Yakushima is a circular island located 60 kilometers off Cape Sata in Kagoshima Prefecture. Mount Miyanoura, Kyushu's highest peak, rises from the island's center, and the surrounding mountains are known as the "Alps of the Sea." Water vapor from the ocean hitting these mountains brings abundant rain to the island, creating a lush forest with plants ranging from the subarctic to the subtropical. Yakushima's forests, a World Heritage Site, are rich in nature and are home to Yakusugi cedars, including Jomon cedars, some thousands of years old. As the southernmost cedar species on this island, the cedars' lifespan is orders of magnitude longer than in other regions. Because the island's granite rocks make it difficult for plants to grow, Yakushima cedars grow slowly, resulting in higher concentrations of resin and aromatic compounds than cedars grown in other regions. WAZUKA, a fragrance brand specializing in "sleep," was born from the vitality and mystical power of Yakushima's cedars. Based on natural ingredients extracted from local cedar trees approximately 50 years old*, the five products offer a subtle scent of Yakushima forests: the essential oil "Yakushima Local Cedar Trunk Fragrance" (8ml, ¥6,350), the reed diffuser "Sleeping Island Fragrance" (75ml, ¥4,300), the "Good Night Mist" (60ml, ¥3,200), and the "Good Night Beauty Set" (4,900 yen), a combination of balm and bath salts.

The aromatic compounds in cedar are known to have a calming effect on the autonomic nervous system, but the local cedar used in "WAZUKA" contains approximately 20 times the aromatic compounds of regular cedar. It also contains 20 times the aromatic compound cedar, which promotes quality sleep. Simply infusing the scent of "WAZUKA" into your room with a spray or oil is said to lead to a more relaxed and comfortable sleep than usual. In addition to its relaxing effects, experiments conducted with related research institutes have demonstrated its powerful insect repellent properties. In particular, WAZUKA's essential oils contain many ingredients that suppress indoor dust mites. Experiments using the essential oils have shown that dust mites avoid the oil and become less active. It's wonderful to be able to shut out dust mites, which can cause severe allergies and hay fever, with a natural forest scent. The "Good Night Mist" (60ml, ¥3,200) is particularly versatile and can be used on everything from bedding to sofas. It's recommended for women who suffer from insomnia and allergies, as well as men who dislike fragrances and families with small children. Yakushima, a World Heritage Site, faces the problem of deforestation due to the lack of progress in thinning the artificial forests planted after the war. WAZUKA is expected to address Japan's forestry challenges by developing artificial forests and utilizing thinned wood. This brand embodies a strong policy, encapsulated in its subtle fragrance, of connecting people with forests and preserving forests for the future.

(*) Yakusugi refers to cedar trees that are approximately 50 years old and were planted in large numbers after the war. By the way, Yakusugi refers to cedar trees that are over 1,000 years old.