— RUMICO, thank you for speaking with us today.
It is my pleasure.
— You are active both in Japan and across Asia. Could you begin by telling us a little about your daily life?
Where are you based, and in which areas do you usually work?
I currently live in Higashi-Azabu, close to Tokyo Tower. Many of my clients are business leaders, performers, and other public figures based in and around Minato Ward, so I try to stay somewhere that makes it easy to reach them. I am often in Azabu-Juban, Hiroo, and Ebisu.
— So someone might happen to see you in one of those neighborhoods. Do you usually travel by taxi?
I do not drink, and I often use a shared e-scooter to get around. I am usually zipping from one place to the next. (Laughs.)
— Do you also travel frequently within Japan or overseas?
I often visit Hong Kong for modeling work. Opportunities for mature models have been growing, and it is wonderful to see so many Japanese women becoming even more active and visible in their fifties and beyond.
— May we ask about your daily diet? Do you eat a substantial breakfast?
The first thing I have each morning is water. As soon as I wake up, I drink two 500 ml bottles without fail.
I choose silica water. It is not inexpensive, but I can feel the difference it makes to my skin and nails.
For breakfast, I have a plant-based protein drink that suits my body. I have followed this routine every morning for more than ten years.
— That is remarkably disciplined.
As I have grown older, I have noticed that I naturally drink more water. Perhaps the body becomes drier with age. (Laughs.) I try to listen carefully and give my body what it is asking for.
— What do you usually have for lunch and dinner?
I generally do not eat lunch. On treatment days I need sustained concentration for full-body sessions, and eating can make my blood sugar rise and my focus drop. Instead, I make sure to have a proper dinner. My overall calorie intake is modest, but the consistency of my routine seems to suit my metabolism.
— Your treatments appear physically demanding. Is that really enough food to sustain you?
It does sound surprising, does it not? (Laughs.) On my days off, however, I relax and eat whatever I genuinely feel like having.
I eat meat, and I am especially fond of banana chips when I want something sweet. It is almost the opposite of a conventional diet, yet this balance has worked for me for nearly 20 years.
Perhaps the key is that my everyday discipline and my desire to enjoy food remain in balance.
— What first drew you into the world of aesthetics?
When I was a teenager, I succeeded in losing about 15 kilograms on my own. Looking back, the approach was far too severe, but over the course of a year I studied nutrition and calorie balance, visited an aesthetic salon, set a goal, and committed myself to it. I even ran on rainy and snowy days.
When I finally reached my goal, I felt as though the world had turned upside down. I was happy to wear the clothes I wanted, of course, but the greatest change was emotional. Becoming healthier and feeling more beautiful made my heart feel extraordinarily light.
It felt as though I had gained a richer and happier way of living. That was when I first thought how meaningful it would be to help another person experience the same transformation.
— Was that the beginning of your career as an aesthetic therapist?
Yes. I entered a salon specializing in treatments performed entirely by hand. After about ten years of working closely with clients every day, one client told me, “Your hands move in a way that most people’s cannot.”
I discovered that my wrists are unusually flexible and can rotate far beyond the normal range. Until then, I had assumed that everyone’s hands moved as mine did.
— That is remarkable. Your wrists truly have an exceptional range of movement.
During a treatment, I can reach areas that are difficult for most practitioners to access. My palms and wrists can adapt freely to the contours of the body. It was only when a client pointed this out that I understood it was a distinctive ability.
Since then, I have trained with greater intention, developing that natural flexibility into a refined professional technique.
— So the secret behind your treatments is a rare physical gift, shaped by years of practice. Are you comfortable sharing that?
Absolutely. (Laughs.) I would like as many women as possible to experience what these hands can offer.
— How do you care for your own body and hands?
I apply a medicated cream to my wrists, palms, and especially my fingertips every day. Full-body strength matters, but in a treatment performed entirely by hand, the hands are the point of contact with the client. I therefore take time to maintain them with particular care.
— How did your career develop from there?
I continued to devote myself to working with each client’s body. At times I treated more than 1,000 clients a year. Over 30 years, I have now cared for more than 30,000 women. Even I am surprised by that number; the years passed very quickly.
