mesm Tokyo also has a fragrance like this, one that can evoke memories and even the emotions that come with them. In the hotel, we greet our guests with two types of original fragrance, which we switch between according to the season. They were produced by Sho Ishizaka, a leader in Japan’s perfume industry. With 16 years in the business, he has collaborated with numerous companies and celebrities. As a winner of the Fragrance Grand Prix Japan, Mr. Ishizaka says that “It’s very important that a room fragrance extends a sense of comfort and match well with its location.” He also says that “Sometimes a scent you may have purchased on a trip because you liked the way it smelled may not move you in the same way once you get it home. Some scents just smell better because you experienced them in that place.” According to Mr. Ishizaka, temperature, humidity, and even the ambiance created by a particular place are all elements in this.

 

The original fragrances at mesm Tokyo truly turn the spotlight on Tokyo as a place. They are scents exactly like nothing else, and can only be found here. The first is Tokyo CITRON, a gourmand, citrus scent that floats through the humid spring and summer seasons. Here in the Tokyo Bay area, warm weather brings southerly winds, which pick up moisture and with it a hint of the ocean. This geographical feature and the Japanese love of citrus in general were taken into consideration in creating this fragrance, says Mr. Ishizaka, who himself is from the Tokyo Bay area. The scent came out of his attachment to this place. The moment they step into the hotel, our guests’ nostrils are delighted by a refreshing citrus aroma that creates a sense of the openness of the Tokyo waterfront.

 

The second fragrance is Tokyo OUD, a scent that warmly embraces our guests in the fall and winter seasons when the temperature drops and the air is clear. The spicy aroma of oud (agarwood), prized around the world since ancient times when entertaining guests, is greatly appealing. The fragrance was designed to express a certain adult glamorousness that suits those times in fall and winter when sophisticated people dress up and get together. In Japan, not everyone cares for oud’s woody scent, so to ensure the fragrance would match this place and still be acceptable to Japanese guests, the aroma was lightened up even as its woody characteristics were retained. The exotic, somehow warm scent, reminiscent of trees, will thaw the heart even on a chilly day. Both scents perfume in perfect balance, something Mr. Ishizaka says represents “Tokyoness.”

 

Something else Mr. Ishizaka says is important to this “Tokyoness” is a subtle fragrance. “If someone feels uncomfortable with a scent or smell, it makes it difficult to stay in that space. That’s why it’s so important that we offer comforting fragrances,” he says. Certainly, being comfortable is important. But how do you define “comfort?” How do you express it when it means something different to every person? Mr. Ishizaka responded by saying that “The way I think of it is whether or not you can inhale the fragrance—a light aroma that your nose tries to follow. That’s just about right.”

 

His ability to express “Tokyoness” comes from his understanding of Japan as a country and his focus on fragrances made in Japan. Under SHOLAYERED, his own private brand, he is currently suggesting a new way to select and enjoy scents by layering them. Carefully produced with Japanese quality in mind, the entire lineup is made in Japan, and the appeal of these Japanese fragrances is now being conveyed in 12 countries around the world.

He also had something surprising to say about aroma and food. According to Mr. Ishizaka, a country’s fragrance culture is often tied to its food. “The Japanese have a delicate sensibility,” he says. “They like citrus scents and have a sense of appreciation for subtlety, transparency and delicate workmanship. Japanese cuisine is a world of light flavors and dashi (soup stock). This is where citrus fruits such as kabosu, sudachi and lemon make an unobtrusive appearance. I interpret this as Japan’s fragrance culture.” That explanation makes sense. Simplicity on one axis is intertwined with elements that accentuate that simplicity. Perfumes born out of this approach to Japanese cuisine demonstrate Japanese values in key markets overseas, and are becoming accepted locally. No other fragrance brand today combines that approach with the strength of a Japan-made product. Mr. Ishizaka’s confidence in communicating his perfume brand from Tokyo to the rest of the world is also linked to the inspiration behind mesm Tokyo’s TOKYO WAVES concept. “Those who have been tossed about in the bustle of Tokyo have made their way through an incredible series of waves, giving them a strength that should sustain them overseas as well.” Mr. Ishizaka’s words were powerfully encouraging.

A memorable fragrance is more than just a nice smell. It is only when the climate and characteristics of a place are projected and shine even more brilliantly that they leave a lasting impression on people. Mr. Ishizaka closed by saying, “Like a fragrance, how long you can stay in a space is an important factor in its design.” He continued, “Even among luxury hotels, mesm Tokyo is unique in its use of color and design. I hope people will enjoy the time they spend in this space along with these fragrances.” In summer, you can relax on the balcony with a beer in hand, feeling the pleasant ocean breeze off of Tokyo Bay. In the winter, you can warm up with a cup of hand drip coffee. Our fragrances gently accompany our guests as they each spend their time in their own way, and the stories spun out here will be engraved in their hearts as a wonderful memory.

 

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