On May 15 at the "Ark Hills Rose Festival 2010" held at Roppongi Ark Hills in Tokyo, Takasago researcher Akihiro Kawaraya (Analytical Technology Laboratory) joined Dr. Masatoshi Kusuhara of the Shizuoka Cancer Center to give a workshop entitled, "Fragrances and Your Health." The workshop was attended by about 180 participants.

This year's theme was "fragrant roses." Dr. Kusuhara introduced the rose garden on the grounds of the Shizuoka Cancer Center as a "garden hospital" -- a place where cancer patients and their families could find healing. The garden has approximately 170 varieties and 1300 rose bushes. He also talked about the joint research being done with Takasago.

Mr. Kawaraya explained what fragrant substances were, how over 600 types of fragrant substances had been found in roses, and what methods were used to analyze them. He demonstrated how the aromatic odor is captured, and introduced fragrances made from the results of the analysis of those scents. He had participants do a drink test of apple and orange juice blindfolded and holding their noses so that they could not smell what they were drinking. This interesting experiment gave everyone a good experience of the senses of smell and taste. In addition to having fun with it, participants were able to understand how important fragrances really are.