I'm posting this because I'm surprised the other reviewers didn't mention it, and I think I…read morewould've liked to know before I went to see Mr. Miagyi. If you are used to going to an establishment and receive your appointed amount of massage, you should read this so you are prepared for everything.
I found this place through Yelp, due to the rave reviews (even thought only 4) and how close it is to my house, I decided to give it a try. I called in the afternoon to book an evening appointment. On the website, it says he charges $65/hr. When I called, I mentioned I wanted a one hour massage and we booked a 7pm appointment. The only thing the woman mentioned was they are located behind the Out Of Asia furniture store and I could park in the lot. When I arrived, the gate to the lot was closed so I ended up parking on the street. There was no obvious way of entering the property, it is in a sort of shady part of La Brea ave. So I called the number and the same woman had to come out and let me in. We went into the furniture store and she informed me Mr. Miagyi was on his way. I have been to some random locations for nails or wax, so I'm sort of used to people operating out of odd places...so i didn't think anything of it when I arrived. Once Mr. Miagyi arrived, he led me through the store, out the back door, through a storage area in the back and into a back house. I was slightly weirded out, but decided to go with it. The massage room was in a back house, in a small room on the first level. I walked in and saw a massage table with lots of literature on it, and immediately knew this wouldn't be a normal appointment.
Mr. Miagyi sat me down and for the next 50 minutes talked to me about Fend Shui, my chi, my zodiac sign, how I should drink more water, eat less carbs and do more yoga. Sometimes he was a bit odd, sometimes he made sense, he even took two phone calls during the process. I was getting a little anxious b/c I didn't know when the actual massage would start. Around 8:15pm I think was when he started the massage. The massage itself was very good, better than average. I have had better though. I'm very used to the therapist stopping once the hour is up, so I didn't really keep track of time. At some point, the woman who took my appointment (who turns out to be his sister) knocked on the door and told me my boyfriend was on the phone and it was an emergency. When I answered, he was in a panic, b/c it was 10:30pm! He said he didn't hear from me around 8pm (when he thought my massage would be over) so he called to check on me. The lady told him I would probably be done by 9pm. He drove to the actual place, but couldn't figure a way it. Before you think he's insane or too protective, the area is a bit shady and nothing gives you the hint that there's a massage place there. So naturally he was worried. When I didn't come home by 10pm, he called again but couldn't get in touch with anyone. Eventually he got through and that was when I talked to him. So my one hour appointment turned into a 3 1/2 hour session. Mr. Miagyi wasn't done but we decided to stop so I could go home. When I was leaving I told him I hadn't paid, and he told me I would just pay him. I assumed I booked an hour appointment, so $65 and tip I thought it would be around $90. When I asked him how much, he told me $180. I was shocked by the price. That is an acceptable price if I booked a 2 hour massage, b/c I know I did get a 2 hour massage. However, it wasn't what I signed up for and I depended on him to stop the session. Anyways, I said I only had $100 cash (they don't take credit cards), and he told me it was fine, I could just pay him whatever I had.
I don't quite know how to sum up the experience. At some point, my crazy imagination wondered if I was going to be kidnapped and killed in the back room. The set up is definitely not traditional and unlike any massage place I have visited. In the end, everything worked out and I received a good massage, but the experience was a bit too odd for me. Mr. Miagyi explained that it is a healing process that he does, not just a regular massage. This is all great if I knew what to expect. I walked in expecting a regular routine hour long massage, but left at 3 1/2 hours. If what I have describe is your thing, then this is a good place to visit. Just know you probably can't squeeze this in b/t your spin class and brunch date.
Overall, Mr. Miagyi was very nice and skillful. He was a bit eccentric at times, but harmless. Just be prepared, it's definitely not your run of the mill establishment.
