Japanese Scent: Notes from the Forest

Yaso

Based in Chino City, at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Nagano Prefecture, there’s a small project called Yaso.

Guided by the idea of living gently with the forest, Yaso transforms trees from thinning and pruning into tea, incense, essential oils, and small goods for the home, creating a quiet cycle that gives back to nature.

Japan’s forests have long supported life and culture, yet modern life has drawn people away from them. Yaso seeks to reconnect people and forests, renewing appreciation for their beauty and value so they may thrive for generations to come.

Behind it all is Mokuyousha Co., Ltd., a team of arborists devoted to sustainable tree care and a way of life where people and trees coexist - a continuing conversation that reminds us we live among forests, not apart from them.

Yaso Fragrances, two expressions of the forest:

Jumoku (Forest)
A quiet scent that recalls the strength of Japanese trees. Red pine, Japanese cypress, and hinoki blend into a mellow fragrance that feels like standing among the treesgrounded, calm, and still.

Nobana (Wildflower)
The powerful yet fleeting scent of wildflowers beneath the red pine. A mix of red pine, marjoram, and hyssop - warm, resinous, and touched with the scent of wild herbs.

Both made with 100% natural ingredients, free from synthetic fragrances, colourings, or mineral oils.

Cul de Sac

In northern Japan, the Aomori Hiba grows slowly through long winters, its wood rich in fragrance and naturally resistant to decay. Once used in temples and castles, it’s prized for its calm, enduring scent.

Cul de Sac gives new life to this wood - turning what was once unused into simple, sustainable products for everyday living. Each piece carries the quiet strength of the forest, a reminder of nature’s patience and permanence.

A new selection from Cul de Sac will be introduced soon, continuing their quiet dialogue between craft and forest.

Also available are other scents from the forest, each reflecting the calm and natural beauty of Japan’s woodlands.