Personalized Natural Aroma Blending Session with a Perfumer in Tokyo

A Lifestyle Full of Fragrances that are Gentle on the Mind and Body

Just about 15 minutes by train from Shibuya and a two-minute walk from Nishi-eifuku Station is the aroma atelier À TERRE, the venue for this experience. As soon as you open the shop’s glass door, you will be greeted by a gentle, all-natural aroma wafting throughout the atelier. Get comfortable as you let the fragrance stimulate your sense of smell, and in no time, you will feel your shoulders starting to relax.

À TERRE’s naturally modern exterior is a landmark in itself

À TERRE believes in adding vibrance but also calm to contemporary lifestyles with the help of natural aromas full of vitality. Its two original brand lines, “ART organic” and “TUNE”, revolve around scents that resonate with the senses and gently stimulate the mind and body. Additionally, the shop holds personalized aroma blending sessions to create customized scents that suit each guest’s needs, lifestyle , and so on. This plan, which is perfect for couples or families, involves a personalized blending session at À TERRE with special Wabunka-exclusive privileges for a more indulgent aroma experience.

One of À TERRE’s original brands is the “TUNE” line, named such because it tunes one’s mind, body, and space

Olfaction as a Mirror of One’s True Self

Naho Kawano, the owner and founder of À TERRE, hails from the apparel industry. She became fascinated with aromas on a procurement trip abroad and immediately found herself drawn into the world of scents. She then set about building her credentials, gaining knowledge and skills in essential oil formulation, aroma space design, aromatherapy for mental health, and so on. She also served as a director of the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ). “Aromatherapy is a world of never-ending learning. I think that it would be difficult to completely understand the natural world even if you spent your whole life studying it, but that’s what makes it so fascinating. It truly is a deep world,” she says.

Naho Kawano, owner of À TERRE and the host of this experience

In this experience, under Ms. Kawano’s guidance, you will create the perfect scent that resonates with your current self in the moment. The key is to trust your intuition instead of overthinking. Ms. Kawano says that it is common for guests to become aware of their unconscious inner thoughts during this experience. She says, “Olfaction — the sense of smell — reflects one’s true self, just like a mirror. I would like guests to discard unnecessary preconceived notions, and just enjoy the moment as they intuitively choose a scent that feels comfortable to them.”

Herbal tea or cordial will be served during the session

Tuning Your Mind and Heart with a Consultation Session

The experience will begin with a consultation with Ms. Kawano. While enjoying tea, tell Ms. Kawano about your lifestyle, recent physical and mental state, the kind of person you want to become, the state of mind you wish to achieve, and more. Aromatherapy can help one adjust to unfamiliar surroundings and stabilize physical and emotional fluctuations. This consultation will give Ms. Kawano a better idea of which essential oils to recommend, so just think of it as a casual chat at a cafe. There is no need to worry, as Ms. Kawano will kindly take in your words.

A richly diverse lineup of essential oils that includes organic, raw, and all-natural variants

After the consultation, it’s time for the much-awaited scent experience. Based on the information you shared with Ms. Kawano, you will try a variety of all-natural essential oils and choose multiple scents of your liking. As a Wabunka-exclusive privilege, a range of Japanese essential oils such as hinoki (cypress), kuromoji (spicebush), and various local citrus fruits such as hyuganatsu, shiranui, and ponkan. Evoking the local countryside, these essential oils are relatively rare because they are made in limited quantities, so take the opportunity to try them out.

When you encounter a scent you like, your body will naturally respond

Creating a Scent that Complements Your Current Self

The next step in the experience is blending. Choose carefully as you further narrow down your selection of essential oils. To help you decide, check the distinctive qualities and uses of each essential oil. While confirming what you want to get out of the finished product, Ms. Kawano will use her blending techniques to create a well-balanced scent.

A new scent is born through Ms. Kawano's exquisite blending skills

“The important point to take note of when blending is whether the scent is pleasant for you,” explains Ms. Kawano. According to her, no matter how functional the formula may be, if you do not feel an affinity for the scent, you cannot expect any positive effects. As a result, it is recommended that you take your time as you create the perfect scent that resonates with you in the moment.

As if conducting a laboratory experiment, you will blend essential oils with a dropper

Transform the Power of Scents into Your Own Power

Your finished scent will be given to you as a 30-mL eau de toilette. (Please note, however, that depending on the essential oils used, your eau de toilette may be shipped at a later date). As a Wabunka-exclusive privilege, you will have the option to choose the type of your eau de toilette. Mist-based eau de toilette, for example, is convenient and easy to use. You can spray it on objects such as masks, clothes, pillows and sheets; on your wrist or neck; or into the air for a change of mood.

Your original eau de toilette will also come with the formula for the essential oils you blended

Your original scent created during your aroma blending session at À TERRE will surely enrich your daily life. Take the time to immerse yourself in the moment as a gentle, pleasant scent washes over you. As time passes, you will feel your mind and body start to relax and heal, giving you an appreciation for the power of scents.