Scents of Osaka become popular souvenir

[yuuteya]

Scents of Osaka become popular souvenir

Air fresheners depicting famous Osaka locales have become popular souvenirs since they went on sale in September.

Since Senoya Co. in Chuo Ward, Osaka, that operates souvenir shops "Naniwa Meibutsu Ichibiri-an," began selling the air fresheners, about 500 units a month have been sold at JR Shin-Osaka Station Kiosk and other places.

The air fresheners were jointly developed by members of Naniwa Meibutsu Kaihatsu Kenkyukai, a cross-industrial association, headed by Ikuro Noiri, president of Senoya, after an air freshener producer of Nara Prefecture came up with the idea to create a new Osaka brand product.

The association first considered creating an air freshener that smelled like takoyaki, the octopus dumplings popular in Osaka.

However, the sample fragrance was too pungent, and although the committee thought it might make for a funny novelty gift, it was decided that tourists probably would not want to use it as an air freshener.

They also thought of air fresheners that depicted common Osaka scenes and locales, such as "Middle-aged man eating pieces of pork fried on skewer in Shinsekai," but they were rejected because the fragrances were unattractive.

One of the three available fragrances is "Tenpozan Omoide no Kaori" (memory of Tenpozan). The air freshener attempts to capture the essence of a first date on the sightseeing area's Ferris wheel.

Another fragrance, "Dotonbori Atsugesho no Kaori" (heavily made-up woman in Dotonbori), captures the scent of an overly made-up middle-aged woman sitting next to you in a theater in the entertainment district.

Another, "Kitashinchi, Unaji no Kaori" (the perfumed neck of a Kitashinchi hostess), recreates the scent of a kimono-clad hostess in the Kitashinchi entertainment district.

The Dotonbori fragrance has proved to be the most popular, followed by those of Kitashinchi and Tenpozan.

The air fresheners have been purchased by everyone from students to local elderly women.

"There are many specialities in Osaka, but this may be the first to appeal to people's sense of smell," Noiri said. He hopes to create new fragrances based on other cities.

(Dec. 11, 2005)

[Faithless]

I would think any other smell other than something flowery would be rejected.

Or maybe something of the waterfront.

Or The Lanterns of Hozenji.

[yuuteya]

I think the waterfront smells much better than Dotonbori. I couldnt believe they made Dotonbori air freshner? Funny. These are meant for other Japanese, like those naive Tokyo people going to Shin Osaka, because nobody here would ever associate good smell with Dotonbori, its black sewer water from toilet. Crazy people have actually died when they jumped in there and drank the water.

The air fresheners have been purchased by everyone from students to [b]local elderly women. [b]

These locals must be the Naniwa old ladies, they always have wierd taste.

The air fresheners have been purchased by everyone from students to local elderly women.

These locals must be the Naniwa old ladies, they always have wierd taste.

[Faithless]

Well then, how about this one --

The gentle scent of taiyaki and mochii. Mmm.

[yuuteya]

yes, taiyaki has a nice smell especially when freshly made and still hot.. but i dont think mochi has much smell since its just rice, unless you burned it?