WA no IYASHI
A Japanese Wellness & Self-Care Experience

Tatami Tray Workshop & Lecture

Join master craftsmen from Fukushima Prefecture for a hands-on workshop and lecture. Limited seating, advance tickets required.

Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5
Fee: $40 (incl. taxes, etc.)

Immerse yourself in the sights, scents, and textures of authentic Japanese tatami culture, and discover how tradition, mindfulness, and beauty come together to restore balance and well-being.

About the Instructors

Fumio Kuboki
CEO, KUBOKI TATAMI Co., Ltd.

Born in Fukushima, Japan in 1987. While preserving the traditions of Japanese tatami-making, Kuboki explores the potential of “new tatami” that fits modern lifestyles and international aesthetics. He established TATAMI VILLAGE, Japan’s first experiential facility dedicated to tatami culture, and operates a showroom in Ginza, Tokyo. His company now exports to over 30 countries worldwide.

Koichi Igarashi
Head of Tatami Division, KUBOKI TATAMI Co., Ltd.

Born in Fukushima in 1987. A nationally certified First-Class Tatami Craftsman, Igarashi is responsible for the production and installation of high-quality tatami. He has presented live demonstrations in Los Angeles and Paris. His notable works include projects for the former residence of Eiichi Shibusawa.

In this hands-on Japanese gold leaf workshop, instructor Hideko Koyama will guide participants through the history and cultural significance of the traditional technique of this iconic craft. You’ll learn to apply ultra-thin gold leaf onto chopsticks using simple tools, creating a unique design by cutting, tearing, or crumpling the delicate leaf. Each creation is finished with a clear protective coating, allowing you to take home a custom, handcrafted gold-leaf keepsake.

Perfect for enthusiasts of Japanese traditional crafts, cultural experiences, and artisanal workshops, this session offers a unique opportunity to connect with Japan’s rich heritage through hands-on learning.

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5
Fee: $45 (incl. taxes, etc.)

About the Instructor

Hideko Koyama
HAKUICHI (Kanazawa, Japan)

Originally from Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture, Hideko Koyama has lived in the United States for 28 years. Raised in a region known for Nanao Butsudan—elaborate Buddhist altars adorned with gold leaf and traditional metalwork—she developed a deep respect for Japanese craftsmanship from an early age. She studied Japanese literature, history, and culture at university, and her time living abroad in London and New York further deepened her appreciation for Japanese traditions and aesthetics. Captivated by the beauty of Kanazawa gold leaf, Koyama later trained at HAKUICHI’s gold leaf workshop in Kanazawa, where she developed her expertise. Today, she leads hands-on workshops across the U.S., sharing the artistry and cultural significance of gold leaf with global audiences.

Experience a soothing dry foot care session that begins with aroma inhalation using HONO-KA essential oils in warm water to center your breath. A gentle alcohol cleanse and warm towel prepare your feet for callus care with a FAN OUT foot file, followed by a calming aroma foot massage using HONO-KA oils. Short yet deeply relaxing, this treatment revitalizes from the feet upward, leaving you feeling balanced, refreshed, and renewed. Limited seating, advance tickets required.

*Service may be declined for inflammation, wounds, or infections. Only short grooming and massage are provided; no polish/gel removal, cuticle work, or deep corrective trimming.

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5
Fee: $20 (incl. taxes, etc.)

About the Instructors

Chie Koshikawa
Therapist

A veteran nail therapist with over 10 years of experience at luxury spas in Los Angeles, including Burke Williams and the former W Hotel Bliss Spa. She is widely respected for her expert hand and foot care, using a delicate touch that brings deep relaxation and balance to the body and mind. As a certified yoga and meditation instructor, Chie combines wellness and healing into a holistic approach. At this event, she will guide guests through hand and foot care using premium Japanese essential oils (HONO-KA), offering a refined aromatherapy experience that gently leads participants into a state of relaxation and calm.

Naoko Miyashita
HONO-KA

Since joining United Arrows in 2021, Naoko Miyashita has been involved in the import and export of essential oils, with a particular focus on Japanese botanicals. In the same year, she played a key role in the launch of HONO-KA, a Japanese essential oil brand created for international markets. She has since been actively working to share the therapeutic benefits of Japanese aromatics with audiences abroad, including in the U.S. At WA-no-IYASHI, she joins us from Japan to introduce guests to HONO-KA’s signature self-care rituals.

Chisato Konda
CEO of CKNY LLC /
President of CKNY Japan

Based in New York. After a career at UBS and Blackstone, Chisato founded CKNY, a production and consulting company specializing in art, entertainment, and wellness, with bases in New York and Nagano. She has produced cultural and artistic projects on international stages including Off-Broadway and the Cannes Film Festival, while also creating events that combine art and wellness such as meditation, sound healing, and wellness retreats. She is also a Certified Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. Inspired by her own pregnancy and a shift to a caffeine-free lifestyle, Chisato co-founded BōtaPia (BOTAnical + utoPIA) with her sister, a medicinal herbalist based in Nagano. Guided by the philosophy “NO NATURE, NO LIFE – We are part of nature” and the values of “Delicious, Stylish, and Good for the Body,” BōtaPia introduces 100% natural and organic Japanese caffeine-free matcha and YakuZen herbal teas, bringing the natural power of plants.