Seitai Salon KoShuKa, Nagoya

Kenta Yamanaka

A body that feels good every day. One-on-one and unhurried, in a salon named after the word for cat.

Language: Email in EnglishWrite to the salon in English.
English is difficult at the salon. Bring a translation app.Use what Japanese you can, too.
Salon website in Japanese only
The work: Loosening muscles and gently adjusting joints, from the head to the tips of the hands and feet.
People often come for: Stiff neck and shoulders, a sore lower back, and tiredness that won’t lift.
Background: Began this work at 29. Has attended Koto’s study groups since 2019, and opened KoShuKa at 40.
Getting there: 2 minutes’ walk from Yobitsugi Station on the Meitetsu Line, or 8 from Myoon-dori Station on the subway. One parking space.
Hours: Every day 10:00–20:30, last entry 19:00. Irregular days off.
Fees: Listed on the salon website, in Japanese ↗
Good to talk about: Cats. Also daytime drinks, quiet art museums and good bakeries.
A first session: About 75 minutes, ¥8,500. Cash only.
Booking: By email only, directly with the salon
Find the salon: Instagram ↗Google Maps ↗Website, in Japanese ↗

KoShuKa means cat.

While talking over names with his wife, Kenta looked up the word for cat in other languages. In Russian and other Eastern European languages, it came up as koshka. The salon has carried the name ever since.

His two cats, Chabi and Gaku, saw him through the lowest point of his life. He looked after them to the very end, and he still calls that one of the things he’s gladdest of.

He came to this work at 29, after other jobs. At 40 he opened KoShuKa on 6 June 2024, a date he picked because it was easy to remember.

He loves spotting a stray cat on a walk, a drink in broad daylight, sitting on a sofa in the Nagoya City Art Museum on a quiet weekday, and putting his face into a bag of fresh bread.

Kenta Yamanaka’s hands on a client’s calf — At work at KoShuKa.

“Those two cats saved me at my lowest point. I’m so glad I could look after them to the end.”

On Chabi and Gaku

“I want this to be somewhere you can keep coming back to, without strain.”

On the salon

“It was scary. It’s still scary.”

On opening his own place, with a laugh

Why Tadahiro Koto recommends Kenta

He says openly that he wants to live like a cat.

There’s something relaxed and soft about him, but there is a firm core inside. He came from another line of work, and his road hasn’t been smooth. Even so, he has never stopped.

He used to come to Tokyo every month for my study group, and now learns in the Osaka class. He hasn’t missed once since 2019. He always sits in the front row and takes in every word.

He loves cats, so if you do too, you’re sure to have a good time.

Who is Tadahiro Koto?

Getting to the salon.

CENT FORCE YOBITSUGI South 205, 1-2-29 Yobitsugi, Minami-ku, Nagoya, Aichi

For taxis and map apps

愛知県名古屋市南区呼続1-2-29 CENT FORCE YOBITSUGI 南棟205号

Open in Google Maps ↗

Kenta Yamanaka’s hands at work — His hands at work.

Book by email, directly with the salon.

Please email rather than phone. It gives everyone time to get the details right.

Email the salon with the details listed here.
Kenta checks the dates.
The salon replies to you.

Your email can be in English. Your session may not be. English is difficult at this salon, so please bring a translation app and use what Japanese you can.

See all six sensei

What to put in your email

Your nameThe name you would like to be called.
Living in Japan, or visitingIf you are visiting, say where you are coming from.
Where you will beYour neighborhood, hotel area or nearest station.
Dates and timesGive up to three options, so there is room to find an opening.
What you would like help withA sentence or two is plenty.
Anything they should know firstFor example, a recent injury, surgery or pregnancy.
Your languageSay how much Japanese you speak, and whether you can use a translation app at the salon.

Start your email

Send it to yamanaka@koshuka.style

See an example

Subject: Seitai session request / 施術のご相談

Dear Kawada-sensei,

I found you on Solechika and would like to ask about a seitai session.

Name / お名前: Sam Lee
Living in Japan, or visiting / 在住・旅行: Visiting from Canada
Where I will be / 滞在場所: Near Shinjuku Station, Tokyo
Dates and times, up to three options / 希望日時（3つまで）: 12 March after 14:00, 13 March morning, 14 March any time
What I would like help with / ご相談内容: Stiff shoulders and a sore lower back
Anything you should know first / 事前に伝えたいこと: Nothing in particular
My language / 言語（日本語の程度、翻訳アプリの有無）: English only. I can use a translation app.

Your email goes straight to the salon, and the salon replies to you. Short, simple sentences help, because replies may be written with a translation tool. Please email rather than phone.