How to Make Your Home Smell Japanese — These 5 Fragrance Notes Are More Common in Japanese Homes, and Feel Fresh, Clean, and Calming

A Japanese-inspired minimalist kitchen and open dining space with paper lanterns, a white island, and black stools.

Muted palettes, minimalist textures, and calming silhouettes are some of the most sought-after elements of design in Japanese homes. However, an underlying and vastly underrated aspect of these living spaces is their scent story.

While the ritual of Kōdō plays a key role in perfuming Japanese-inspired spaces, it's the traditional fragrance notes that truly shine through. Think white musk, tea notes, bitter citrus, smoky woods, and watery fruits and florals.