We spoke with Suzuki-san, who is currently the manager of two stores, VASARA KIMONO Sensoji Store and VASARA KIMONO Ikebukuro Store.

The Sensoji store is located in a lively area of Asakusa, close to popular tourist spots such as Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate, and Nakamise Shopping Street, and is frequented by many foreign visitors. At the Ikebukuro store, you can enjoy a different kind of sightseeing experience by wearing a kimono or yukata.

-Please tell us your profile.

I'm Miho Suzuki, manager of VASARA Sensoji store and VASARA Ikebukuro store.

-What job did you do before joining the company?

I worked at a beauty salon.

-What made you decide to join VASARA?

I joined the company as a part-timer, wondering if I, over 40, could become a full-time employee. I worked there as a part-timer for a year, and every day was fun, and the year passed by in an instant. Looking back over the past year, I was drawn to VASARA, where I could always take on new challenges, experience excitement, and work with kimonos in such an environment. So I decided that I wanted to become a full-time employee.

-What is the most important thing to you when doing your job?

We want our customers to leave with a smile! The purpose of the job of dressing is to start the customer's important day outside. Although we are only involved for that one hour, it is a responsible job to add a touch of elegance to that important day. We keep to the time, do a final check of the finished product, and do our best to get ready so that you can leave with a smile!

-Please tell us about your future outlook for your business and operations.

While the kimono culture will never die out, what VASARA can do is create an environment where people of all ages can enjoy kimono, and first of all, we will push forward with the cutting edge in terms of price, design, number of stores, etc., so that people can say "VASARA" when it comes to kimono.

-What is the happiest episode that has happened to you so far?

A child who was 3 years old when we celebrated Shichi-Go-San returned to our facility even though he was 7 years old.

We hope you will consider VASARA as the perfect place to celebrate special days, such as surprises or anniversaries.

-What has been the most difficult episode so far?

Communication with overseas customers.

Nowadays, we can communicate smoothly with the help of translation apps, but just a while ago, we had to use gestures to explain the price to the person wanting to wear a kimono and the person wanting to help someone put one on, and it was a difficult but good experience to have such heated exchanges during the dressing process.

-What have you gained from working at VASARA?

I joined VASARA to work in the beauty industry and to master kimono dressing, but I started as a part-timer and then became a full-time employee, and after a few months I was promoted to assistant manager and then manager. This required unfamiliar computer tasks such as email and document creation. I was able to learn little by little, even though I was not good at it, and in a way I feel that learning this has helped me grow as a person. There's no denying that there are challenges to overcome!!

-What is your favorite travel destination?

Anywhere if you go with the person you love (*^^*)

-What are your hobbies and special skills?

I love detailed work like crafts and sewing!

-Please give a message to those who are considering applying.

Cherish the feeling of wanting to take that first step! I think it takes courage to challenge yourself to do something new. If you have gone to learn kimono dressing but have no practical experience, have a gap in your studies for some reason, are good at social media but can't do kimono or hair arrangements, or have other concerns, please come to VASARA! It would be a waste to let those skills lie dormant! [Skills last a lifetime] Once you take that first step, your concerns will be blown away and you will find it rewarding. We look forward to seeing you!