Kazuko Senzu, Kyoto Prefecture/Kyoto City
“HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Thermal Spring SPA” Chief Therapist

Kazuko Sendo Born in 1961 in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. The 1970 Osaka World Expo sparked an interest in overseas travel, and in 1998 he enrolled in the Australasian College of Natural Therapies in Australia. She studied beauty and aromatherapy and moved to England in 2000. Obtained international qualifications in aromatherapy and reflexology at Raworth International College of Natural. In 2005, moved to Thailand and became a holistic consultant at Six Senses SPA. As a trainer in charge of the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East, he is involved in each spa. Returned to Japan in 2008 and worked at hotels and spas in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Karuizawa before moving to HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO. With the motto of "stay active throughout your life," she continues to convey the need for spa treatments and the importance of holistic care from Kyoto to the world. My recent hobby is fortune telling.


This corner is written by Yumiko Itakura, a travel and spa journalist who continues to report on hotels and spas around the world, and the roots and culture of health and beauty that live in each region.
This year, we will focus on people from various occupations across Japan who live healthy lives in body and mind and create beauty while loving the land they live in. We will unravel the wisdom learned from the land and tips for living positively in the future. I'll go.
From each person's stories, you may become interested in the area and would you like to travel to Japan together?
This time, we are interviewing Kazuko Senzu, the chief therapist at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO Thermal Spring SPA in Kyoto City, who Mr. Itakura describes as ``a master therapist who you can entrust your body and mind to with peace of mind.''

If you think of it, it's a good day! I have always followed a path that resonates with my heart.

Itakura
I have been reporting on wellness treatments and spas around the world for many years, and Sento-san is a very impressive therapist. When you meet me and experience the treatment, I feel that my body and mind are calm, relaxed, and energized. thank you! First of all, could you tell me what made you decide to become a therapist?

Sento-san (titles omitted below)
When I was in elementary school, I went to the Osaka Expo, and ever since then, my interest in foreign countries has grown. Thinking about my career path, I thought, ``If I can get a job with my hands, I can work anywhere in the world.'' I took ballet lessons as a child, but after lessons I remembered how much I loved giving massages, so I decided to go to a therapist. That's what I wanted to aim for.

Itakura
Oh really. You've turned what you've admired and loved since childhood into your profession. Mr. Sento has also worked in Australia, England, Asia, the Middle East, etc. What have you learned from living and working in various places?

Sento
Although there are various traditions, cultures, and customs in each region, as well as different races, I realized that there are no major differences in the mental and physical troubles that people face all over the world. And we all tend to forget to take care of ourselves.

Itakura
It's true that when you're busy with work and caring for your family, you tend to put yourself on the back burner. However, I also feel that getting a massage and setting aside time to devote yourself to the things you enjoy are essential to maintaining your physical and mental health. After you returned to Japan after your experience abroad, the first time we met was in Fukuoka.

Sento
yes. After returning to Japan, I was in Tokyo, but I received an offer to work as a spa manager at a newly opened hotel and moved to Fukuoka. After that, I also worked at an affiliated hotel in Karuizawa.

Itakura
Thanks to various connections, he moved around easily and took on new challenges...his energy to take action is amazing!

Sento
I feel truly blessed by the people around me. My teachers, friends, and customers always helped me.

Itakura
Then, in February 2019, before it opened, I went to "HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO" where I currently work. What made you move to Kyoto?

Sento
I have lived and worked in various places both domestically and internationally, but I wanted to experience more of Japan's traditional culture and healing. In that sense, Kyoto is the perfect place, and this hotel's philosophy of ``EMBRACING JAPAN'S BEAUTY'' and its concept of providing healing that can only be found in Japan resonated with me. In the future, I would like to work even harder as a therapist rather than managing a spa.

Itakura
As life progresses, what you want to do, your role, where you should be, and how you work will change.

Kyoto's appeal is its "diversity." In addition to traditional culture, they also skillfully incorporate new things.

Itakura
Have you made any new discoveries while living and working in Kyoto?

Sento
It's already been four years since I lived and worked in Kyoto. Kyoto is a well-known ancient capital, where traditional Japanese culture is still alive and well, but at the same time, I feel that it has a culture that skillfully incorporates new things. For example, Japan's traditional staple food is rice, but Kyoto boasts one of the highest levels of bread consumption in Japan and has a large number of bakeries. It may give the impression of being cool and exclusive, but I don't think that is the case. I also feel that Kyoto has more customers from many different countries and positions than Tokyo. I think Kyoto's great appeal is that it is full of diversity.

Itakura
It seems like you are enjoying once-in-a-lifetime encounters with customers from various countries every day.

Sento
yes. I think I'm probably the most excited about it (lol). Seeing my customers feel at ease and smile is what gives me the strength to live tomorrow.

