Get Your Perfect Cut - English-Speaking Hairdressers in Tokyo!
In terms of day-to-day life among Tokyo's foreign residents, one of the most frequent topics of conversation is where to find a good hairdresser. Japanese readers might be surprised to hear this, since there seems to be at least four or five professional-looking hairdressers clustered around every reasonably large station. It is not quality, but rather the language barrier, that makes this a bit of a quirky problem. Even though language accessibility in the metropolis is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was 10 years ago, there is something about the hairdresser issue that keeps coming back.
It is one of those occasions when, to express your taste and style, you need to establish good communication and rapport. An error might leave your hair damaged or leave you looking unprofessional for work--to say nothing of your sartorial goals!
What's more, when it comes to dyeing, the differences between the hair of Asians and those of other descent--especially African and, say, Europeans with red hair--can be marked to say the least. Although, it is worth saying, a surprising number of Japanese hairdressers--and almost all those who offer services in English--have trained abroad, making this much less of an issue than you might expect.
With all that said, there are actually plenty of English-speaking hairdressers dotting the Tokyo landscape. This is especially true of the larger chains in hairdressing hubs such as Harajuku, Omotesando, and Ebisu. These establishments tend to have many staff with strong English.
Today, we are going to look at a couple of independent salons that specifically offer services in English to ensure that you have complete peace of mind as you sit down for the perfect cut.
WEC Hair & Eyelash (Ebisu)
Conveniently located five minutes from Ebisu and this author's regular haunt, WEC Hair & Eyelash offers a range of hairdressing and styling services that are popular with male and female customers. Head stylist Kenji not only trained abroad, but also worked in London and New York as a hairdresser. He has even worked as a stylist on a Hollywood movie set. Needless to say, he is completely fluent in English; and, if you, want to talk music and football, then all the better!
With his own salon in Japan since November 2012, Kenji now teaches Japanese hairdressers across the nation coloring skills, particularly for European hair, making him something of an expert in his field. No matter your hair type, you are sure to be in safe hands and set to leave with coloring that looks natural and turns heads for the right reasons.
The stylish midrange salon offers cuts, perms, and a range of head-spa and treatment options that you would expect from a higher-end salon. There is also a discount for all new customers. Don't forget to request it!
Fabio Alfano Hair Salon (Omotesando)
You would think there would be more non-Japanese hairstylists working in Tokyo, but they are actually few and far between. One of the most famous is Fabio Alfano, head stylist at the eponymous Fabio Alfano Hair Salon in Omotesando. The chic upscale establishment is a hub of cosmopolitan energy, and you will regularly hear English, Japanese, and Italian being spoken as the stylists snip away.
Alfano hails from Italy and follows in his father's footsteps in the hairdressing profession. Having worked in London at Toni & Guy's flagship salon in Mayfair and main academy, he was offered a chance to work in Tokyo in 2006 and has been here ever since. He can frequently be found backstage at the fashion runways of Tokyo and other major events, as well as providing educational training for his team and occasionally working on locations for other hairdressers.
In 2016, Fabio Alfano Hair Salon was opened and offers a complete lineup of blond highlights and balayage to precision haircuts and styling, alongside head spa treatments using Davines haircare and Brazilian keratin treatments that can be essential for managing some hair types! The salon's Japanese bilingual staff are also constantly trained to make sure they are up to date with global hair trends.
Only Cut Zone
For something a bit more on the budget end of the spectrum that doesn't sacrifice quality, Only Cut Zone in Kita-Senju offers a complete service in English for just ¥1,000, tax included, for both men and women. Owner Ichiro lived and worked in California for 10 years and is Only Cut Zone's friendly face who is sure to offer a lively conversation as you get your cut.
English-speaking stylists are available every day except Sunday and Monday, and you don't need a reservation. Feel free to drop in at any time! Especially for men looking for a cheap and cheerful cut, this salon comes highly recommended.
Needless to say, there are many more options out there to match all tastes and budgets, so don't let anything stop you from getting the right haircut for you--in English.
*This article was posted on the Life in Tokyo website operated by the Tokyo International Communication Committee on March 11, 2019.