Just like one other reviewer stated: Not relaxing, but it works! Mr. Nagata (Aki) knew just what to do. Very traditional Japanese massage therapy. He works out of his apartment. read more

My sister go around the world looking for this kind of Shiatsu.This person Aki is the only can help her feel better with the pain that she had.Yes I highly recommend Aki Shiatsu. read more

Aki gave me a great massage. Helped my pain and was very kind. The building was easy to find, there was good street parking. I called and they got back to me very quickly to book. Thank you! read more

I went to Aki with bad neck pain from sleeping strangely and I had such a great experience. Aki was able to spot the deep painful knots I had and was very firm yet gentle. The assistant was very nice and also applied firm yet gentle pressure that was very relaxing. Be sure to come here fully rested because it can be intense. I also like how the business is really straightforward and no frills. I would recommend Aki to anyone who is serious about relieving their pains!! read more

Mr. Aki Nagata is possibly the most experienced Shiatsu practitioner working today in California. (Elsewhere, elements of Shiatsu have been incorporated into massage therapy.) But I wanted faster improvement, reduced pain and greater flexibility, so I went for traditional shiatsu. Aki Shiatsu may not provide a light massage, unless requested. He provides an effective and real sports treatment. I am going back tomorrow and then continue after that as needed. I feel that I got a month's worth of improvement in one day. read more

Don't think "massage," when you want to understand Aki's approach to Shiatsu. Think "medicine," think "treatment." Aki is a master of a very particular form of Shiatsu that is unlike anything I've ever experience in my life. Directly after my treatment I felt intense euphoria, a a feeling that somehow something that was on Ed blocked is now clear. I've had many Shiatsu treatments from a number of practitioners. Nothing had come close to what Aki was able to do. The impact is intense, immediate, and undeniable. This is not massage for relaxation. This is treatment to facilitate healing, to promote the management and facing of stress, pain, and disease. This is about awakening the body's natural healing mechanisms. It is an experience that is hard to describe but I can say it is truly transformative and healing. Anyone that is seriously looking for healing should seek out Aki's care. One session made me a true believer. read more

A highly-recommended different level of wellness! After the shiatsu session, my stiff neck and upper back pain were relieved! The therapy was very good and therapeutic (I'd say relaxing but I was so awake and aware of the sensation of correcting my muscles lol) that I needed to come back for more. I love the firm massage of my stiff muscles, and the strong setting of my out-of-ways muscles and tendons. The results were just AMAZING! Aki is amazing! I say he is a shiatsu master! And I'll be back for more sessions getting the full body therapy. read more

He is a con-artist. After payment for 3 sessions of therapies. At the first appointment, he disappeared and evacuated the office at 828 San Panle Ave, Ste 216. Call, text and email but no response read more

Do not use this business! I went in with neck and shoulder issues and came out with a torn cartilage and costichondritis (inflammation of rib cage, extremely painful) as a result of the trainee doing ashiatsu- using his feet to put pressure on my body, and apparently putting too much or uneven weight on my rib cage. While in the session I felt a sudden sharp pain in the center of my chest and it got worse and spread through ribs over next few days, sending me to urgent care. I also felt no lasting positive effects from the rest of the session. I had gone to see Aki based on the reviews but most of the session was done by his trainee Paul. There was nothing in the website or yelp reviews about the trainee providing services or about ashiatsu being a part of the treatment. I was an idiot to allow this and want to warn future patients. Paul said this had never happened before and apologized, but that doesn't take away the damage done and which I've been told could be long lasting. I have lost days of work, and had to have two Dr appts and x rays. I have been in touch with the business and asked for their names and certification numbers and they will not respond . I have also asked for a full refund for this session given the harm caused and resulting expenses and they will not respond. Do not give these people your money. This is not a legitimate or trustworthy business. Update to say three weeks later and still in pain, dx with bone contusions. WTAF. After I wrote this review some woman called and said she was sorry about my health. I asked who she is and why she knows my personal health info. She said she is a friend of Aki, he doesn't speak English. I said it is unacceptable to have a random stranger calling me about my personal info. She offered a full refund. I asked what Pauls training is. She said he's certified in the Philippines, not in the US. I told her this is absolutely unacceptable that they use an uncertified trainee. I asked his full name and she said she didn't know but would text me. Weeks later they have not given me that info. This business is a scam and needs to be shut down. I'm so furious at the damage caused and expenses I've incurred (lost wages, pain medicine, x rays, CT scan, Dr visits, dog walker and food delivery when I literally couldn't even stand up). And the emotional impact having to spend weeks unable to do much of anything and no clear end in sight. Do not do not do not go to these people. Also some other huge red flags, they worked on me in a room with the door wide open to the reception area and another door wide open to a public hallway. No privacy whatsoever. During the session some random woman came and sat chatting to Aki and afterwards commenting to me about the session and watching when they assessed my posture. WTAF? And nobody ever took any info on me, name, health history, no waiver signed, nothing. A complete scam business. read more

