(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you have been well. After several days of rain, the weather has finally cleared, and here in the foothills of Mt. Akagi, the cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all at once.
Magnolias bloomed a little earlier, and daffodils are still at their peak, gently bringing us news of spring.

As the weather warms, one of our most popular items is our “Natural Insect Repellent Incense Stick.”
With warmer days, insects start to appear too—though not everyone welcomes them. This incense stick is about 4 mm thick and has a fresh, clean scent similar to lemongrass. Its refreshing scent helps reduce the activity of mosquitoes and small flies. It is made primarily from neem, which is said to be safe for humans and animals even with repeated use, and contains no fragrance additives, chemicals, or colorants.

Last year, we had to suspend sales of our “Insect Repellent Incense Coil” due to various circumstances, but we are pleased to announce that it will be available again this year.
Each spiral burns for about two and a half hours, making it perfect for relaxing on a balcony or deck.
Due to increased material costs, the price will be raised slightly: JPY 1,300 → JPY 1,400 (excluding tax). We sincerely apologize for this adjustment. There will be no changes to the packaging or specifications. Thank you for your understanding.

Since March, as part of our company initiative to create a more “fragrant” Instagram presence, we have started adding short traditional-style poems (tanka) to our posts.

I write them by referring to classics such as the Manyoshu, (Japan’s oldest anthology of poetry, compiled in the 8th century) learning as we go (the poem in the above photo is a good example!).
Recently, I feel I’ve finally gotten a bit used to it, and I’m able to express my own feelings more naturally.
It seems I’ve found myself with yet another hobby—or task! (laugh)

Now, a notice regarding our schedule for Golden Week starting from the end of April:
(Golden Week is a series of national holidays in Japan, typically from late April to early May, when many businesses close and people travel.)

We will be closed on April 29 (national holiday), and open on Saturday, May 2.
The final shipment before the holiday will be on May 2, and we kindly ask that orders be placed by Friday, May 1.
We will then be closed for the following week and resume normal operations from May 11.

The new fiscal year has begun before we know it.
We wish you all happiness in the months ahead.
And if you have the chance, please enjoy the cherry blossoms while they are in full bloom.