Binchotan/Bamboo Charcoal: Freshen Up You Living Spaces Scent-Free!!

I've noticed that a good number of the bathrooms of the Japanese establishments that I go to (restaurants and a hair salon, NOT piano bars), have the cool-looking pieces of black bamboo.  What are they?  They're bamboo charcoal and they're there for a reason.  Bamboo charcoal does the following:

• absorb/regulate moisture
• absorb odor
• purify the air

Since I'm scent-sensitive, I'm not a fan of air freshners like Glade and Febreze.  They just mask bad odors with stronger scents...kinda like people who don't shower and wear lots of perfume/cologne.  Bamboo charcoal (and a higher-end wood charcoal called binchotan charcoal) create a scent free environment.  Bamboo charcoal and binchotan charcoal products are a little hard to find (and can be rather expensive) but I found this great website based out of Philly that carries both:  www.Rikumo.com.  Check-out (1) Chikuno Cube (made from compressed bamboo charcoal powder) which is great for refrigerators, closets and small bathrooms and (2) Sumi Charcoal (pieces of binchotan charcoal) which is great for rooms.  As an added bonus, both items can be used as zen-ish room decorations.