I booked Aki for my Oka-San for a Mother's Day present as she's bemoaned the lack of Real Shiatsu practitioners in the Bay Area. Thanks to Yelp I found him! She said it was "the best shiatsu she's had since the last time she was in Japan." She was SOOOOO happy! (Be prepared to do some reading up on shiatsu if you go - it is not like any other bodywork.) read more

It hurt but it worked. The other reviewers are telling the truth. I'm no athlete but I've recently grown a lot in my fitness journey. I had some workout-related tension in my occipitals, chest, and shoulders. Very stiff. It was making me moody every day. I had to take slow deep breaths during the treatment to help my body receive the work and relax. And it worked :) This is good recovery if you're actively trying to put on muscle or you have postural imbalances. read more

I came here specifically looking for shiatsu. I've had shiatsu once before and knew beforehand it is not relaxing. It is painful in the best way possible as it focuses on meridian points and the results afterward are incredible. Aki considers your pain threshold as he works and I personally anticipate shiatsu to be painful while looking forward to more openness, less tension, and more open energy channels afterward. Aki has a decades of experience and knowledge. I specifically request Aki for shiatsu. There are also other excellent masseuses on staff as well with different backgrounds including deep tissue massage and Thai massage. I also got a Thai massage from here. The masseuse was strong and I had a good experience. If you're looking for shiatsu, or any massage for that matter, in the bay I highly recommend! read more

When a masseuse asks you if you bruise easily.... You know it's gonna be good. He worked all my joints and somehow massaged every organ including my eyeballs. I would not call it relaxing but it's a healing massage for sure. would recommend. read more

I booked an appointment in advance through their website. When I showed up for the appointment, no one was at the office. I called them and they told me there was a communication error and that they cannot come meet me for my massage. They then text me saying they are so sorry for the mix up and are willing to reschedule me for a later time and offer me a discount. I respond asking for when they can see me. I've been ghosted for the past 4 days. Definitely won't be trying to come here after all this mishap and wasting my time. read more

Aki is incredible and a real healer. I came as a result of some yelp reviews that discussed his technique. This is the real deal. I have had a few massages in my life, and they feel good of course, but the next day everything is the same. Aki found my pain points immediately, even though I had described very little to him about what was bothering me. He performed a deep form of massage that did leave marks on my skin, but that were very healing. Then he did a bit of acupuncture, which I had never had, but am completely sold. Even a week later, my neck/shoulders felt entirely different, more mobile, and less pain. He said it will take a few treatments to solve my problems entirely, but the difference after one session is considerable. NOTE SCHEDULING: Please call him directly to schedule. Leave a message and he will call you back. (I had problems trying to book online, and it turns out his online accounts are totally dysfunctional and he doesn't have access to change them. So he's not using the online scheduler at all. So skip the online parts and just call!) NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: He has had a change in his business over the past two months, and is now located in Berkeley. *Update - looks like the yelp map was updated and is now correct. NOTE PAYMENT: Cash or check only. Apparently he got scammed and is no longer accepting credit cards for now. read more

Hands down, best massage I've ever had. None of that watered down rub your back with oil crap. This man is a trained master of the body of 40-50 years and will identify all your tension points immediately, even those you didn't know you had. He will then proceed to work his magic on your body; it may feel irregular or odd but trust his process. I am only visiting so I don't know when I'll be able to return. My biggest regret in life is not living in the area so I can go to him regularly. If you have any muscle tension, tightness, big knots, shoulder or back pain, this man will heal you. Aki-San is a godsend. thank you for your great work! read more

I was feeling some upper back pain, but wasn't sure if I needed shiatsu as it sounds like it is more for long term intense pain. However, I decided to book an appointment anyways! The shiatsu massage was definitely not relaxing, but I felt so good afterwards. Definitely recommend this for people who need to resolve long term intense pain. I probably won't be going back unless I need to do so, but I appreciate the experience. read more

I was looking for a good massage to mitigate the pain of plantar fasciitis and help with my range of motion. My expectations were greatly exceeded. In a couple of weeks, Aki reduced my foot pain by about 95% so it no longer hampers me. This healing has continued even after not having seen Aki for several months. He is a kind, humorous man who is a master at setting your body free to heal. I recommended him to a friend who has had a similar experience. His treatment is painful, but he's doing it to fix you. Thank you Aki-Sensei! read more

Warning! The manager took off with this guy's money. Lots of it. If she calls u, do NOT give her ur money. She does not work for Aki any more. She is calling his old clients who trusted her and taking their money too. read more

