Can We Preserve the Smell of a Place? Digital Technology Opens a New Window into Cultural Heritage
From Japan to Germany, researchers are exploring how smartphones could make the invisible olfactory identity of landscapes visible, connecting scents with history, tourism and human memory.
Every place has its own smell. The sea breeze of a remote island, the vegetation of a coastal landscape or the familiar scents of a historic village can evoke memories and shape how we experience our surroundings. Yet, unlike photographs, architecture or historical documents, this part of our cultural heritage is rarely recorded or communicated.
At Digital Olfaction Society 2026, taking place in Tokyo on December 9–10, Yoko Iwasaki from Kyoto-saga Art College, Japan, will present an innovative approach to this challenge: using digital technology to visualize the invisible layers of smell that define a place.
Her research, conducted with Makiko Obuchi, Kaori Nishiwaki, Howen Chen and Thanh Thao Dang from Tongullman Inc., explores prototype smartphone applications designed around two islands: Minamidaito in Japan and Hiddensee in Germany.
The concept combines smell mapping, geolocation, augmented reality, local history and personal memories. Rather than attempting to reproduce odors artificially, the proposed platform would allow visitors to discover how smells relate to landscapes, seasons, environmental conditions and cultural identity.
Imagine exploring an island through your smartphone and discovering not only what you can see, but also the scents historically associated with its environment, and how those scents connect to the memories of people who lived there.
The applications are currently prototypes developed using Figma to simulate augmented-reality experiences. Their potential for real-world tourism and visitor engagement remains to be evaluated.
This work raises an intriguing question for the future of digital olfaction: Could technology help preserve the sensory identity of places before it disappears?
Yoko Iwasaki will share this research at Digital Olfaction Society 2026 in Tokyo, where scientists, engineers and innovators will discuss new ways to capture, interpret and communicate information about smells.
Digital Olfaction Society 2026 | December 9–10 | Tokyo, Japan
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