11 Popular Japanese Perfume Brands (The Art of Fragrance)

A beautiful scent is distinctive and captivates the senses.

In Japan, fine fragrances are especially esteemed.

Many Japanese perfume brands have become international favorites, popular with men and women across the world.

In this article, we keep you up to date with 11 Japanese perfume brands popular right now.

11 Japanese perfume brands popular right now

These 11 Japanese perfume brands have been created by some of Japan’s leading perfumers and fashion designers.

Many are influenced by the incense trade that has flourished in Japan for hundreds of years.

Learn about these popular Japanese fragrances that have become contemporary classics.

1. Kenzo 

Headquarters	Paris, France
Founded	1970
Founder	Kenzo Takada
Number of fragrances	150
URL	www.kenzo.com/uk/en/home
Social Media	www.instagram.com/kenzo/

The Kenzo fashion house was founded by the Japanese designer Kenzo Takada in the 1970s.

It is now owned by LVMH but retains its distinctive Japanese aesthetic.

Kenzo has produced over 150 fragrances including the bestselling Flower by Kenzo fragrance that has sold over 15 million bottles since it was released in 2000.

2. Sholayered 

Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Founded	2013
Founder	Sho Ishizaka
Products	Personal fragrance Home fragrance Body Care products
URL	https://sholayered.jp/
Social Media	https://www.instagram.com/sholayered_official/

Sholayered is an authentically Japanese, luxury perfume brand that is inspired by the incense-making of Japan.

It was founded by Sho Ishizaka in 2013 and has since gone from strength to strength with its range of carefully layered delicate fragrances.

The brand is minimalist and stylish, with a range of fragrances for men and women. 

3. Shiseido 

Headquarters	Chūō, Tokyo, Japan
Founded	1872
Founder	Arinobu Fukuhara
Products	Skincare products Hair care products Fragrances Cosmetics
URL	https://brand.shiseido.co.jp/
Social Media	www.instagram.com/shiseido_japan/

Shiseido is one of Japan’s oldest cosmetics companies.

It was founded by a pharmacist in 1872 and has grown to become one of the world’s leading cosmetics manufacturers.

Shiseido produces over 74 perfumes, with their first fragrance created in 1917.

Their specialty is floral perfumes that appeal to Japanese taste but are now popular globally. 

4. Keiko Mecheri

Headquarters	Los Angeles, California,
Founded	1997
Founder	Keiko Mecheri
Products	Personal fragrance Home fragrance Body Care products
URL	www.keikomecheri.com/
Social Media	www.instagram.com/keikomecheri/

Perfumer Keiko Mecheri founded her eponymous company with her husband in 1997 after they both left their jobs in tech.

The brand has gone from strength to strength, due to the nuanced home and personal fragrances they have developed.

Many of her scents are inspired by the Japanese Riviera where she was brought up. 

5. Perfume Satori

Headquarters	OURS 2F, 3-6-8 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Founded	2000
Founder	Satori Osawa
Products	Perfume
URL	parfum-satori.com
Social Media	www.instagram.com/parfumsatori_official/?hl=en

Perfume Satori is the perfume atelier of Satori Osawa from Tokyo.

She is a French-trained perfumer but draws from a deep knowledge of Japanese botanicals which she has studied since childhood.

Inspiration for her classically Japanese fragrances include incense, the tea ceremony, and flower arranging.

Her rare and exclusive fragrances can cost as much as $800!

6. Issey Miyake 

Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Founded	1970
Founder	Issey Miyake
Products	FashionFragrance
URL	https://www.isseymiyakeparfums.com/
Social Media	www.instagram.com/isseymiyakeparfums

Issey Miyake is a legendary Japanese fashion designer, known for his exquisitely pleated clothing and iconic fragrances.

His L’eau d’Issey has eclipsed his fashion in prominence and popularity. 

The Issey Miyake fragrances for men and women were created by the perfumer Jacques Cavallier and are produced by Shiseido.

There are numerous limited-edition fragrances that are created in collaboration with a range of guest perfumers.

7. DI SER

Headquarters	Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Founded	1999
Founder	Yasuyuki Shinohara
Products	Natural pharmacy Organic cosmetics Fragrances Health foods
URL	www.diser-parfum.com
Social Media	www.instagram.com/diser.essentia

DI SER  is an ultra-niche Japanese perfume company that specializes in fragrances made from natural fragrances.

The company also has a natural pharmacy called Essentia Ltd which sells herbal medicines. 

All ingredients in DI SER fragrances have been gathered in Japan.

Essential oils are carefully blended to create unique fragrances that are beautifully bottled on the island of Hokkaido.

The scents, costing almost $1000, are available internationally from specialist retailers. 

8. Miya Shinma

Headquarters	320, rue Saint-Honoré 75001 Paris
Founded	1999
Founder	Miya Shinma
Products	Perfume Perfumed card Perfumed pearls Incense Perfumed fans
URL	en.miyashinma.fr/
Social Media	www.instagram.com/miyashinma/

Miya Shinma is a Japanese perfumer who set up her eponymous fragrance atelier in Paris in 1999.

Her distinctively Japanese fragrances are inspired by her childhood in Shizuoka and her studies in Kyoto.

She divides her time between France and Japan and has developed unique fragranced products like incense, pearls, and elaborate fans.

9. Hanae Mori

Headquarters	Paris, France
Founded	1951
Founder	Hanae Mori
Products	Personal fragrance
URL	hanaemoriparfums.com/
Social Media	www.instagram.com/hanaemoriparfums/

Hanae Mori was one of Japan’s most famous female couturiers dressing famous women like Empress Masako and Grace Kelly.

She became internationally acclaimed in the 1970, receiving numerous honors from the Japanese government.

Mori’s classic perfumes were launched in the 1990s, and have continued to be popular with discerning buyers. 

10. Annayake

Headquarters	Paris, France
Founded	2022
Founder	Suzuki
Products	Skincare  Body care Personal fragrance
URL	annayake.com/en/
Social Media	www.instagram.com/annayake.official/?hl=en

Annayake is a Japanese cosmetics company that was founded when a pharmacist created a beauty cream for his wife.

It is now well known for its fragrances and collaborations with leading french perfumers.

Launched in 2000, there are now more than 40 fragrances to choose from.

11. CANMAKE

Headquarters	Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Founded	1985
Founder	IDA Laboratories
Products	Cosmetics Makeup tools Perfume
URL	www.canmake.com
Social Media	www.instagram.com/canmaketokyo

CANMAKE is a leading Japanese drugstore cosmetics company.

It was founded by IDA Laboratories in 1985 and has grown to become  a popular brand across Asia. 

CANMAKE perfumes are pleasant and affordable. They have an extremely wide appeal, though they are not premium.

Rather than eau de parfum or eau de toilette, CANMAKE produces fragrance water that is cheaper but less lasting fragrance. 

Rounding Up

These gorgeous Japanese fragrances are perfect for a special fragrance or signature scent. Many are classics, but all are popular right now.

They are perfect for the collection of any perfume lover who wants to experience the beauty and culture of Japan through fragrance. 

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