English-speaking Japanese hair salons
A person’s hair is a big part of their appearance and it’s even more important in Japan, where looking presentable is considered common courtesy. Japanese hairstyles look natural yet stylish, and it appeals to many. So, you may have considered getting a haircut at a hair salon while in Japan, but the communication barrier stands in your way. We’ve got you covered with this list of 8 Japanese hair salons in Tokyo with English-speaking staff so you don’t have to risk leaving with a botched haircut.
1. GARDEN Hair
Image credit: GARDEN Hair
GARDEN Hair is an established hair salon in Japan. They opened their first store in Harajuku, Tokyo, in 2006. It’s a huge store measuring 660sqm, with 40 dressers. GARDEN Hair’s flagship store, GARDEN Tokyo, is located in Ginza and they have 11 stores worldwide, including a store in New York City.
Image credit: GARDEN Hair
At GARDEN Tokyo, there are 22 stylists in total and they each specialise in something, from colouring to cutting hair of a certain length.
Image credit: @ayanon_hair
GARDEN Hair is popular especially among the locals for their natural, seemingly effortless, and stylish hairstyles. If you’re considering a Japanese hairstyle, you can check out the stylists and their works before making an appointment.
Image credit: @konno_hairgram
Many of the stylists have experience working overseas and are well-versed in the latest trends. Some have also been featured on fashion and beauty magazines such as Oggi and CanCam. A haircut costs between ¥6,000- ¥9,000 (~USD57.79-USD86.68) depending on the seniority of the stylist. This price includes shampoo and blow-dry charges.
Image credit: @gt_hiro_bae
GARDEN Hair also has stylists who are specialists in mixing unusual hair colours such as ash lavender, ice purple, orchid pink, and sunset orange. These unique colours are less common and other Japanese hair salons may not be able to mix the colours for you.
A basic dye job costs ¥8,000 (~US77.05), but a fancy dye job that requires bleaching can cost ¥18,000 (~US173.37) or more.
Address: GINZA gCUBE 11F, 7-9-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, 104-0061 Tokyo
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11AM-8PM | Sat & Sun 10AM-7PM
Telephone: 03-5537-5510
Website
2. SOZO Hair & Make
Image credit: @sozo.hair.international
Image credit: @sozo.hair.international
SOZO Hair & Make was opened in 2009 by a pair of hairstylists named Keizo and Taa. They wanted to create a place where people could experience omotenashi (お持て成し; Japanese hospitality) and get their hair done using the best techniques in Japan.
Every member on the team has some experience learning or working overseas in cities such as London and New York. The stylists are fluent in English, so even foreign customers can communicate with them comfortably. SOZO Hair & Make is a popular salon especially among tourists and expats and they serve foreign customers daily.
Image credit: @ki_ku_mi
Located along a small street in Jingumae, SOZO Hair & Make is within walking distance from three train stations – Harajuku, Omotesando, and Jingumae.
The interior of the store was renovated towards the end of 2020. It’s a spacious and stylish environment, furnished with full-length mirrors and glass tables. In addition, SOZO Hair & Make is also a gallery. They work with international artists to host exhibitions at the salon. The exhibitions are seasonal so you can enjoy different artworks every time you visit.
Image credit: @oto.hair.club
There are 8 stylists at SOZO Hair & Make and prices differ according to their experience. A haircut by a regular stylist costs ¥7,000 (~USD67.50) while a haircut by the founder of SOZO, Keizo, can cost ¥8,500 (~USD81.97).
SOZO Hair & Make provides colour, perm, treatment, shampoo and blow-dry, and hair setting services. Special colour techniques such as ombre or balayage have varying prices as it depends on hair length and other factors. On average, prices at SOZO Hair & Make are considered slightly high-end.
Image credit: @ki_ku_mi
Address: B1, 4-25-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, 150-0001 Tokyo
Opening hours: Mon & Wed – Fri 11AM-9PM | Sat & Sun 10AM-10PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Telephone: 03-3478-8692
Website
3. Sin Den
Image credit: @toshy129
Sin Den occupies a black building adorned with bold white murals. It stands out among the other buildings in the area because of its unique facade. The salon itself has been around for 22 years, while the stylists working at Sin Den have up to 35 years of experience.
The majority of Sin Den’s customers are foreigners. It’s a highly recommended salon when it comes to being tourist-friendly and having English-speaking staff.
Image adapted from: @sin.den.hair_make, @sin.den.hair_make, and @sin.den.hair_make
All the stylists – Hiro, Anne, and Kiri – worked overseas in cities such as Vancouver and London before returning to Tokyo to join Sin Den. They each have their own specialisation so you can choose the stylist according to what kind of hair you have and what hairstyle you’d like.
The stylists are regularly trained by Aubrey Loots, the Creative Director of Sin Den and an acclaimed stylist who has worked for Fashion Weeks all over the world.
