammer or driver can be used to tighten loose fasteners periodically. Adding face fasteners as needed helps maintain a flat wall plane. For this reason, it’s essential for our products to be installed with exposed fasteners.

Siding can be gently washed down with water (using a hose and pistol grip nozzle) once or twice a year for basic cleaning. A sopping wet cloth or sponge can also be used. To wash off heavier layers of pollen, dirt, or dust, a very weak trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution, a neutral pH cleaner, or simple soapy water can be applied with a cloth or soft brush.

It’s typically important to clean and prepare the siding surface before applying a maintenance coat of oil. Consult any specified instructions offered by the finish manufacturer. We recommend cleaning and refinishing a small test area in an inconspicuous location before treating any large surfaces.

No. Historically, applying finishes to yakisugi siding has been a rare practice; it is considered optional for all our products. Yakisugi is intentionally designed to naturally weather and evolve in color over time. Nevertheless, as with any stain-grade wood siding, periodic recoating with an oil finish will enhance its freshness and longevity.

When applying or re-applying an oil finish to yakisugi, follow standard trade practices for stain-grade wood siding. Essentially, this means first ensuring thorough cleaning and preparation of the surface according to the finish manufacturer’s specifications before applying the maintenance coat of oil. Oil finishes typically can be applied by airless sprayer, roller, or brush.

For most of our yakisugi products (with the exception of unoiled Suyaki), we recommend immediately back-brushing by hand after applying the oil. This technique mechanically pushes the liquid oil into the wood grain, creating an even coating thickness. 

 Consult with your general or painting contractor on your specific project details.

The cost for re-coating yakisugi should be comparable to any other high-grade natural wood siding product. Depending on the specific project scope and logistics, the re-oiling cost can range from US$4 to $10 per square foot of siding.

Unlike paints that flake or peel with age, oil finishes gradually erode—which means coating longevity really depends on the applied thickness. A two-coat or three-coat factory finish will always last longer than any single coat of oil. 

One common practice is to order siding with one or two factory coats of oil and then apply an additional coat post-installation to soak into nail holes and any exposed wood fibers. Another approach is to give the siding a full year to dry out and start weathering before applying a second coat in the field. This will help fill in any surface checks that have appeared during the drying process, resulting in a more enduring finish. 

However, giving traditional yakisugi siding some time before optional coating or recoating extends its long-term cost performance. Maybe more importantly, it also gives customers a chance for the siding’s patina to develop its own unique aesthetic.

Installation blemishes, flaking, and weathering over time are all normal characteristics of this very traditional product. These common maintenance issues with Suyaki can be addressed by touching up or recoating with an oil finish. Please keep in mind that it’s natural for Suyaki to blemish and weather—and this developing patina is traditionally considered something that makes the wood more beautiful over time. To learn more, read about finding the right balance between color longevity and wood durability with authentic yakisugi.

Nakamoto Forestry’s silver weathering stain evenly bleaches wood to a distinctive silver patina similar to the classic Cape Cod gray aesthetic—creating a living finish for our Sugi and Gendai products.

Weathering stains are intentionally designed to eliminate the need for future recoating maintenance. They incorporate a non-toxic chemical that reacts with the wood’s acid content and atmospheric moisture, initiating the silvering process over the first few years. A silver pigment is also infused into the stain to provide some initial color on the wood’s surface; this gradually washes off over the first few seasons of weather exposure. Significant blotchiness of this pigment is normal, as the stain lacks chemical emulsifiers or binders.

While woodpeckers may occasionally peck at yakisugi “shou sugi ban” siding, it’s uncommon due to the siding’s unique charring process, which makes it less appealing to wood-boring insects. The reduced moisture content and absence of cellulose further discourage pest activity, minimizing the likelihood of woodpecker damage. 

That said, woodpeckers can be attracted to modern screen wall assemblies. They may peck at the siding since the air gap creates a harmonic effect, alerting nearby birds for social purposes (mating and feeding). Read more about how to mitigate woodpecker damage.

No. Yakisugi siding is resistant to wood termites. The charring process reduces cellulose and installation over a screen wall allows the siding to dry out quickly, making it an unattractive target for wood-boring insects. Learn more about yakisugi’s pest resistance.

Slip sheeting is used with some products to prevent prefinished faces from sticking together. If the siding is not covered properly and gets wet on the jobsite, the wax paper slip sheeting may adhere to the wood coating. To address this issue, promptly separate and sticker any wet lumber and remove the slip sheeting before it dries to avoid blemishes. Always store our products off the ground, well supported, on a flat surface, and protected from direct sun and rain.

It is not possible to brush and coat yakisugi board edges consistently; therefore, board edges will exhibit soot erosion, lost coating adhesion, and show wood color more quickly than the prefinished board faces. This is the nature of authentic yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products. Any uncoated edges can be touched up with oil after installation or during future recoating maintenance.

Our silver weathering stain initiates its chemical bleaching process inside the wood over the first year. We also incorporate a silver mineral pigment to provide a silver finish on the siding’s surface when it is new, which is designed to gradually wash off with exposure to the elements. Because this pigment is “in suspension” instead of “in solution,” some blotchiness may occur with this very unique finishing product. As the siding weathers over the first few seasons, any uneven tones will diminish, as documented in this portfolio example.