As one of Japan’s most trusted luxury housekeeping brands, Kurashinity requires its employees to undergo stringent training before working with clients. I traveled to the Tokyo headquarters of Pasona, Kurashinity’s parent, to see for myself just how intensive its hospitality-training sessions are.
It’s early morning, and a group of immaculately dressed housekeeping students file into a spacious conference room in Pasona’s Tokyo office, while the enthusiastic seminar leader describes for us Kurashinity’s strict process of selecting its candidates. “Our housekeepers are carefully selected after we have carried out thorough background checks. We accept only candidates who can communicate fluently in English, and many of our housekeepers also have prior experience working as domestic housekeepers in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and other countries around the world, from Hong Kong to Singapore.”
The training, conducted under the lead of Kurashinity Chief Director Ms. Tamura, begins with the housekeepers standing together to bow and deliver a greeting in unison. Then, the instructor enthusiastically begins a long and comprehensive class that covers everything from the chemistry and mechanisms of alkaline and acidic cleaning products to the proper technique for quickly tying apron strings into a tidy knot. Judging from Kurashinity’s impeccable housekeeping service, I was not surprised to learn just how meticulous Japanese housekeeping practices can be—whether it is perfecting the angle of a bow on an apron or wiping wooden floors with the grain to avoid even the faintest scratch. The Kurashinity training program teaches every aspect of luxury housekeeping to ensure its housekeepers are the best, not only when it comes to cleaning, but also customer service and hospitality skills.
During a class break, I speak to the housekeeper Marie Ligutom. “I worked as a housekeeper in Singapore before joining Kurashinity,” she explains with a smile. “I really enjoy living in Japan. I was particularly delighted to be able to experience the beautiful culture and the four seasons.”
“I’ve learned a lot at Kurashinity. We receive rigorous training in the use of Japanese cleaning products, efficient management of time and workflow, and customer service pointers, such as the importance of keeping a pristine appearance while working,” she says.
Being currently in the three-star class, she has a long way to go until she graduates from Kurashinity’s five-star program, but Marie is optimistic and passionate about her job. “I hope I can help my clients with my knowledge of Japanese cleaning. I think our service has a lot to offer, especially for foreign customers who may not be familiar with Japanese products. Concerns specific to Japan, such as the proper cleaning of tatami mats, may be unfamiliar to foreign customers, so I would like to help them keep a fresh and clean house with the skills I have learned during my training. At Kurashinity, we place great importance on properly handing down information so that our clients receive the exact same high-quality service even in the case of staff changes or substitutions. We are taught to uphold our motto of ‘One Kurashinity Standard, One Kurashinity Service Quality, and I am proud to represent the company.”
As the sun sets in Tokyo and the class draws to a close, the students stand to give a gesture of farewell. They all bow at the perfect angle, looking even more professional than they did that morning. With their folders full of fresh information and guidance on cleaning products and Japanese housekeeping etiquette, they exit the room, ready to start another week of high-quality housekeeping in Japan’s busy capital.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jessica is a writer and translator now living happily by the sea just south of Tokyo in Kamakura, Japan.
