In Yokohama Seasider no.173, we featured Bashamichi HariA, a wonderful acupuncture salon for women run by Ms. Ayako Fujita. Here, we interview her husband, Mr. Takeru Hamanaka, who now runs a recently opened second branch called T by HariA.
The original Acupuncture & Beauty Salon Bashamichi HariA was for women, but the new one is for men. Please share the thinking behind this.
The first location–run by my wife (the owner)–has provided health and beauty services for many women as a women-only salon. However, partly due to the lease agreement, we couldn’t easily welcome men into the same space. We felt there was strong demand for a relaxing space where men could reset their minds and bodies, and receive high-quality acupuncture treatment. Because the salon is run by me for men, they may find it easier to share specific concerns. By allowing men and women to receive separate tailored treatments, we hope to be a long-term provider in their health. We also have many clients who visit us as married couples or partners.
Could you tell us about your background–where you grew up, how that environment influenced your current perspective and values, and where you studied acupuncture?
I was born in Tokyo and grew up in a typical household. From elementary through high school, I played competitive tennis. Due to intense practice sessions, I pushed myself too hard and was constantly dealing with injuries. When I couldn’t decide on my university path, I developed an interest in injury care. A teacher recommended that I obtain an acupuncturist license, which led me to enroll at Kuretake Medical College.
Acupuncture was uncharted territory for me, but by my second year, I embraced it. After graduation, I even enrolled in the teacher training program–that is where I met my wife. In the teacher training program, the focus was primarily on Eastern medicine. However, after attending a lecture by an acupuncturist who visited from the University of Tokyo Hospital, I became fascinated by Western-style medical acupuncture. This inspired me to work at a university hospital that centered its treatments on Western medicine. First, I needed to complete a university hospital residency and hold at least a master’s degree, so after graduation, I pursued a residency at the University of Tokyo Hospital while doing coursework.
Residency at the University of Tokyo Hospital provided an environment where everything I had done up to that point was visualized through the lenses of physiology and anatomy. That allowed me to establish my current style of treatment. My performance during the two-year residency was well-received, leading to an offer from Tokyo Women’s Medical University. I began working at their affiliated hospital in April of last year.
Having achieved my goal of working at a university hospital, I eventually decided to work with my wife, which brought me here. It has been a journey with many twists and turns, but I believe those experiences are what allowed me to build my career as an acupuncturist to this point.
What kind of treatments and services do you offer at T by HariA? And could you please share your pricing (tax included)?
We offer full-body acupuncture treatments, limited to just four sessions a day. Each session is 2 hours long and costs ¥12,000. Our treatment style centers on mobility assessments to pinpoint the root cause of an issue. We then use Eastern medical practices to determine the client’s condition that day and determine an appropriate intensity of stimulation. We provide a completely tailor-made treatment that changes based on the client’s physical condition on their visit. We also offer a wide range of optional treatments, including massage, cupping, and aesthetic treatments. The most popular option is our Men’s Cosmetic Acupuncture (¥7,000). I hold qualifications related to facial anatomy that are recognized by medical societies. The technique delivers immediate results, effectively restoring a “tired face.” For those afraid of needles on the face, we can still achieve excellent benefits using our ‘contouring treatment’ (¥3,000). Body massage prices range from ¥1000 to ¥4000 depending on duration.
Do you and your wife share knowledge? How do you feel about working together, both as a married couple and as individuals running separate locations?
Because we base our treatments on opposite concepts—Eastern versus Western medicine—hearing her perspective is incredibly educational. When I come across things I don’t quite understand in Eastern medicine, I often ask her to teach me. Conversely, when explaining the physiological reactions caused by a treatment, I share my knowledge with her. In this way, we share insights without imposing our respective strengths on one another. Since it has been less than a year since I started my clinic, all I can do is give it my best. My wife’s salon, though, is so popular that it is fully booked. I respect her immensely—not just for her treatments, but also from an operational standpoint.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
There are many acupuncturists in the world, but I have built a rather unique career among them. The knowledge and techniques in my background deliver proven, tangible results. My goal is to provide treatments that allow busy professionals to relax and feel more energized. Beyond the treatment itself, I have created a space that is insulated from the stresses of daily life. I would love for people to come here to heal both their minds and bodies.
Thank you!