Work, housework, time for others. Before you know it, the day is over and you can't remember taking a deep breath for yourself. Are you living such a life? "Alolima," an aroma salon from Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, wants to deliver "a moment of relief" that gently permeates such days. Warm it up and enjoy the scent. That's all there is to it, a tea compress called "Oncha Kairo."
A prayer of "joining hands" embedded in the brand name
The name "Alolima" comes from Hawaiian. It is said to be a name that evokes the image of hands joined together, born from the combination of the two words "alo" and "lima." There is a prayer in the gesture of joining hands. There is gratitude. A feeling of cherishing the other person quietly resides there. Through treatments and through scents, we want to deliver time to be close to the mind and body – such a wish breathes behind the brand name.
Based on Lomi Lomi learned in Hawaii
Alolima began as a salon centered on aroma treatments. The representative, who originally loved receiving massages and was drawn to the feeling of relaxation that spread to her mind with each treatment, has experienced various treatments while working at salons and acquiring qualifications. However, at the core of it all is Lomi Lomi, which she learned in Hawaii. Aromatherapy, French facial treatments, Indian Ayurveda, medicinal cuisine – she combines the things she has encountered in her own way and adjusts them according to the body's condition on that day. She wants to deliver a time to relax not only the body but also the mind, by layering scents with her unique techniques. It was with this desire that the aroma salon began.
In the city of Tokorozawa
Alolima is based in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. It's a convenient location close to the city center, yet it retains a certain warmth like a hometown and a sense of nature. The convenience of the city and the warmth of community ties and daily life coexist naturally. The surrounding area offers an environment where people can enjoy Sayama tea, and the tea culture is quietly rooted in daily life. Alolima also aims to be a place where people can easily drop by and relax.
Another scent born from a warming workshop
Oncha Kairo (Black Tea) for Abdomen/Lower Back
The origin of Oncha Kairo was a "warming compress" workshop that used herbs, which had been held for some time. As it gained popularity, the desire arose not only to warm the body but also to provide a relaxing time enjoying the scent.
It was then, through a local event, that she met a local embroidery shop and Furuyanen, a Sayama tea specialist. After being able to procure tea leaves from Furuyanen, the creation of a product featuring the scent of tea began. To this, cypress, which gently accompanies the scent of tea, and the Shiba Inu embroidery, which is also the logo of Alolima, were added. One by one, the encounters with the local community crystallized into the form of Oncha Kairo.
Another thought for the land, encapsulated in cypress
The cypress that adorns the Oncha Kairo is not from Tokorozawa. It is a material connected to Gifu, the hometown of the representative's father. As a child, she would visit Gifu with her father every summer vacation. Even now, she says her fondness for the land remains unchanged, as she still goes camping to visit her father's and grandparents' graves. That's why cypress was chosen, not as a "local material," but as a piece that gently accompanies the tea, as a scent connecting to an irreplaceable land for her.
The same sentiment runs through the name "Oncha Kairo." The desire is for it to directly convey that it is a product where one can enjoy the scent and warmth of tea. Entrusting a distinctly Japanese "relaxing time" to the tea leaves inherited from Furuyanen of Sayama tea.
Each one is finished by hand.
Oncha Kairo Houjicha (for neck and shoulders)
Oncha Kairo is a product that Alolima plans and creates herself. Preparing materials, checking scents, blending, sewing, tagging – after each process is completed, the next manual step awaits.
The Furuyaen provides tea leaves with varying degrees of roasting strength specifically for Oncha Kairo, as well as several types of tea with different characteristics, such as leaves and stems. The scent changes depending on the roasting strength and the difference between leaves and stems. That's why the process of adjusting the combination and blend of scents while facing each condition is said to be the most nerve-wracking moment.
The local embroidery shop creates tags with the Shiba Inu embroidery, and the representative herself fills bags sewn by a friend with tea and cypress in carefully selected scents. Finally, the bags are sewn, and the embroidered tags are attached, completing one product. Planning, scent adjustment, material blending, and overall finish checks are all handled by Alolima herself. Her friend is entrusted with part of the production, such as bag making and sewing. Through a division of labor and accumulated handiwork, a single Oncha Kairo is born.
A time to relax with scent while warming up
The value that Alolima most imbued in this product can be summarized in one phrase: "A time to relax with scent while warming up." Even if it's just for 5 minutes, enjoy a comfortable time for yourself. Apply the warmed Oncha Kairo to your body and slowly take a deep breath while enjoying the scent of tea and cypress. She wants to deliver such a small moment of rest.
Place it on your forehead and take a break while enjoying the scent.
The usage is very simple. Just warm it in a microwave oven or similar, and gently apply it to the desired area, such as your shoulders, abdomen, or lower back. While feeling the warmth, focus on the scent of tea and cypress, and take a deep breath. If you want to use it for your eyes, you can also enjoy it by placing it in a sealed bag like a Ziploc and chilling it in the refrigerator. Although the scent will be slightly milder when chilled, the refreshing coolness offers a new option when you want to refresh your mood.
Throughout the year, for everyday life
The Oncha Kairo is not just for the cold season. It is an item that we want you to use in your daily life throughout the year. During work or housework. In the moments before sleep. When you want to change your mood. It is recommended for all situations where you want to care for yourself. Because you can enjoy the distinctly Japanese scent of tea, it is also chosen as a souvenir for visitors to Japan and as a gift for those who love Japanese culture.
For those who work hard and do housework, and tend to put themselves last. For those who love scents, Japanese tea, and Japanese culture. Alolima hopes that through Oncha Kairo, people can enjoy their own personal time.
Voices from satisfied customers
Customers who have used the product have reportedly praised its "pleasant scent" and "comforting warmth." Comments include, "I felt like I fell asleep right away when I used it before bed," and "When I warmed it up when my lower back was bothering me, it felt relieved." While these are individual experiences, they suggest that Oncha Kairo is gently integrating into daily life. The time spent relaxing with a scent chosen for oneself – that might be one of the reasons for its continued support. Some customers even say they loved it so much after trying it themselves that they chose it as a gift for their loved ones.
Future Goals
Alolima aims to increase its lineup of products that combine Japanese scents, materials, and craftsmanship. While continuing to offer aroma workshops and seasonal scent proposals, they will also provide unique healing treatments based on their past experience. Regarding the Oncha Kairo, they intend to expand the network of collaborators while valuing the division of roles with their current friends, in order to make it accessible to more people.
Someday, they quietly share the wish that people overseas will also come to know the comforting Japanese elements, such as Japanese tea, hinoki cypress, and handicrafts, along with their scents.
To our readers
Oncha Kairo Gift Set (Set of 3, with Tenugui Eco Bag)
When you hold an Oncha Kairo, please not only feel the warmth but also pay attention to the scent. I would be delighted if you could gently incorporate the habit of resting while enjoying the scent into your daily life, regardless of the season. Take a deep breath while savoring the aroma of tea and cypress, and surrender yourself to the warmth and gentle weight. Just a little is fine. Take a moment for yourself to pause.