Image credit: @hhhhhiiiiro
Image credit: @sin.den.hair_make
Sin Den’s prices are listed on their website and prices vary according to hair length and which stylist you choose. A haircut by the master stylist, Hiro, costs ¥9,000 (~USD86.79) for females and ¥8,500 (~USD81.97) for males.
Image credit: @sin.den.hair_make
Image credit: @sin.den.hair_make
For special occasions, you can visit Sin Den to style and set your hair for a special occasion. Then, finish your makeover with nail services such as manicures and pedicures, which are available for both males and females.
Address: 3-9-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, 150-0001 Tokyo
Opening hours: Wed – Sun 10AM-8PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Telephone: 03-3405-4409
Website
4. Number76 Tokyo
Image credit: @number76_tokyo
Number76 Tokyo, also known as Hair Salon Nalu, opened in Aoyama back in 2001. They only moved to their current location near Omotesando Station in 2003. Now, they have stores in Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Image credit: @number76_tokyo
All the stylists at Number76 can speak basic English. If you want a stylist fluent in English, look for Makino or Iijima. Prices at Number76 Tokyo are fixed and don’t vary because of stylist experience or hair length. A haircut costs ¥6,000 (~US57.79), which is considered affordable for a hair salon in Omotesando.
Model and TV host RinRin
Image credit: @number76_tokyo
Youtuber Mikan
Image credit: @number76_tokyo
Number76 Tokyo is patronised by many Japanese and non-Japanese influencers. Some of these influencers include model and TV host @rinrindoll, Youtuber @mikan.mandarin, model, web developer, and fashion artist @pinktaho, and Spanish Youtuber and streamer @anshindoyle.
Image adapted from: @number76_tokyo and @number76_tokyo
Image credit: @number76_tokyo
Stylists at Number76 Tokyo are bold with their colours and can pull off colourful hairstyles. A popular style at Number76 Tokyo is the under-dye colour, where a vibrant hair dye is applied only on the longest layers of hair that sit around your nape. When the rest of your hair is let down, the vibrant hair colour isn’t as obvious and only peeks through.
This style is especially suitable for those who want something bold but need to maintain dark-coloured hair for work or school. The under-dye colour costs more but prices for a basic dye start from ¥5,000 (~US48.16).
Address: Jingumae MM Building 2F, 4-9-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, 150-0001 Tokyo
Opening hours: 10AM-7PM, Daily
Telephone: 03-5786-1642
Website
5. Bulb Hair Salon
Image credit: 日下博勝
Image adapted from: BULB 〜for beautiful life〜 代官山 美容室 BULB（バルブ）
Bulb Hair Salon is owned by Shinichiro Nageyama, who graduated from the Hollywood University of Beauty & Fashion. The salon is furnished with bricks and European-style tiles, giving it an old-world charm.
Image credit: BULB 〜for beautiful life〜 代官山 美容室 BULB（バルブ）
The dressers are spaced out and there’s ample space for the hairstylists to attend to each customer. In front of each dresser, there’s a large mirror with a gold frame that adds to the classy boutique atmosphere.
Image adapted from: @ailooove_k
There aren’t many stylists at Bulb Hair Salon but they’re committed to providing the best service. If you have a particular hairstyle in mind, you can show it to them and get their recommendation. The hairstylist who is the most fluent in English is Soeda Kensuke. He previously worked in New York and specialises in non-Asian haircuts and colours.
Image credit: @bulb.hair.salon
At Bulb Hair Salon, a haircut by a stylist costs ¥7,020 (~USD67.61) for females, which is considered a reasonable rate for a hair salon in the upscale area of Daikanyama. The rates for a colour and cut are also wallet-friendly, priced at ¥16,200 (~US156.03). This price includes shampoo and blow-dry charges as well.
Compared to other hair salons, this rate is a steal as other salons might charge the same amount for just a dye job.
Address: 2F Suehiro Building, 18-7 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, 150-0034 Tokyo
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 12PM-10PM | Sat & Sun 10AM-7PM
Telephone: 03-6277-5877
Website
6. Nepenji Hair Salon
Image adapted from: Nepenji
Nepenji Hair Salon is a one-of-a-kind salon that specialises in cutting curly hair. Japan is a relatively homogeneous country and having very curly hair isn’t the norm here. So, there aren’t many salons that can call themselves specialists of curly hair.
Kiyoko Matsuzawa, the main stylist, worked at Devachan Salon in New York, where she picked up skills on how to manage curly hair. Devachan Salon is co-founded by Lorraine Massey, an acclaimed professional who popularised curl-care techniques.
Image credit: @curly_girls_in_tokyo
Curly hair can’t be cut in the same way as straight hair. Despite the special technique required, a haircut at Nepenji Hair Salon only costs ¥6,500 (~USD62.61). They don’t charge a premium for being curly hair specialists. In addition, Kiyoko takes time to teach her customers how they should manage their hair, demonstrating how to shampoo, use conditioner, and dry their locks.
