Ditch Your Perfume Bottle Before Boarding A Flight To
This Country
By Jenna Busch
VACATIONS
The Japanese tend to frown upon wearing strong perfume in public. Though you can wear light fragrances, you'll want to play it safe to avoid "sumehara" or "smell harassment."
The issue extends beyond perfume, encompassing fabric softeners, lotions, and even cigarette smoke. The Japanese avoid these in most public places, especially sushi bars.
In Japanese culture, the scents of dishes play a major role in the dining experience. Perfume may impact the delicate scent of sushi and other foods, changing the flavor.
Due to this, some sushi restaurants have banned strong perfumes. "Those ambient scents definitely can affect the taste of the food and mood," says psychologist Charles Spence.
If you cannot live without your scent while in Japan, stick with options that have a lighter smell. If you have a travel companion, ask if they can smell it before heading out.