Ep 3. Deodorant

James May continues his exploration of the fascinating cultural landscape of Japan in season 1 episode 3 of "James May: Our Man in Japan." This episode titled "Deodorant" takes James to Osaka, where he discovers the Japanese approach to personal hygiene.

As soon as James lands in Osaka, he is struck by the distinctive smell of the city. Amid the various scents floating in the air, James learns that deodorant - or the lack thereof - is a significant factor in the Japanese culture. In Japan, deodorant is not considered an essential personal hygiene item like it is in many other countries. Instead, the culture places great emphasis on natural odors and individual body fragrances.

James decides to investigate this further and meets with a group of Japanese women who discuss their experiences with deodorant. They explain that the Japanese culture values individuality, and deodorant use can hide natural smells, which can prevent others from getting to know someone's true character. Japanese women often opt for perfume to highlight their individuality and add a pleasant scent rather than cover-up odors.

James delves deeper into the deodorant industry and discovers the peculiar products offered in Japan. He visits a deodorant shop where he learns about the different types of deodorants made from natural ingredients such as yuzu, wasabi, and sake lees. These unique scents reflect traditional Japanese flavors and aromas and leave people smelling like their favorite bowl of noodle soup or sushi dish. James tries some of the products, and their effectiveness impresses him.

Next, James visits a sumo wrestling training school, where he observes the sumo wrestlers and learns about their relationship with deodorant. Wrestlers do not use deodorants because they want to have a natural body odor that will intimidate their opponents. James tries out the sumo wrestling techniques with experts and learns the importance of keeping one's balance and posture.

As James explores Osaka, he discovers that as well as its distinctive smell, the city has many other unique cultural signatures. The place is known for street foods, and James samples some of the local delicacies like takoyaki and kushikatsu. Being in Japan, James cannot escape the fascination with Robo Honke, the restaurant that is staffed entirely by robots. James is amazed by the level of technological advancement that is evident in Osaka.

At the end of the episode, James reflects on his discoveries about the culture of deodorant in Japan. He finds it admirable that Japan embraces body odor and individuality, rather than conforming to Western norms of showering, deodorizing, and perfuming. James realizes that the cultural obsession with personal hygiene differs from country to country, and it is essential to embrace and respect such distinct cultural practices.

Overall, James May Our Man in Japan season 1 episode 3, "Deodorant," is an intriguing exploration of Japanese culture and personal hygiene while highlighting the uniqueness of Japanese traditions. James May's travels throughout Japan and his insights provide a window into the rich cultural landscape of the country.