Okuyama Bodywork

Place looks super shady, but don’t let that scare you off! The massages are great, although it changes depending on who you get. One woman even did some chiropractic moves on me, which my back was thankful for later.
Overall, would recommend if you’re looking for just a massage. The ambience is basically nonexistent.

I have been going here for the past 3 years, after a friend referral, and find myself going back again and again. It’s not a glamorous place by any means, but most of the massages I’ve had have been really great. They don’t do the ‘one sized fits all’ approach like most casual massage places in the area (I shopped around before finding this place). They are experienced enough to give you a more personalized session. If you don’t care about candles and fancy oils and just want some good body work done, give it a try!

Walked in for an evening massage with low needs and low expectations. Walked out a resurrected man. I’ve received massages in probably 30 countries, and this was top five lifetime easily. Don’t let the no-​frills décor fool you; the value comes from the product – which, in this case, was a sniper-​targeted shoulder-​work over fit for kings. Can’t wait for my next check in.

This is the only massage place I’ll go to in the city now. I work in a restaurant and have had surgery on both my arches — so my feet are in need of regular maintenance. Okuyama does the trick!
The massages are not a back rub, as others have stated. It even feels like the masseuse is pulling some muscles back into place once in a while. However, by the end of my session I always feel so relaxed and ready to fall asleep. The staff is professional and friendly. They take seriously your health and requests.

Good service. Michael has done a great job, he is very skillful, and relaxes the tension in my muscles, felt a lot better after service.

I have been going to Mei at Okuyama for a little over a year and she has helped with my back pain to an amazing degree. Mei was recommended to me by a friend and I was in such pain that I figured I had nothing to lose by having a massage with her. She is very skilled and is also a very nice person. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

May and her staff are simply aMAYzing! Do yourself a favor and visit them right away.

Awesome massage, if you just need a decent massage and nothing else, this place definitely is the best. Will come back for sure.

Haven’t Unilocaled in a while, why not start with a non-​food related establishment? Okuyama was recommended by a friend and I decided to give it a try. Since this was my first time, I was a bit nervous. The masseur (forgot his name) was extremely friendly and attentive, he made sure that I was comfortable and asked me where I was feeling the most tense. It was so good I nearly fell asleep. Also the environment was relatively clean and well kept.

The actual space was rather intimidating when I first walked down the stairs and I did think looked seedy, but it was clean when I stepped inside, but certainly nothing fancy. It was not what I considered to be spa like.
My feet were use to soaking in hot water for about 10 minutes before a foot massage. But Okuyama had me lay on a table with no bucket of hot water to soak my screaming feet. Hey, I was game, on vacation and hoped for the best. After all this was NYC. Once the massage began I was so thankful that I decided to treat myself. The massage lady, Jun, went to the bone marrow at times, but honestly it was the most professional, intuitive and best foot massage I have ever had. Thank you Jun for making my vacation that much better and spoiling me for a whole lovely hour.

As others have said, very DEEP massage, and they will not lighten up even if you ask. I talked to the owner afterwards and he just said I’ll «feel better tomorrow.» I definitely feel worse than when I went in, and for a second there I was concerned they would pop my shoulder out of place.
This is not a normal massage, either– like other bodywork places, they insist on the stupid idea that you’re fully clothed with a very thick scratchy towel over you as well. NO part of this was relaxing, and as others have said the online and phone discount doesn’t exist. Don’t go here!

The aesthetics of the location are absolutely unimpressive. But quality of the body work is good. Beware — the prices are not as they are posted on the website and the 20% discount for phone and online book doesn’t exist. The actual prices are listed inside the establishment at the front desk. This was slightly upsetting to find out when I walked in, but fortunately the quality of the work is still a good deal even if it costs $ 4 more.
So yeah, the aesthetics of the location are absolutely unimpressive if not cramped. Inside is akin to an illegally subdivided office space. Or an overdone emergency room triage with shower curtains strung everywhere as the only separation between yourself, the «hallway», and the next massage table.
That being said the quality of the body work was exceptional. As another poster wrote, and I can confirm, they will go DEEP. I have both a very strong and very tense body, and the masseur spare no effort in digging deep in with elbows and working pressure points. I felt like she actually very much cared that my back was so tight and was determined to get this set of muscles right before releasing me back into the world.
I’ve had many deep skin massages before where its was relaxing or invigorating. But since receiving my deep muscle (?) massage at Okuyama yesterday I think am experiencing for the first time a lasting feeling of release across my calves and back that usually ALWAYS retighten up.

