Private Japanese Scent-Making Experience with a Scenting Designer in Tokyo

Breathe in Japan’s Refined Fragrances to Your Heart's Delight

Set out on a "journey of scents" — the theme for this experience — on this Wabunka-exclusive plan. Scents are considered to be closely tied to memories, as they can evoke a sense of nostalgia and other related emotions. In this regard, since you will be creating a custom scent with ingredients extracted from plants found in Japan, your unique scent will serve as a memory of your time in Japan.

An array of scent-making ingredients from all over the world

In addition to ingredients associated with Japanese scents, you can also take your pick from over 100 scent-making ingredients from around the world: herbs and spices from India, natural wood-based scents from northern Europe, plumeria from Hawaii, and so on. Feel free to choose whatever scents resonate with you at the moment.

By combining Japanese scents such as Japanese pine and hinoki cypress with international ones, you can create a unique scent that will remind you of your time in Japan — while making you feel as if you're traveling around the world.

The scents in this experience take inspiration from plants and nature

As you sample various scents for comparison, you will discover a wealth of fascinating things about scents in this experience. For example, the scent of an unripe green lemon is different from that of a ripe yellow one. Take your time breathing in a wide array of natural scents; let the fragrances soothe you, stimulate all five of your senses, and refresh you deep inside.

Spreading the Appeal of Natural Scents Around the World

Your instructor for this experience will be scenting designer Megumi Fukatsu, an expert at creating unique natural fragrances and designing spaces with scents. Hailing from the southern Japanese region of Kyushu, Ms. Fukatsu grew up surrounded by the lush greenery of Oita Prefecture's Hita City, as her family was involved in the forestry business.

Fragrance expert and scenting designer Megumi Fukatsu

Highly committed to what she calls "genuine scents," Ms. Fukatsu only uses natural fragrances extracted from plants. Making good use of her memories of familiar scents from childhood, she spreads the appeal of scents around the world. She explains, "Ever since I was young, I was constantly surrounded by genuine, natural fragrances. My memories of those scents still guide me to this day."

Pay attention to the subtle changes in fragrance as you blend ingredients to create your own scent

Ms. Fukatsu describes what she does as "scenting design," which entails creating custom scents to complement a space. This is based on traditional cultural practices such as filling a space with fragrance, scenting kimonos, and ancient nobles' scent-based entertainment. While valuing traditional heritage, Ms. Fukatsu also explores future possibilities to keep up with changing times.

She says, "Actually, Japan is quite ahead when it comes to the idea of using scents as a design element. After all, Japan has long had a culture of scent appreciation in the form of 'kodo,' the way of incense." Considered one of the classical Japanese arts, kodo is the art of appreciating incense, covering everything incense-related, from the burning of incense to incense guessing games.

Spreading the profundity of scents to the world

Ms. Fukatsu is actively involved in not only local endeavors, but also international ones. She has traveled extensively around the world to procure scent-making ingredients. Additionally, she has been to Berlin, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and other major cities for the launching of brands she has been involved with. She adds, "To pass down the appeal of scents to future generations, I'd also like to focus on educating the public from now on, such as through the establishment of scent design academies."

Kudan House, A Registered Tangible Cultural Property Full of History

This experience will be held at the historic Kudan House, a registered Tangible Cultural Property in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Built in 1927 to serve as the residence of wealthy businessman Mankichi Yamaguchi the Fifth, this elegant three-story house features a mix of Spanish and Japanese architecture and design motifs.

The classical Spanish exterior of Kudan House

As Kudan House was built after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, it was built with a reinforced concrete-wall structure to withstand strong earthquakes. Incorporating arches and Spanish-style roof tiles, the estate was designed in the Spanish architectural style that was in fashion at the time. For these reasons, the Japanese government recognized Kudan House's historical and cultural significance, and it was designated a registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2018.

The interior of Kudan House was beautifully and skillfully designed to let in plenty of sunlight

On top of being an industrialist, Mankichi Yamaguchi the Fifth also had remarkable artistic sensibilities, and was thus highly particular about the furniture, decor, and design of his estate. For example, semi-outdoor spaces such as verandas and screened porches were built to maintain a seamless connection between the house's interior and exterior and to easily feel the changing of the seasons.

A Special Time for Yourself; An Intimate Scent Creation Experience

The highlight of this private experience is the creation of your own personalized scent. First, sample a whiff of various scents to find which you like best. Then, let Ms. Fukatsu know in detail what mood you'd like to evoke with your selected scents. Next, Ms. Fukatsu will begin the process of creating your custom scent for you. As the blending process will be repeated several times, you can think of this stage as a journey to find and refine the perfect scent for you.

An example of a spacious private room in Kudan House used for this experience

Ms. Fukatsu will carefully explain various things in detail, such as where a certain plant-based scent was sourced from. This way, you can familiarize yourself with your chosen scent and scent-making ingredients even further.

What's more, since scents can also be seasonal, if your timing is right, you might even be able to use rare scents only found at a given time of year. You can also combine scents that are familiar to you with a Japanese scent base — for instance, Italian bergamot and Japanese yuzu.

Discover new scents through this private scent blending and creation experience

Leave Traces of Your Travel Memories in Your Unique Scent

After the experience, take home 15 to 20 mL's worth of your original scent, along with a wood diffuser made of Kyoto hinoki cypress. Alternatively, you can instead opt for your finished product to be a room spray or a diffuser (additional charges apply). Whichever you choose, you can easily liven up your home with your new scent that's uniquely yours. This is what scenting design, the concept that Ms. Fukatsu pioneers, is all about.

Enjoy your one-of-a-kind scent to the fullest at home

This experience will fill you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for natural scents, many of which have been passed down since ancient times — all while enjoying the tranquility of Kudan House. How about joining Ms. Fukatsu on a journey of scents and leaving behind traces of your memories of Japan in your one-of-a-kind scent?