5 Japanese Scenting Secrets to Create a ‘Clean, Restorative, and Mentally Calming’ Home

I noticed these soft, fresh, and floral notes everywhere I went on a recent two week trip

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After recently spending two weeks travelling between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more rural spots along the Southwestern coast, every shop, temple, onsen, and hotel I entered all had one thing in common − they all smelled incredible.

Most noticeably, it was clean, citrussy, and fresh scents that I noticed: Think floral sakura, warm hinoki wood, and aromatic notes of green tea. Everywhere I went was a calm, curated, fresh-smelling space.

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5 Japanese Home Fragrance Favorites

1. Yuzu

A blue bowl filled with lemons on a yellow stool. Behind is a red and white patterned wallpapered wall, oversized baseboard, and blue and white patterned floor.

Yuzu puts a twist on traditional citrus scents.

(Image credit: Future / SIMON BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY)

As Maiko Shimazaki, founder of Revitalist15, a wellness brand rooted in Japanese relaxation rituals, shares, yuzu has long been used in Japanese baths, especially during the winter solstice tradition called yuzuyu, where the fruits are floated whole in hot baths.

'Compared to Western citrus scents like lemon or grapefruit, yuzu is softer and more nuanced, with a gentle bitterness and subtle herbal undertone,' she explains. 'The scent feels fresh and uplifting without being overpowering, which is why it’s so commonly used in Japanese homes, spas, and wellness spaces. It’s often associated with relaxation, warmth, and emotional calm.'

To enjoy this lightly bitter, citrussy scent at home, the LA JOLIE MUSE Yuzu & Neroli Blossom Candle, available at Amazon, will make a worthy addition to any best candle collection.

Alternatively, if you're green-fingered, you could also try your hand at growing yuzu at home, which will flower in late spring next year.

2. Hinoki

A kimono wall hanging on a floral wallpapered wall, with tatami mats, a wooden stool, and an open glass door to the right.

The scent of hinoki wood is synonymous with Japan.

(Image credit: Future / Styling Emma Thomas, Ali Brown, Laura Vinden, Photographs Damian Russell)

As we walked part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, the subtle smell of hinoki wood lingered beautifully in the air, and quickly became one of my favorite parts of the trip − so much so that we bought some home to fill a bowl in our bathroom.

'Hinoki, a Japanese cypress wood, is one of the most iconic scent notes in Japan,' says Mint Pattanan, founder of Kandlery, an eco-luxe home fragrance brand specializing in Asian inspired scents. 'It is commonly used in temples, onsens, and traditional bath rituals.

'The scent has a soft woody aroma with subtle citrus and earthy undertones that many people associate with calmness, mindfulness, and relaxation. It creates a spa-like atmosphere and helps make a home feel peaceful and uncluttered.'

For that reason, it's particularly perfect for making a bathroom smell like a luxury spa. Both hinoki essential oil, available at Amazon, and this hinoki reed diffuser will hit all the right notes.

'These scents are popular because they feel clean, restorative, and mentally calming,' adds Maiko.

3. Green Tea and Matcha

A white teapot, matcha whisk, and wooden cutting board with two black and white pots, a long black spoon, and a black vase filled with green plants against a white wall.

Herbal and earthy, the notes of matcha and green tea are calming and grounding.

(Image credit: Future / Future Publishing Ltd)

'Tea scents are deeply connected to Japanese culture through tea ceremonies and everyday moments of pause,' says Mint. 'Notes like green tea and matcha are popular because they feel soft and balanced.

'They bring a subtle freshness to the home while also creating a comforting and meditative atmosphere.'

This Rewined Gourmand Matcha Latte Tin Candle, available at Anthropologie, perfectly captures the warming, earthy, creamy scent of matcha, which I enjoyed each and every day in Japan, and regularly drink at home, too.

4. Sakura

A close-up of a cherry blossom plant.

Flowering cherry trees are one of the most iconic Japanese sights.

(Image credit: Future / Future Publishing Ltd)

I was lucky enough to experience Japan at the start of spring, and blooming cherry blossom was a frequent sight − and smell − throughout our stay.

'Sakura is one of the most culturally symbolic scents in Japan because cherry blossoms represent both the arrival of spring and the fleeting nature of life,' says Maiko. 'The scent itself is soft, delicate, and slightly powdery.

'Unlike heavier floral fragrances, sakura creates a gentle ambient softness rather than dominating a space. It feels calming, nostalgic, and quietly optimistic, which is why it remains such a beloved home and personal fragrance in Japan.'

I have the cherry blossom and rice milk RITUALS The Ritual of Sakura Candle, available at Amazon, in my own home, and it's also the scent I wore every day on the trip. You can also grow flowering cherry trees in pots for bountiful blooms next spring.

5. Musk

A wooden and sage green seating area with large plant, tiled flooring, patterned cushions, and large windows.

Musk scents are elegant and suitable for all spaces.

(Image credit: Future / Future Publishing Ltd)

Finally, says Mint, 'In Japanese fragrance preferences, musk is often used in a lighter and cleaner way compared to heavier Western interpretations,' and it's perfect for fragrance layering.

'Soft musk adds warmth and softness to a space without becoming overwhelming. It helps fragrances feel calming, skin-like, and minimal.'

The Honeypot Fresh Neroli & Vanilla Musk Glass Candle, available at Anthropologie, combines those more subtle notes with uplifting floral neroli, while the LA JOLIE MUSE Ginger & White Musk Candle, available at Amazon, features spicy ginger and fresh lemongrass.

What to Shop

If you want to bring a touch of Japan into your space, these quick ways to make your home smell nice are easy to add and enjoy.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

A black and white image of Maiko Shimazaki wearing a white skirt and black and white patterned skirt, sitting in a chair.
Maiko Shimazaki

Maiko is the Founder of Revitalist15, a wellness brand that's grounded in Japanese self-care tradition and rituals. She was born and raised in Japan.

A headshot of Mint Pattanan
Mint Pattanan

Mint is the founder of Kandlery, an eco-luxe home fragrance brand specializing in Asian inspired scents and clean-burning candles. She grew up in Thailand and started Kandlery to create fragrances inspired by the calm, comforting memories, rituals, and sensory experiences found across Asia.

These Japanese sleep secrets pair perfectly with a beautifully fragranced home.

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Ottilie Blackhall
Ottilie Blackhall
Sleep Editor

Ottilie joined Homes & Gardens in 2024 as the News Writer on Solved, after finishing a Master's in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. Now, as the Sleep Editor, she spends her days producing content on all things sleep – from mattresses and sheets to protectors and pillows, all of which she tests in her own home. She also has particular expertise in home fragrance, covering everything from candles to reed diffusers, and frequently attends showrooms, including Vispring and Frette, and events hosted by the likes of Diptyque, Jo Malone, and Malin+Goetz.

Previously, she has written for Livingetc and Motorsport Magazine, and also has a Master's degree in English Literature and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh.