In Japan, wearing very strong fragrances in crowded public spaces can be frowned upon for the same underlying reason as loud behaviour: avoiding discomfort or inconvenience to others in shared environments.
Japan has a cultural emphasis on subtlety and low impact in public life. On packed trains, buses, elevators, and offices, people are physically very close together for long periods of time. Because of that, anything overly noticeable — loud voices, strong perfume, overpowering deodorant, aggressive phone conversations — can be viewed as intrusive.
On commuter trains especially, passengers may be standing shoulder-to-shoulder. A strong cologne or heavily scented body spray that might seem normal elsewhere can become overwhelming in a confined carriage.
There’s also a broader aesthetic preference in Japan toward moderation and “cleanliness without announcement.” Many Japanese personal care products tend to have lighter scents, neutral fragrances, or no fragrance at all.
The ideal is often to appear fresh and clean without other people strongly noticing your scent. This becomes even more important because many people commute daily for long durations,
trains are often crowded, and Japanese society tends to place high value on maintaining comfortable shared spaces.
In recent years, the term “スメハラ” (“sumehara,” short for “smell harassment”) has even become part of workplace discussions in Japan. It refers to situations where strong odours — including excessive perfume, cigarette smell, or body odour — negatively affect people around you.
That doesn’t mean nobody in Japan wears fragrance. Plenty of people do. The difference is usually intensity. Subtle scents are generally acceptable; overpowering fragrances in enclosed public spaces are what tend to draw negative reactions.
For travellers, the easiest guideline is:
If people can smell your cologne from several feet away, it’s probably too strong for Japanese public transit.
In crowded trains or buses, less is almost always better.
It’s another example of how public etiquette in Japan often centers on being mindful of the sensory experience of strangers sharing the same space.
Avoid Strongly Scented Products When Travelling with Laurus Travel
When travelling with a group, please be considerate of fellow travellers by avoiding strongly scented personal-care products, including perfume, cologne, deodorant, aftershave, shampoo and body wash.
On tour, we often spend several hours together in enclosed spaces such as coaches, trains, restaurants and other venues. A fragrance that seems mild or pleasant to you may be quite strong to someone sitting nearby. Some people are particularly sensitive to fragrances and may experience headaches, nausea, respiratory irritation or other discomfort.
This does not mean you should avoid deodorant or personal-care products. Quite the opposite! We simply ask that you choose unscented or lightly scented products whenever possible and refrain from wearing perfume or cologne while travelling with the group.
A little consideration goes a long way when we are sharing close quarters day after day. Your fellow travellers will appreciate it.
