So today I tested my nihongo skills to the max by going for a haircut!
It was made slightly less scary by the fact that the hairdresser is in my group of friends from the cafe, and booking an appointment was just a matter of texting her. However, she still doesn't speak any english.
Terrified of walking out with a Japanese super-cool-but-not-really-my-thing mushroom cut, I looked up a few haircut related words and took a picture.
And this is where it got good.
Firstly, the salon was the most beautiful hairdressers ever! To enter, you must walk past a burgundy and white mural and down a tiny garden path. Inside was a polished wooden floor, cream floral panels on the wall and vases spilling over with orchids. I was led to a vintage armchair to talk over my cut (aka show the picture), then led to the sink for my hairwash.
Whilst my hair always feels great after being washed at the hairdressers, its always a little uncomfortable, what with the cold porcelain of the sink digging into your kneck and the awkward eyecontact with your stylist. I wasnt particularly excited, therefore; how wrong I was!
I was given a cusion to rest my hands on, which made me feel like a princess waiting to look over some new jewels or something. If that wasn't fancy enough, a hot towel was placed over my face - eye contact n o p r o b l e m o! And that isnt even the best bit. The chair reclined ALL OF THE WAY BACK. I was basically having my hair washed in bed. (Also my ears washed, a bit more bizzarely). Super, super relaxing.
The cut itself was great, and after, because she was my friend, and because she knew I had to tie my hair up for work, and because she liked playing with hair that wasnt japanese, my stylist fishtail braided it into a way fancier version of my usual 'forgot to brush my hair in time' bun! I wish she could do that every morning!
After everything was finished, came my absolute favourite part. The free neck and shoulder massage.
If you went to an onsen and then for a haircut, youve had a diy spa for half the price!
Price wise, all of this extra special treatment is the equivalent of a wet cut, no blowdry at an inexpensive salon back home. Plus, if you were visiting, and didnt get paid in yen, it would be about a tenner for the most relaxing cut of your life... if youre visiting japan i reccomend a good cut! Plus youll truly understand why the japanese are always getting their hair done.
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