This man is like a miracle worker. I was a bit skeptical when I first came to see him. He told me this massage was not a relaxing massage. He told me it's painful. Yes indeed, it's quite painful. But I will tell you it's all worth it! I feel SO much better after seeing him. I'm a loyal customer now and look forward to my appointments. If you're suffering with any pain, do your body good and see Aki. read more

As someone who has done so much acupuncture and physical therapy for my chronic pain, I had practically given up on finding a long term solution. Aki was able to give perform amazing but painful body work. My upper back had been so bad that I couldn't even touch around my spine without it hurting and feeling spasms, and after 3 weeks there was so much improvement I was in shock. I can't recommend Aki Shiatsu enough, while it is intense at times that is a sacrifice many people should be willing to make for the sake of improvement if they had hit a dead end like myself. Plus, Aki is a very kind guy and will listen to you but provide his own feedback as well. read more

Aki is amazing. Fixed a bad back I'd been struggling with for over a year. Shiatsu is not a relaxing massage, it's deep tissue work that targets trigger points. I was a skeptic before seeing him but I give him my highest recommendation if you're in need of some body work. He's also one of the nicest guys I've met in a long time. read more

If you know what shiatsu can do for you and can deal with the intensity (pain) this guy is the real deal. He's been practicing shiatsu for 50 years and knows what he's doing. Since there aren't many people who know shiatsu and do it correctly, I highly recommend him. read more

I'm a runner and Aki's treatment keeps my hip pain away for months. Now that he's moved to Berkeley we will be driving from Peninsula to see him. All he needs is an army of apprentices to learn from him and preserve the art. read more

I've been seeing Aki for traditional Japanese message for few months. I go there once a week and it really helped my frozen shoulders and poor neck. I also have serious inflammation in my shoulders and finally they are gone. Aki is a true master of message. The office is super clean and comfortable. The massage could be intense but it really works. With the hot stone treatment and soothing music, I feel so good when I leave. Give it a try and you would be so glad to find this hidden gem. read more

If you are looking for a serious massage this is the place. I grew up in Japan: I know what real shiatsu feels like. Suzuko Deresh is an experienced therapist and she massages to cure. I highly recommend San Bruno Shiatsu. Suzuko takes time to figure out what need to be worked on. Her massage is good for both relaxation and pain relief. If you have persisting pain and discomfort, and your doctor cannot figure out what to do with them, give her a try. She has a healing touch. SBS is conveniently located near the freeway, cross st is El Camino. Plenty of parking. Simple, but clean and sunny office. Appointment is necessary. Please call ahead. read more

I am fixed! Had numerous issues and I feel like a new person now! Yes, sometimes it was painful but that's what was required. I will definitely be visiting on a regular basis going forward read more

Aki and Mariana are absolutely phenomenal!! I will definitely recommend to all of my friends and family!

Wow I'm so impressed by this business. So customer friendly. Akai and Mariana are super people.

Mr.Nagata is such a wise and talented man. My sister and I discovered him on Yelp and decided to make an appointment based off of reviews. I had mild back pain and without me telling him he was able to figure out exactly where my pain was just from gently touching my back. He is a very experienced massage expert and my sister (who has more severe back pain) has continued to see him weekly. Her entire life she has dealt with chronic back pain and has never seen a specialist that truly understood her condition or left her feeling fully relieved for that matter. After discovering Aki Nagata Shiatsu she has been able to experience a sense of relief she's never been able to achieve!! Seriously if you're having any type of back or muscle pain Mr.Nagata is a huge blessing!! read more

I am writing this while waiting for my appointment with Aki. I have very bad upper back and shoulders problems that every massage therapists have told me how challenging and bad my issues were. At first, Aki was also very honest and told me he was not sure if he could fix it, however, I wanted to give it a try since I felt instant relief after the first session. I am glad I continue to see Aki which he has helped me loosen up my upper back and shoulders a lot. Normally I would feel relaxed a day or two after my massage with other therapists; with Aki, I can feel the relaxation lasts a lot more longer at least a week. Every time when I go in, he checks in with me about my major concerns then he uses different techniques and ways to tailor to my needs every time. Comparing to other places who perform same technique routine every time, I find Aki's massage works best for me. Aki and his assistants are very nice. His assistant Ruby is also very skillful and helpful. If you are looking for someone to perform deeper massage to target your deep problems, go to him. I have to say sometimes it could be quite painful during the massage, but I feel tremendous difference after it. read more

