Japan Expands Niche Perfume Market With Vending Machines and Personal Consultations

Japan’s perfume industry is seeking to attract new customers through personalized fragrance consultations and vending machine retail, while beverage companies have also entered the scent market, Kyodo News reported.

Nose Shop Inc. is providing private, appointment-based consultations designed to help customers explore fragrances beyond familiar preferences. (NOSE SHOP（ノーズショップ）｜香水のセレクトショップ) 

Nose Shop Inc., which offers a wide range of niche perfumes from around the world, opened a salon in Tokyo in January providing private, appointment-based consultations designed to help customers explore fragrances beyond familiar preferences.

During sessions, six unlabeled fragrances are first selected based on customer profiles.

Clients describe their impressions of each scent, and additional fragrances are introduced over the course of an hour before brands are revealed at the end of the session.

“What one likes may change depending on how the scents are combined. It’s a great opportunity to become more familiar with fragrance,” said staff member Risa Azuma.

A session costs 4,400 yen (about $30).

Amulette Inc., a Tokyo-based fragrance information company, has also introduced vending machines imported from Spain that dispense small perfume samples. Users can pay a few hundred yen depending on the brand to try different scents.