The Shirakawa Acupuncture Clinic in Tokyo, Japan, has gained international recognition for its unique acupuncture method that uses an unusually large number of needles.
The clinic, which claims to cure both physical and spiritual ailments, has gone viral, attracting celebrities and athletes seeking relief from issues ranging from muscle stiffness to bad luck and spiritual possession.
Acupuncture, a healing practice with roots tracing back thousands of years, has evolved with time as practitioners develop their own techniques. One such practitioner, Yusaku Shirakawa, founder of the Shirakawa Acupuncture Clinic, has gained fame for his “root acupuncture” method.
This technique involves inserting dozens, sometimes hundreds, of needles across various parts of the body, including the face, to address both physical discomfort and spiritual imbalances. Shirakawa claims that his treatment not only alleviates chronic pain and muscle tension but also purifies the soul, improves luck, and aids in decision-making.
The cost for a session at the clinic reportedly starts at 200,000 yen (approximately $1,400), but despite the high price, Shirakawa’s technique has become popular among Japan’s celebrity community. Among his notable clients are actor Masataka Kubota, table tennis star Ai Fukuhara, and gymnast Ryusei Nishioka.
Kubota, best known for his roles in Japanese dramas and films, recently shared his experience at the clinic on Instagram, posting photos of himself with needles covering his face and chest. While Instagram flagged the photos as sensitive, the actor praised the treatment, describing it as “exhilarating” and revealing that it helped push him to his core. Similarly, Ai Fukuhara also shared her experience with Shirakawa’s technique, though she refrained from posting photos of her treatment to avoid alarming her followers.
The practice, which is said to elicit emotional responses from patients, often brings them to tears. “These are detoxifying tears, a manifestation of the soul’s purification,” explained Shirakawa in a recent interview. He believes the intense emotional reactions are a sign of spiritual cleansing.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Shirakawa’s method has grown in popularity, though it remains relatively rare in Japan, where there are over 120,000 acupuncturists. While Shirakawa is currently the most well-known practitioner, it is estimated that around 500 acupuncturists in the country practice this root acupuncture technique.