Aki is a miracle worker. First off, he is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled at discovering the root of your aches or pains to actually FIX problems--not just make you feel relaxed for a few hours. I have gone to Aki for almost a year now and would highly recommend him for those who like deep tissue or have a problem area that needs more attention than a generic "relaxing" massage. I also love that I can text him for an appointment and he is quick to reply and often can accommodate my schedule. I have had a trigger point that has bothered me for over 5 years--I have gone to countless masseuses, chiropractors, and acupuncturists to resolve this painful issue. I tried physical therapy, and even a doctor who did dry needling, lidocaine injections, and eventually even tried doing botox injections into this tight, angry, sometimes spasming muscle. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be constantly managing and dealing with this condition and so when it acted up to the point of distraction last year I found Aki hoping for a little relief. Aki not only listened to what I told him about my problem area, but then did a holistic assessment of my body through the shiatsu techniques. Aki asked permission and explained his technique before finding the areas of tightness. He then "followed" those flows/lines to go beyond the area where my pain was radiating from. I will he honest, it seemed odd at first as Aki used a quick and localized scratching technique within the area and then beyond to see where the blood flow was blocked and then worked out those areas. For me the blockage/tension wrapped around from my back to the front of my rib cage so Aki applied pressure in more areas than just where I experienced pain. I would describe these first sessions as treatments supplemented by massage and I certainly had some marks afterwards. After the first session I noticed immediate and lasting improvement. The area was tender, but the deep trigger point area was already much better. Aki warned me that as the spot had bothered me for so long that it might take a while to fix, but after only three sessions my trigger point was pain free. I was amazed and so very grateful. I have continued to see Aki for maintenance and general massage and he always does an excellent job-when my lower back was bothering me he used the same techniques to alleviate that pain. I always get the sense that I am seeing a true professional when seeing Aki, you can really get a sense of how much knowledge and training Aki has and I am very lucky to have found him. He also has very reasonable prices and offers discounts for purchasing a block of sessions. I have never been compelled to pre-pay for massages before Aki, but am so glad I have. read more

I have been struggling for years to bring my body back. I have a number of issues, from cracked vertebrae, arthritic neck and a bulging disc. I have also lost a lot of strength in my legs and core. From the very beginning of my visits with Aki. I could tell an immediate improvement in my range of body motion and strength to my legs. Also much of my pain subsided and I sleep better at night and my walking improved as well as overall core strength. Aki takes the time to read your bodies energy and works with the meridians in the body to restore blood flow and oxygen that may have been blocked before due to inactivity or injury. Aki will have me as a patient always and I am very grateful to his masterful work. It has made a huge difference for me and my quality of life. read more

Aki is the business owner, and he is the only one who works at the practice. Aki is extremely nice and knowledge about the art of Shiatsu. I bought a deal on Groupon for $39 for an hour massage , and it was amazing. Please research what Shiatsu is before coming into this practice for a massage. I would compare this massage to a deep tissue massage. If you can not handle deep tissue massage, then this type of massage is not for you. The pressure for me was perfect. Aki asked me if I was ok, and if the pressure was too much. If the pressure is too much for one to handle then asked for less pressure. I would definitely come back to Aki, because I need deep massage not a relaxing massage. So if you need deep pressure this is the man to see. read more

I had treatment by both Aki and his assistant. It was great! Before the treatment, Aki warned me that this would be painful, so I was expecting the worst. It wasn't so bad. The pressure is comparable to deep tissue massages by any other professional male masseuse. That is, until he busts out the stick. Stick in the deltoid. Stick in the trapezius. Stick in the gluteus. Stick in the muscles along my spine. That hurt. But that's what I needed to get to the deep muscle trigger points, and it worked. I only had 3 sessions one weekly and I really started to feel better in my back and shoulders. Throughout the sessions, he did check with me to make sure that the pressure was not too much. I had never had Shiatsu before, so I did not know exactly what to expect. You disrobe partially, but the massage is done through a sheet, so there is no massage oil. I like this way better, so I do not feel the need to shower right afterward. There is no fluff here. No aromatherapy, no new age music. This place is focused on the business of getting you better. The other reviewers are right -- If you're looking for a touchy feely feel good massage, this is not the place for you. This place is to work out those tight trigger point muscle bands that have been nagging you for years. After the 3rd session, Aki said that I had improved enough that I did not need any more sessions and that was it for now. I respect his ethical business approach to not say that I needed to keep coming over and over to get better. On top of this is that his prices were very reasonable, especially if you buy a pack of sessions. I'll keep coming back for the periodic touch up that I know I'll need. read more

This place is serious about Shiatsu and you come here for some pain. Aki is the owner and the only one there, he is nice and have a sense of humor. You have to make an appointment since he's in an office building. The first part of the massage was nice. Then comes the deep shiatsu part where he jabs your pressure points with a wooden stick. I understand why he needs to do this. Because he needs to clear the path of the clogged stuff in your body. But if you are coming in for relaxation, this is not the place for you. I don't think I'll come back because that is not what I'm looking for. read more