This may come as a surprise, but I have a Level 2 Aromatherapy Certification! Honestly, it's not particularly useful in real life, but I'm a lazy person who won't study unless there's an exam, so I decided to take it anyway. So, I'm secretly a fan of aromatherapy. When I hear the word aroma, I can't keep quiet!

So, I decided to check out the "@Aroma Store Jingumae," which opened last month in Omotesando! Even if you're wondering, "What is @Aroma?", you've probably encountered it at least once. This is because this company, with its concept of "designing spaces with aroma," produces fragrances at 1,000 locations nationwide. They create spaces using natural scents in department stores, hotels, airline lounges, and even hospitals. You've probably even taken a whiff of their scents without even realizing it.

The interior is based on a simple gray and white color scheme, creating a very simple impression. Aroma shops often seem somewhat fancy or cozy, making them seem intimidating for men, but this one fits the bill with ease. When I spoke to @Aroma's PR representative, Takeishi, he told me, "We were conscious of the @Aroma logo color scheme! It's a unisex, futuristic store." The store is lined with colorful aroma bottles. There are 100 varieties, ranging in size from 5ml for personal use to 450ml for professional use. From straightforward scents like lavender, chamomile, and peppermint to ones inspired by images like "thank you" and "relaxing beauty," each one is sure to make you want to sniff them all. Many stores require you to sniff the small tester bottles directly when trying out different scents, but this can be a little confusing. The impression you get when you smell a concentrated liquid scent is quite different from when it's wafted through the air. Like the aroma shower at the entrance, this space is equipped with a tester that releases the scent when you press a button, allowing you to experience the aroma more realistically. It's very helpful.

The "Aroma Blend Lab" space at the back of the store is also interesting. Measuring cylinders and flasks filled with aroma oils are placed here, giving it the feel of a nostalgic chemistry lab. There's also a device here that lets you enjoy aroma air, but this one's unique feature is that it allows you to blend scents. The ratio of the different scents increases depending on the number of seconds you press the button. For example, if you press the lavender button for two seconds and the orange button for one second, the air that comes out is 2 parts lavender to 1 part orange.

Here, you can create your own original aroma using 15 types of oils, so I tried it right away. I'm somehow drawn to the scent of wood, so I wanted a scent based on cypress. Takeishi-san helped me think about it! "I love bergamot! I want to add it," "I'd like it to have a stronger cypress scent," I said, constantly being selfish. They blended the aromas for me... and thanks to them, I finally created my very own original blend of oil! There's always an aroma expert on hand in the lab, so even if you're not particularly knowledgeable about scents, it's no problem. They'll work with you to give advice based on your favorite scents and image.

So, it's a place that can be enjoyed by everyone from aroma beginners to aroma enthusiasts. Not only can you pursue your own ultimate aroma, but you can also give your special someone an original oil with the message, "This is a one-of-a-kind scent I made just for you." It's sure to be a hit. My love for aromas has been rekindled, and I definitely want to visit this shop again.