Woah I rarely disagree with a place’s Unilocal rating but I really think this place deserves three stars. Ladies are nice but their English isn’t the best and I left more sore than relaxed. Also, I thought they were Japanese from the store name but they actually speak Chinese (fyi for those who have trouble speaking to them in English). When we got there, the ladies seemed a little confused and gave me the impression that they weren’t expecting me even though I called ahead of time to make an appointment. I later learned that they thought I was a «white girl» from my voice which kind of seemed unprofessional of them to say to me :/​
We got started on our massages really quickly and one of the masseuses kept talking to my bf. Not a problem, just something I noticed. My masseuse put a lot of pressure on me so I kept asking her to be a little lighter and she would always laugh at me… and then she would go back to the same pressure as she started with a minute ago so I gave up after telling her 3 times. When we were finished, I felt more sick than when I started. It was really weird actually. My throat hurt a little and I had a headache. I blamed it on the air circulation inside because it was a little stuffy and my bf felt the same way too. Not sure what it was, but I probably won’t be back.

I’ve been to different spots all over the city but this place is great! Friendly staff and great deep tissue massage! May one of The masseuses does great work on the neck and shoulders! The massage tables are also in great condition.

Great place for a massage, as the masseuses really know how to go deep and will focus on trigger points. This is geared to treatment (hence the bodywork name) versus relaxation. Reasonable pricing and some of the staff speaks English, particularly the younger ones.

Outstanding massage. Great technique; picking out the exact spots requiring release without even needing to ask.
Prices are really great for the standard of massage.
Wouldn’t hesitate to return and recommend to my friends!
Thanks Okuyama for a great experience.

Living in a city that has a bunch of places to get a massage and relaxing experience, I’m happy with my experience at Okuyama Bodywork.
You walk into the basement of the building, which can be a little daunting. However, one you’re in your room, it’s fine. Note that rooms are private curtained off areas but your privacy remains in tact. Downfall of the curtains is the inability to block out 100% of the sound outside of your area. Aside from that, the area is clean and they are quite friendly.
The bodyworker (I had a female) is knowledge and did a great job. I had to tell her to back off the pressure a couple of times which she quickly apologized and made sure I was comfortable. She did massage my butt muscle which took me off guard at first. That being said I was surprised at how many knots and pressure points were found there, including where the muscle attaches to the sacrum.
The last thing that I’ll say that I really appreciated was that at the end of each section of the massage, she wiped me down with a hot towel. I thought this was a nice touch so you don’t walk out of there an oily mess.
Came here in March ’15.

Went in today because my neck/​shoulders/​back have been picking a fight with me. I’ve been in to see Mei in the past and loved the session, but she wasn’t available today. I booked with Michael and as great as Mei is he turned out to be just as great.
You do have to be a bit masochistic to truly appreciate what Okuyama has to offer (spoiler alert: it’s not the mise en scene), but I’ll keep going back for their custom, hard-​hitting and effective treatments.

I hate to write this bad review. But I think i should give people a warning. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Mei. She was extremely friendly, and told me that there will just be a five minute wait. I recall telling her that I like it strong, but I didn’t think a massage should be painful. She started with a gentle rubdown followed by a neck crack. Next, she stepped on my back. I was scheduled for 60 minutes. But by 30 minutes in, I felt like I was being beaten up. I was tapping out like I was in a wresting ring, and she kept asking me if I was okay and to take deep breaths.
I have been to my share of high-​end and hole-​in the wall massage places. But this one takes the cake for being the strongest and the most affordable. After the massage, I felt relieved and even a bit relaxed.
So, the one star is for the big bruise that is on my arm one day after the massage. I have little bruise marks on my backs as well. But they are not as visible. I’m still sore from the massage. In addition, my right arm is swollen!!!

I found this place through Unilocal so I thought it deserved a Unilocal review! I was looking for a short 30-​min massage right after work and before my dinner reservation in the West Village. So here goes: Five big reasons to give this place five stars!
1– clean, comfortable, and cozy
This place is small and about half a floor below street level but somehow they make it work. The massage area is closed off by curtains but with the lighting, zen music, and comfortable massage tables, I was ready to fall asleep before my massage even started.
2– massage was painfully amazing!
I didn’t come here for a relaxing back-​rub. If I’m paying for a massage, then I want my muscles to be loosened up and the tension/​cramps I have been accumulating in my shoulders/​back to be erased. And this massage did more than I ever thought could be accomplished in 30 minutes! Yes it hurt a lot especially in certain areas around my shoulder blades but it was the good kind of pain. 6 hours later and I am now sore in two spots but incredibly relaxed everywhere else on my shoulders/​back. Like another Unilocaler has mentioned: no pain, no gain!
3– the cracks at the end!!!
The neck crack (both left and right), the mid/​lower back crack, and the two side cracks at the end of the massage was like chocolate cake at the end of an epic dinner. My body felt so good after each one.
4– the dedication and hospitality of my masseuse
I forgot to ask the woman what her name was but based on the review here, I think I had Mei. She was STRONG and sweet. Once I was tucked-​in in the massage table she was able to tell where in China I was from. I’m Chinese-​American and I only spoke English but somehow… from my body and muscles, she knew! She also explained to me the different levels of strength she uses in her technique and gave me a cup of water and a hug at the end. I also got a loyalty card where I get a free massage after 10 visits.
5– good price and many options
They do 30 minutes ($ 26), 45 minutes, 60 minutes ($ 48), and 90 minutes. There really is no reason to not get a massage here!