There are two principles I have always held close.
First, no two clients receive exactly the same treatment. Height, proportions, bone structure, muscle tone, and daily condition are different for every person. The treatment must be designed for the individual in front of me.
Second, I look beyond the client’s immediate request. I consider her lifestyle and emotional state, and I shape the session so that daily life feels easier and more enjoyable afterward.
A nurse working late into the night, someone with very little time off, and a mother in the most demanding years of childcare all carry different forms of strain. Rather than follow a fixed manual, I try to understand the life behind the body and help release the stress held there.
At KASHIKOMI Aesthetic, the aim is for every client to leave feeling lighter not only in her body, but also in her mind.
— Modern life places so much stress on women.
It does. Every person who comes to see me has made time and space to be here, and I want to ease that burden, even if only a little. I am happy when a treatment brings a new realization: “So this is why that area felt tight,” or “I did not know my body could feel this light.” Those small discoveries can make everyday life more enjoyable.
— What do you hope to communicate through your work?
A sense of wonder, awareness, and happiness. I want to use the hands that are uniquely mine to give the finest treatment I can, to value the relationship with each client, and to support her through whatever concerns she brings.
A New Challenge Beyond 50
— What have you challenged yourself to do recently?
As I approached 50, I entered a global beauty pageant in 2024. More than winning, I wanted to prove to myself that turning 50 did not mean the end of new challenges or meaningful achievement.
The preparation was far more demanding than I expected. The lessons and rehearsals were intense, and there was a time when I nearly withdrew. I completed much of it through tears. (Laughs.)
Still, I saw it through and was selected as a Grand Prix finalist. I now also serve as an ambassador.
— The photograph here is from that pageant. It is a wonderful achievement.
Standing on stage was a beautiful moment, but the experience gave me more than a sense of accomplishment. I met vibrant women of my generation from across Japan and formed lasting friendships. Seeing how many women continue to challenge themselves after 50 was deeply inspiring.
I have since begun receiving more offers for modeling work.
My true profession, however, remains aesthetic bodywork performed entirely by hand. That will always be at the center of what I do.
— Is the world stage next?
Yes. I look forward to traveling throughout Asia and beyond as an ambassador and advocate for beauty at every age.
A Message to Our Readers
As we grow older, new concerns naturally appear. I hope women will not carry those worries alone. Sharing them with someone they trust can bring genuine relief to both mind and body.
Let your first priority be to live with greater ease and joy.
Often, that state is closer than we imagine. We also need the courage to recognize it and value it.
Taking on a new challenge is one path. Another can be as simple as easing physical discomfort and rediscovering your own smile. Small moments of relief, repeated over time, can transform the way life feels.
If a visit to KASHIKOMI Aesthetic helps someone realize that living more lightly can be surprisingly simple, that makes me happy as well.
As aesthetic therapists, we are entrusted with the precious bodies of our clients.
We listen closely to each woman’s body, circumstances, and feelings. Through these hands, I hope every client can experience care, warmth, and happiness.
For more than 30 years, I have remained grateful for every encounter. I will continue to meet each client with the same sincerity. If we have not yet met, I invite you to share your story with me. I hope we can discover new awareness, inspiration, and smiles together.
— Thank you very much.
RUMICO — Profile
A master aesthetic therapist with 32 years of experience in Indian-inspired bodywork, RUMICO continues to care for prominent clients from the worlds of business and entertainment.
She has treated more than 30,000 women and has also contributed to the launch and development of numerous aesthetic salons.
After earning leading results in client satisfaction, technical excellence, and sales, she now works as an instructor, aesthetic therapist, and model. Known for her quiet manner and exceptional hands, she continues to provide highly personal care at the forefront of the profession.
Her commitment to living beautifully and energetically beyond age continues to offer other women confidence and possibility.
In 2025, she published “Why Are Mature Women with Space in Their Lives So Beautiful?” (ISBN 9798266447509).
Global Unity JAPAN 2024 Grand Prix Finalist and Ambassador
AHEA-Certified Advanced Indian Aesthetic Therapist
IBMF-Certified Fasting Counselor