Perfume Culture in Japan
If you have lived in Japan, you may already be familiar with the topic of perfume and how it plays a role in Japanese culture. You’ll find that in Japan, the art of subtlety is highly appreciated. The same can be said when it comes to fragrances. Unlike some countries where strong perfumes are common, Japanese perfume culture tends to favor lighter, cleaner scents that don’t overwhelm the people around you.
Some common fragrances you may find in Japan include:
◦ flowers
◦ citrus
◦ clean scents
◦ tea scents
◦ nature-inspired fragrances
Personally, I can really appreciate the lighter and more delicate fragrances that I find in Japanese stores, especially when it comes to crowded trains and public spaces. Sometimes less really is more…so long as it smells like vanilla~
Finding the Perfect Fragrance
When it came to choosing a birthday gift for one of my friends, I thought, what better gift could I bring her from Japan before meeting her in Greece?
My friend is a complete perfume connoisseur. She loves unique scents and is always searching for something special. Naturally, I made it my mission to find her a perfume that would leave a lasting impression.
I had three goals:
- The perfume had to be something super unique.
- It needed to have a subtle scent and not be too strong.
- I didn’t want something that felt overly mature, despite us being in our 30s.
So I scoured all around Umeda looking for the perfect fragrance. In the end, I came to two conclusions:
- I don’t know very much about perfume.
- If I want something done right, I should do it myself.
That is exactly how I ended up deciding to make a custom perfume at MY ONLY FRAGRANCE.
What is MY ONLY FRAGRANCE?
MY ONLY FRAGRANCE is officially my new go-to place when it comes to gifts for friends and loved ones.
At MY ONLY FRAGRANCE, you have two options:
*Purchase one of their existing fragrances
*Create your own custom perfume from scratch
If you choose the custom perfume workshop, you’re in for quite the experience.
Let me tell you all about my fun experience creating a one-of-a-kind perfume gift!
My experience at MY ONLY FRAGRANCE
Reservation
I originally visited the location just to figure out where it was in Umekita and ask about their services.
The staff explained that I could make a reservation online unless I wanted to join a workshop that same day. In the end, I decided to reserve a spot a few days later through the LINE app.
It was surprisingly easy!
Sign In
Upon arrival, I checked in and the staff confirmed my reservation.
They then gave me a slip of paper and explained how the custom perfume-making experience worked.
Everything was very organized and beginner-friendly.
Choose Your Fragrance!
This was probably my favorite part.
You get the opportunity to smell dozens of fragrances and choose the ones you like best. You can even decide exactly how many milliliters of each scent you want added to your perfume bottle.
It was honestly so much fun walking around smelling all the fragrances and trying to imagine which combinations my friend would enjoy.
I felt like a scientist conducting a very important experiment. 🙂
Consultation
From the start, you’re paired with a staff member who helps guide you through the process.
If you’re like me and know absolutely nothing about perfume while also being incredibly indecisive, don’t worry. The staff are wonderful.
I was paired with OKU, and I am so grateful that I was.
She patiently listened to what I wanted, gave honest recommendations, and helped me determine which scents would work best together. She also advised me on how much of each fragrance to use.
I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better staff member to help me create the perfect perfume.
Make The Perfume
Once we finalized the recipe, all I had to do was watch as OKU carefully measured and mixed the fragrances together….It was oddly mesmerizing.
There was something very aesthetically pleasing about watching the different scents being blended into one custom perfume.
If you’re curious about the process, you can check out my TikTok video about the experience here.
Somehow, we managed to create exactly the scent I had imagined for my friend.
The moment she sprayed the test sample, I was absolutely ecstatic.
It was perfect.
Wrapping It Up
After the perfume was completed, I asked them to gift-wrap it since it was a present.
Then it was time to pay.
Honestly, for everything included, I thought the price was extremely reasonable.
For:
- A 100ml custom perfume
- The extra option that helps the fragrance last longer than 10 hours
- A personalized label
- Professional gift wrapping
The total came to only ¥8,600.
Considering it was a completely custom fragrance experience, I was very happy with the final result.
The Perfect Gift
Hands down, this is one of the most unique gift experiences I have found in Japan.
I would recommend it for:
- Significant others
- Anniversaries
- Birthdays
- Souvenirs from Japan
- Content creators
- Perfume lovers
- Anyone wanting a signature scent
The fact that you can create a fragrance that nobody else in the world has makes this experience incredibly special.
I already know I’ll be returning the next time I need a meaningful gift for someone important to me.
Happy Perfume Making!
As a whole, I give this experience a 10 out of 10.
I’m incredibly thankful to OKU for helping me create the perfect gift, and I truly hope more people discover this hidden gem in Osaka.
I hope I’ve opened your eyes to the idea that sometimes the best gifts aren’t bought—they’re made from the heart.
If you’re looking for a unique activity in Japan, a personalized souvenir, or a memorable gift idea for someone special, I cannot recommend MY ONLY FRAGRANCE enough.
I’m sure you’ll be just as happy with the end result as I was.
Until the next article, please stay happy, healthy, and perfumed up in Japan!
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