Hello, everyone! This is Miyanaga from GP here. 

In the fall of last year, an aroma distillation event was held in Nara Prefecture by a mobile distillation lab. The event was fittingly named “Experience the Touch and the Sensation of the Umbrella Pine’s Fragrance.” It’s a wonderfully soothing title. 

So, today, I’d like to introduce this fantastic event where fragrance took center stage.

An aroma distillation event by a mobile distillation lab

Last year, on Saturday, November 23, and Sunday, November 24, the “Experience the Touch and the Sensation of the Umbrella Pine’s Fragrance” event was held at KITO FOREST MARKET SHIMOICHI in Shimoichi, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture.

This event presented a distillation demonstration using a truck equipped with a distillation apparatus, accompanied by workshops and art, creating a fully immersive fragrance-themed experience. Held under a bright blue sky, the event provided a stress-free and refreshing experience amidst plentiful nature, making it a lively and enjoyable occasion.

Hosted by the fragrance-specializing brand, @aroma

The event was organized by @aroma Inc., a company specializing in aroma space design and fragrance branding. @aroma provides comprehensive aroma-related services, from developing aroma products to creating fragrance-enhanced spaces. They have introduced natural aroma-based sensory experiences in over 6,000 locations worldwide—including hotels, shops, and commercial facilities.

With their expertise, @aroma designs and manufactures home-use aroma diffusers and 100% natural essential oil blends. They also operate direct-to-retail stores and organize various events using their mobile distillation unit, the “Mobile Aroma Lab.” No one can deny that this company is full of energy and innovation.

One highlight was the Mobile Aroma Lab, which made an appearance at this event. However, the mobile distillation unit isn’t just about delivering pleasant scents to people across Japan! Its purpose goes beyond that—it aims to showcase the unique appeal of plants used as essential oil ingredients, utilize unused natural resources, and travel to production areas across Japan to distill essential oils on-site. In other words, it serves an unexpected yet highly sustainable purpose!

So far, distillations have been carried out with yuzu and Naoshichi citrus from Kochi Prefecture, umbrella pine from Nara Prefecture, Mikkabi green mandarin from Shizuoka Prefecture, and Hinoki cypress from Hinohara Village in Tokyo. These remarkable distillations are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

What is the “Experience the Touch and the Sensation of the Umbrella Pine’s Fragrance” event?

Hosted by @aroma, the “Experience the Touch and the Sensation of the Umbrella Pine’s Fragrance” event had unique features that could only be experienced at the venue. 

A renovated abandoned school as the venue

First of all, the venue itself was extraordinary!

KITO FOREST MARKET SHIMOICHI in Shimoichi, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, is a multipurpose facility that opened in July, 2024, after being renovated from an abandoned elementary school. Surrounded by stunning nature, the facility was designed to maximize the natural appeal of Shimoichi, serving as a hub for regional revitalization and attracting new residents and visitors.

The event aimed to let visitors experience the beauty and fragrance of locally-grown umbrella pine. Attendees participated in plucking umbrella pine leaves, watching a distillation demonstration, and creating their own aroma mist using distilled water. The idea was to connect local plants with the people of the community in an engaging and meaningful way.

A distillation demonstration featuring a truck-mounted distiller

At the heart of the event was the Mobile Aroma Lab, a distillation unit mounted on a truck. Taking place in a nature-rich environment, the demonstration allowed attendees to experience the fresh scent of essential oils, while appreciating the unique characteristics of each plant.

Beyond observing the full distillation process up close, visitors were also treated to free aromatic distillation water, making the experience even more memorable.

Two interactive workshops

In addition to the demonstration, the event featured two hands-on workshops.

One of them was the “Aroma Mist Making” workshop, where participants blended essential oils with umbrella pine distillation water to create their own original aroma mist.

Another was the “Fragrance × Color: Scented Art Painting,” where attendees used scented acrylic paints to create ornaments. The completed ornaments were even displayed on the Christmas tree at KITO’s first-floor area.

Conclusion

A fragrance-centered event held under the open sky, and surrounded by nature during a pleasant season—just imagining it feels refreshing!

With a clear theme, a well-chosen venue, and perfectly-curated content, this event provided a deeply satisfying experience for attendees. By turning a simple weekend into a unique, immersive event, it created memories that visitors would cherish for a long time to come. If this sounded intriguing, be sure to stay updated on @aroma’s upcoming events! Now then, until next time!