Sayuri Katsuta is the founder and CEO of Amritara, a Japanese natural beauty and wellness brand. A former model and chiropractor, she has dedicated her career to developing products that combine traditional Japanese wisdom with modern science. Guided by the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, she creates skincare, foods, and supplements that nurture beauty and wellbeing from the inside out. Here, she shares how Japanese culture influences her own wellbeing
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness is life itself.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
I love preparing traditional Japanese dashi using kombu (kelp) (Amritara Umami Kelp Powder) and bonito flakes (Amritara Umami Bonito Powder), and enjoying seasonal vegetables grown without pesticides or fertilizers, along with other natural foods. I also nourish my skin with plant-powered skincare and try to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
I have been practicing kickboxing for the past six years. Beyond improving metabolism and maintaining my physique, it strengthens the mind, body, and spirit. It also helps relieve stress and improves focus.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
I always begin by making a rich dashi with kombu, bonito flakes (Amritara Umami Bonito Powder), and dried shiitake mushrooms (Amritara Umami Shiitake Powder). I use it to prepare miso soup, noodle broth, and simmered dishes. The natural umami helps reset the palate, while the minerals nourish both the body and the skin, bringing a deep sense of balance.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
I love drinking our Amritara Dried Rose Petal Tea made from the Japanese rose variety “Saki,” blended with pomegranate juice. It is rich in polyphenols, provides antioxidant benefits, and may help support hormonal balance.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
I turned 58 this year, and without following strict diets or extreme routines, I have maintained a healthy body weight, good physical health, emotional stability, and a positive mindset. To me, that is my greatest wellness achievement.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
The person I admire most is the great Japanese Buddhist monk Kūkai. His lifelong practice embodied the essence of traditional Japanese wellness: cultivating the body, mind, and spirit while living in harmony with nature. His teachings continue to offer timeless wisdom for achieving health, inner peace, and fulfillment from within.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
Kūkai taught that true wellbeing comes from the harmony of body, speech, and mind. Caring for these three aspects with intention is an enduring piece of Japanese wisdom that remains deeply relevant to modern wellness.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
Autophagy, the body’s natural process of breaking down and recycling damaged proteins and worn-out cellular components to help maintain healthy cells. Although this process tends to decline with age and lifestyle factors, research suggests that moderate exercise, periods of fasting, and even certain types of tea may help stimulate autophagy.
What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?
In Japan, it has long been believed that true wellbeing comes from harmony between the mind, body, and nature. I believe that appreciating seasonal foods, living in tune with the changing seasons, and embracing nature without forcing or resisting it nurtures balance and leads to a happy, healthy life.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
SDGs (Sustainable Developmental Goals); not because the idea is wrong, but because it is often used as a marketing buzzword without meaningful action.
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
Supporting antioxidant defense, reducing glycation, and protecting the skin from photoaging are the three pillars of natural beauty aging.
When choosing skincare, I look for products that help address all three. Just as important, however, is avoiding formulas that contain harsh ingredients, as skin irritation can increase oxidative stress. I also believe it is essential to choose products formulated with time-honored botanical ingredients that have been valued for generations.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
Japanese hot springs (onsen). I visit one almost every week. Soaking in a hot spring helps improve circulation, supports recovery from fatigue, relaxes both the body and mind, relieves stress, and promotes a healthy balance of the autonomic nervous system.
Is there a particular wellness company or brand that truly impresses you with their efforts and why?
I am especially fond of moor hot springs.
Their waters rise through ancient layers of plant-rich peat that contain abundant fulvic acid. They are known for their antioxidant properties and leave my skin feeling wonderful while helping me relax completely. In fact, fulvic acid—found naturally in moor hot springs—is also one of the key ingredients in the Rice & Grape skincare collection from my own brand.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
Keeping my skin deeply hydrated with plenty of essence (Japanese-style facial lotion).
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
I slow down my breathing, brew a cup of tea, and simply take the time to enjoy it.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Since entering my 50s, the quality of my sleep has declined. Fortunately, I have seen significant improvement through morning sun gazing (closing my eyes and facing the rising sun), regular exercise, and soaking in hot springs.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
I may be a little biased, but I would recommend my own book, Flow for Ageless Living. It explores wellbeing from every angle—body, mind, and spirit—and brings these elements together into one holistic approach.
How do you celebrate small victories?
I raise a toast with the organic beer I developed myself and say, “Iyasaka!” Iyasaka is an ancient Japanese word of blessing that expresses the wish for ever-growing prosperity and continued flourishing. It is a joyful way of celebrating life’s blessings and looking forward to even greater things to come.
What brings you joy?
Simply being alive, here and now. The way we live in the present shapes our future, and even gives new meaning to our past. Above all, I believe the greatest joy is to live each day with gratitude for the gift of life.