Itakura
I think there are many people who are surrounded by Sento's aura and are able to naturally open their minds and bodies. What do you keep in mind in your daily life?

Sento
I try to meet people of various ages, genders, and positions as much as possible, and I hope that we can build relationships of mutual respect. I also believe that it is important to be honest when connecting with people.

Itakura
What exactly does it mean?

Sento
Expressing “thank you” and “sorry.” Even if you think the other person understands your feelings, I think it's important to express them.

Itakura
Each person is different, so if we can understand diversity and meet each other on an equal footing, we can have a happy relationship. As a chief therapist, I understand that you are in a position to provide guidance to your juniors, but what do you value when it comes to building teamwork?

Sento
We have a meeting every morning, and I try to notice each person's changes and say things like, ``Hey, you changed your hair, it looks good on you!'' and say something that will make the other person feel better. Masu.

Itakura
The other person will be happy to notice the subtle changes. What do you do when you have to point out a problem or express a complaint?

Sento
I think there is a sense of pride as each of us has built up a career, and I think we are able to do the basic things. That's why I try to convey the message by saying, ``There are other ways to do this.''

I want to continue working for the rest of my life without forgetting to have fun and cherishing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Itakura
I'm sure you have a busy life, but do you have any routines or routines that you continue to do to maintain your health?

Sento
I try to walk as much as possible to places within a 45 minute walk. Kyoto's streets are laid out like a grid, so it's very easy to walk around. I also try to take a Pilates class once a week because strengthening my core is important to maintaining my health. As for my routine, I always make sure to drink hot water before and after treatments. I feel like I can welcome customers with a clean mind and body, and I also feel like I'm in good shape.

Itakura
Is there a place you go to when you want to relax in Kyoto?

Sento
"Shiunzan Chohoji Rokkakudo". I love animals, and there is a pair of swans that are close friends, and just looking at them is soothing and helps me get rid of distractions. Another thing is the strolling garden inside the hotel. It's fun to watch the plants grow and change every day.

Itakura
Are there any places you would like to visit in the future, both domestically and internationally?

Sento
My father is from Kochi Prefecture, but I've never actually been there. It seems that there are many surnames in Shikoku with the surname "Senzu," so I would like to take a leisurely trip to find their roots. If you're overseas, it's Tunisia. I saw a documentary on TV and saw that thalassotherapy was popular and the traditional pottery was so beautiful that I was drawn to it.

Itakura
Please tell us about your dreams for the future.

Sento
I want to always remember to have fun and find things that make me excited. First of all, I want to be someone who always has a smile on my face, is kind to others, and is able to pat people on the back. In order to do that, you have to be strong both physically and mentally.

Itakura
Continue to do what you like, find something that excites you, and when it hits you, take action. I would like to follow Sento-san's example and cherish it. I think there are many readers who have received energy and courage from this article. Thank you for your time today.

HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
An elegant hotel where you can experience the peace that can only be found in Japan.

``HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO'' is located in a place connected to the Mitsui general family, overlooking the world heritage site Nijo Castle. This hotel is steeped in the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense of ``sharing the natural beauty of each season with others.'' All 160 guest rooms are spacious, averaging over 50 square meters, and offer views of Nijo Castle or the beautiful strolling garden.

"Thermal Spring SPA" has a luxurious space with treatments and private hot springs, as well as the natural hot spring "Thermal Spring" that boils 1,000 meters underground on the premises.

In addition to the wellness package plan "SPA Indulgence - Hot Spring Rehabilitation Journey," which we introduced in last year's series, you should also try the body and facial treatment "Toki Pearl Serenity Ritual," which started last October. This is a menu produced exclusively for the hotel by MIKIMOTO COSMETICS, based on the ideas of Oriental medicine.
You can experience the beauty of Japan and be filled with the power of pearls, which have been respected as symbols of nobility and warding off evil spirits since ancient times. We begin with a pearl salt foot bath ritual using pearl ingredients and natural salt, and after the treatment, we provide original tea containing pearl powder to help balance your mind and body.

https://www.hotelthemitsui.com

Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Kyoto Station. Approximately 3 minutes' walk from Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line, and approximately 10 minutes' walk from Karasuma-Oike Station on the Karasuma Subway Line.

Travel & Spa Journalist
Yumiko Itakura
Yumiko Itakura

He assumed his current position after working as an editor at ``25ans'' and other publications. Traveling around the world, he proposes and writes travel plans that appeal to the five senses in various media, with themes of healing, health, food, and culture that live in the land. He also serves as a speaker at seminars sponsored by government international organizations, tourism bureaus, and companies. Also known as a lover of Italy, he composed and wrote "Italian Mamma's Recipes" (published by Sekai Bunkasha). Also, in the Japan National Tourism Organization's Global Campaign, he speaks about Japanese healing as an expert in the field of relaxation.Expert Insights Go Deep Into Japan

photos & realization: Yumiko Itakura

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