Nose Day (Hana no Hi)

What is Nose Day?

August 7th is "Nose Day" (Hana no Hi) in Japan. It was established in 1961 by the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan (now the Japan Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Head and Neck Surgery Society). The date comes from a wordplay where "ha" (8) and "na" (7) combine to sound like "hana" (nose). The day aims to raise awareness about the early detection and treatment of nasal conditions, while also encouraging people to reflect on how the nose's functions—breathing and smell—are directly tied to maintaining life and quality of life (QOL).

Historical facts about protecting the "gateway to the senses"

Protecting nasal health means maintaining a highly sophisticated sensor that humans developed over the course of evolution.

• The development of public health and otolaryngology: In the 1960s, Japan was in the midst of rapid economic growth, and the number of rhinitis patients was increasing due to air pollution. The establishment of Nose Day during this period marked a historic turning point in raising public health awareness.
• Re-emphasizing the importance of nasal breathing: In recent years, the dry mouth and infection risks associated with mouth breathing have drawn attention. Through Nose Day activities, the value of nasal breathing—which humidifies, warms, and filters air like a "natural air purifier"—has been promoted over the years.

Scientific facts about smell and the brain's emotional centers

The nose is not just a respiratory organ—it's the only sensory organ that delivers information directly to the deep parts of the brain.

• Reaching instinct in "0.2 seconds": Unlike sight and hearing, smell information bypasses the neocortex (the seat of conscious thought) and goes directly to the limbic system (including the hippocampus and amygdala), which governs instinct and memory. This is the logical, brain-based reason why a scent can instantly trigger memories and emotions from the past.
• The nose handles 80% of taste: About 80% of what we perceive as "flavor" actually comes from aromas that travel up through the back of the nose. The reason food loses its taste when your nose is blocked is that the smell receptors in the nose provide far more information than the taste buds on the tongue.

Interesting facts about the nose

• An amazing "natural filter": Inside the nasal cavity, fine hairs and mucous membranes filter viruses and particles out of the thousands of liters of air we inhale each day. The nose also has an advanced climate-control function, humidifying dry air to over 90% humidity before it reaches the lungs.
• The left and right nostrils take turns: In most people, the right and left nostrils alternately expand and contract every few hours, switching which one is the primary airway. This is called the "nasal cycle," a sensible biological mechanism that allows one side's mucous membrane to rest.
• Distinguishing over a trillion smells: It was once believed humans could distinguish only about 10,000 different smells, but recent research suggests humans may have the potential to identify over a trillion distinct odors.
• The "Proust phenomenon": The phenomenon where a particular smell triggers a memory occurs because the olfactory nerve sits right next to the hippocampus, the brain's memory storage center. This is why scent-based approaches are gaining attention for dementia prevention and mental health care.
• Nose shape and climate adaptation: Populations living in cold regions tend to have evolved longer, narrower noses to warm cold air, while those in warm regions tend to have wider noses that release moisture more easily—an example of environmental adaptation visible in nose shape.

Ideas for spending Nose Day

• On August 7th (Nose Day), make a conscious effort to practice "nasal breathing." Nasal breathing helps cool the brain and regulate the autonomic nervous system, which can calm irritability from fatigue accumulated over the year so far.
• Incorporate a favorite "scent" into your daily life. A scent you love can relax the amygdala and suppress stress hormones—a great way to refresh your brain for the second half of the year.
• Pay attention to "flavor" while eating. Try pinching your nose while eating, then releasing it. This lets you experience just how much smell contributes to "deliciousness" and refines your sense of taste.
• If you have nasal issues, don't hesitate to see a doctor. Chronic nasal congestion reduces oxygen supply to the brain and can cause difficulty concentrating—maintaining your "sensor" is a smart move.

The rich scents that color the world awaken vivid memories and emotions in your brain, and the clear breath that comes from balance grants you the sure intuition to see tomorrow vividly

August 7th is a day to give thanks to the nose—our frontline for sensing the world. The mysterious power of smell, which speaks directly to the heart in just 0.2 seconds, is connected to the rich memories of the life you've lived. Have you lost the time to notice the scent of flowers or the changing of the seasons amid months of being swept up in information overload? Today, pause for a moment and take a deep, clean breath through your nose. As the feeling of air passing through your nostrils awakens your brain and sharpens your dormant senses, you'll find energy welling up from within—energy to move through the new season more richly and with the clearest inspiration. Let's enjoy a wonderful summer with refreshed senses.