Why don’t Japanese people wear perfume generally?

[@1983simi]

I love perfume of all variations (strong, gentle, floral, fruity, spicy, etc) and I have a huge collection. However, during my visit to Japan - having heard before of strong perfumes not being so common - I intentionally picked a very light and natural smelling floral (one floral note only) one for the trip and applied very little. While it's certainly also a cultural thing of not appreciating people trying to stick out and impose their presence on others in an obnoxious way, I do think part of it is also very understandable due to the way especially Japanese cities function. There are loads of people and most of them commute with public transport. Also, many restaurants are tiny or have very close seating. Literally if someone wears a strong or even just medium-strong perfume it will fill a room (or train cart) and for all the other commuters or patrons there is no way to escape having to smell that scent. You cannot shut off your sense of smell at will. So packed as public transport tends to be you're really forcing your fragrance on dozens of people who may have had a long day of work behind them (or ahead of them). They may already have a headache or already feel a little nauseous. Now you're adding your scent to that. Also for restaurants, especially those of traditional Japanese cuisine, flavors tend to be on the subtle side, so now if someone with a very strong fragrance comes in you can hardly appreciate the food anymore. It is well known that scent affects the way we taste things. Everyone knows that from how different things taste when we have a clogged nose and can't smell anything. Generally in very populated and/or small indoor spaces it is only considerate to not impose yourself on others. And with Japan not having a 'perfume culture' in that sense you really do stand out like a sore thumb if you insist on making your presence known that way. It's just a part of culture you have to accept and try to respect a little as a guest imo. So yeah, I wore a fragrance but really dialed down to a minimum level to a point where it smelled more like just a light detergent. Where I live btw. people LOVE fragrances and they can't be strong enough. They color our world just like spices and colors of our clothes. But well, again, different countries different customs. Btw. that idea that people like to spread online that Japanese people don't smell at all is bogus. Take a metro in the evening people do smell of sweat and bad breath (most likely due to dehydration or not eating or eating unhealthy for lunch). Not as pungent as most Caucasians, sure, but still they do smell. They are human beings you know ;) But all the more I understand why strong perfume is not appreciated especially in public transport. I think the smell of perfume mixed with BO is THE WORST. Better people just smell like people in such situations.

[@ponderingmonk525]

Would Japanese natives fault a foreigner if they wore fragrances? I am a huge fragrance guy and love wearing them, so I was just wondering. I will be heading to Japan for 18 months and will not bring my fragrances if they will be too annoying

[@lilq4195]

Try wearing molecule 01. It would be perfect in this scenario. Your could also try ambroxan

[@earncredible]

I think they would be considerate to foreigners, but of course you have to give consideration back. Try wearing something light. From what I know Japanese people are very minimalist, they would not appreciate loud fragrances.

[@kingjojojo1]

wear a japanese perfume like kenzo pour homme, then you have an excuse😂

[@khadykhaled8625]

Same in korea

[@janrico904]

what some GREAT Japanese perfume brands ? is there sakura scent ?

[@LeviAckerman-iw5to]

Bruh, i love perfume, especially the one that have sweet scent and people love stand close to me, well mostly girls. 😏

[@rumsinahrumsinah993]

I use more fabric fragrance or softener to my laundry😂

[@abdullahalmuhsi1500]

😂