Oct 25, 2023
Japan's Top 100 smells
A recent blog post from ToneToEdo about the beautiful smell of osmanthus at this time of year reminded me about another fun way to appreciate Japan's aromas. There's actually a list of Japan's Top 100 scents, and it's something that was compiled by the Ministry of Environment. You can peruse the full list here, but it includes things like the Kanda used book district in Tokyo, tulips at Tonami in Toyama, and the sulfur smell at Owakudani in Kanagawa's Hakone area.
Hakone's Owakudani was one of Japan's Top 100 smells. Pic Credit: Nicholas Wang/CC By SA 2.0
Interestingly, not all the smells are what I'd call pleasant (does anyone actually like the sulfur smell?!) but I think that's what makes scent so interesting.
I also like that the list has all 47 prefectures represented, so you can find one of the country's representative smells near you!
Any favorites you've been to on the list of Japan's Top 100 smells? Perhaps you've got some additions you'd make to the list, instead!
1 Comment
TonetoEdo
on Oct 25
Ehime Prefecture mikan blossoms not just at Nishiuwa as indicated in the list but just about any orchard in the southern region, Nanyo in April and May has the warm scent of mandarin oranges.