My Massage Study Journey in Bali
- MITSUGETSU
- 8月22日
- 読了時間: 2分
When I decided to study massage in Bali on my own, I set a clear goal:
After earning my Balinese massage certification, I would open my own salon.
I spent a month at a massage school in Sanur, Bali. The school had a dormitory, and most of the students were Japanese women of all different ages and backgrounds. But no matter our differences, we all shared the same dream—to earn a massage license. Of course, I was the only transgender woman there.
Honestly, I was nervous at first. I had never been in an environment surrounded only by women, and I wasn’t sure if I could fit in or connect with them.
The classes were taught entirely in Indonesian, even though there were two interpreters who could speak Japanese. I had studied a bit of English during a short stay in the U.S., but since the teachers all spoke Indonesian, communication was difficult in the beginning.
Still, there’s a saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” I had brought some Indonesian language books with me from Japan, so I started practicing simple greetings and words. Little by little, I was able to talk with my teachers.
Something magical happens when you learn the local language—even just a little. The distance between me and my teachers slowly disappeared. Casual chats during breaks or quick greetings in the hallway became fun, and soon I found myself smiling and laughing with them.
It’s the same everywhere—whether you’re in the U.S. or another country—if you make the effort to speak a little of the local language, people naturally open up. Even here in Okinawa, many U.S. military members live and work. If they try a bit of Japanese, locals usually respond with a friendly smile. It’s always worth a try!
At the massage school, we learned the techniques of traditional Balinese massage. To complete the program, there was an exam where we had to perform a full treatment within a set time. We were graded on things like rhythm, pressure, and whether we were working along the right points of the body.
Through this process, I grew into a professional massage therapist.
At first, I sometimes felt homesick, but by the time I had to leave, I actually felt sad to say goodbye. In the end, I proudly earned my diploma and returned to Japan.
The friends I made and the experiences I had in Bali became some of the most valuable memories of my life.
From there, I threw myself into preparing to open my own salon back in Japan—and that’s when things really started moving forward.
To be continued...
