Shiseido's Perfume Honors Completion of Tokyo Sky Tree

Usually when I contemplate real-life construction projects, something smells (probably the frying of the few brain cells I have left)—but this time, I have a story where things smell pretty nice. I assume.

Shiseido Co. Ltd. will launch its new fragrance: Shiseido Tokyo Sky Tree Parfum on May 22, 2012 to commemorate the completion of the real Tokyo Sky Tree structure.

Limited to a mere 634 units, the fragrance is a homage to the tower's height of 634 meters. The Tokyo Sky Tree is a communications and sightseeing tower and will be, when it opens, the tallest free-standing steel structure in the world.


The perfume's scent is  based "on a floral green aroma, finishing with an elegant and Japanese modern aroma. It is a well-balanced harmonious blend that evokes a nostalgic, calm feeling while providing a refreshing and uplifting feeling that conjures hopes and wishes for the future."

That is according to a Shiseido press release. Does that mean it smells like money, the beach and sex (or better yet, having sex on the beach with money)? - Japan - It's A Wonderful Rife doubts it.

Actually, if you have a good nose, you should be able to detect: Japanese cedar, green tea, ginger, kumquat, Japanese plum, iris,  soapwort, rose, Japanese yew, frankincense, and pink pepper.

Available in a 30mL bottle for a scant ¥63,400 (~Cdn/US $800) including tax, the Shiseido Tokyo Sky Tree Parfum has a bottle stopper shaped like the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree, while the body of the bottle is a standard, if not classic, perfume bottle shape, but finished with a traditional Japanese faceting technique in a hemp leaf pattern. Hemp? This bottle be smokin'!

According to Shiseido, "the design expresses an image of people and the surrounding town, which come together centered around the Tokyo Sky Tree, shining towards the future."

It always sounds so much better when you don't know what things mean.

Regardless, each bottle is engraved with a serial number, making this exquisite product a one-of-a-kind, premium, commemorative fragrance - but probably only if you don't open it up and use it.

The outer package has an abstract design showing the steel frame of the Tokyo Sky Tree.

Advance sales are available only for customers with TOBU Department Store membership, though the perfume will be partially available at the Shiseido corner of TOBU Department Store, Tokyo Solamachi Store.

By Andrew Joseph