Thanks to her experience in New York, she can speak fluent English so communication is not a problem. The majority of their customers are non-Japanese. Many customers come in with dry and untidy hair but leave with moisturised, neat, and glossy curls.
Image credit: Nepenji
Even though Nepenji Hair Salon specialises in cutting curly hair, their stylists can do haircuts for straight hair as well. They can also transform your straight hair into luscious waves with a perm that costs less than ¥10,000 (~US96.32).
Image adapted from: @saho_urashima
Nepenji Hair Salon has developed their house brand called N brand, which they also use in stores. The brand’s most famous product is the cleansing cream, a moisturising shampoo that doesn’t damage the hair but cleans it thoroughly.
In addition, DevaCurl and DevaCare products are imported directly from Devachan Salon. The products are water-based, as well as silicon and alcohol-free. Kerastase products are used here at Nepenji Hair Salon as well.
Address: South Court Ebisu 1F, 2-6-14 Ebisu Minami, Shibuya-ku, 150-0022 Tokyo
Opening hours: Mon, Thurs – Sat 11AM-9PM | Wed & Sun 10AM-8PM (Closed on Tuesdays and 2nd & 3rd Mondays)
Telephone: 03-3793-2357
Website
7. One World Hair Salon
Image credit: @oneworld_azabujuban
One World Hair Salon is a relatively hidden hair salon located in Azabu Juban, a residential area in central Tokyo. It was opened in 2014 by the owner and stylist, Daisuke Kawasaki. Daisuke has 20 years of hairdressing experience under his belt, including two years of working experience in Europe.
The other stylists and assistants also have experience working in international hair salons in Japan or have had stints in countries such as Singapore and Belgium. Almost all of them can speak fluent English so communication isn’t a problem here.
Image credit: @oneworld_azabujuban
Image credit: @oneworld_azabujuban
A haircut at One World Hair Salon costs ¥6,500 (~US62.61) for ladies and ¥5,500 (~US52.97) for males. This price includes shampoo and blow-dry charges.
One World serves many foreign customers who visit to dye their hair. The and prices start from ¥16,000 (~US154.10). As the salon is not big and cannot accommodate many customers at a time, it is advisable to make an appointment either on their website or via phone call.
Image adapted from: @oneworld_azabujuban and @oneworld_azabujuban
Image credit: @oneworld_azabujuban
Besides providing regular hair salon services such as cutting and colouring, One World also does interesting hair tattoos for both males and females.
Hair tattoos are mainly done by Masaki, who has a precise hand that can carve out detailed designs. After about 2 weeks, the hair grows and the designs will be gone. So, these hair tattoos are suitable for those who want something different just for a short period.
Address: 2-8-3 Azabujuban Minato-ku, 106-0045 Tokyo
Opening hours: Tue – Fri 10AM-8PM | Sat & Sun 9AM-7PM (Closed on Mondays, 1st Tuesday & 3rd Sunday)
Telephone: 03-6459-4354
Website
8. Hayato Tokyo Omotesando
Image credit: Hayato Tokyo Omotesando
Hayato Salon has a presence in Japan, London, and New York. Within Japan, they operate three stores in Roppongi, Omotesando, and Hakone. The Omotesando store has a clean and simple design. It has full-length windows which allow sunlight into the store, making it bright and welcoming.
There are three stylists at Hayato Tokyo Omotesando and they each have experience working in the other Hayato Stores in New York and London.
Image credit: @hayatotokyoomotesando
Hayato Salon’s motto is “simple and natural”. Their motto is shown not only in their interior design, but also in their hairstyles. All the stylists at Hayato Tokyo Omotesando like natural hairstyles and hair colours.
The popular thing to do at Hayato Tokyo Omotesando is highlights. Highlights make your hair look more sophisticated without being too eye-catching or bright.
Image credit: @hayatotokyoomotesando
Because the stylists have done stints in New York and London, they’re comfortable with handling non-Asian hair.
Prices at Hayato Tokyo are segregated by seniority of the stylists. Since the stylists at Hayato Tokyo Omotesando are all director stylists, a haircut costs ¥8,000 (~US77.05) and a full head of highlights cost ¥15,000 (~US144.47).
Address: 5-9-3 Minamiaoyama, Minato–ku, 107-0062 Tokyo
Opening hours: Wed – Sun 10AM-6.30PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Telephone: 03-3499-6555
Website
English-speaking Japanese hair salons to visit in Tokyo
With this list on hand, you can safely get a haircut at any of these English-speaking Japanese hair salons in Tokyo without getting your preferred hairstyle lost in translation. You’ll also be able to enjoy omotenashi at the salons.
Check out these articles for more:
- Ways to style Japanese clothing
- Acts of Japanese hospitality
- Japanese hairstyles for women
- Tokyo thrift stores
- Japanese shopping etiquette rules
Cover image adapted from: @oneworld_azabujuban and @number76_tokyo
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