Spa & Beauty Salon Guide
Getting pampered in Japan - what to expect and how to prepare.
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Hair Salons
Before You Go
- Bring photos of the style you want - essential for communication
- Learn basic hair terms (see phrases below)
- Expect 2-3x longer than Western salons (they're thorough!)
- Reservations are strongly recommended
Useful Phrases
Cut onlyカットのみ (Katto nomi)
A little shorter少し短く (Sukoshi mijikaku)
Same length長さはそのまま (Nagasa wa sonomama)
Don't cut too muchあまり切らないで (Amari kiranaide)
Tip: Chain salons like QB House (¥1,200, 10 min) are foreigner-friendly with picture menus!
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Massage
Types of Massage
整体 (Seitai)
Chiropractic-style body adjustment
指圧 (Shiatsu)
Pressure point massage
足つぼ (Ashitsubo)
Foot reflexology
リラクゼーション
Relaxation massage (gentler)
Communication
Stronger pleaseもっと強く (Motto tsuyoku)
Lighter pleaseもっと弱く (Motto yowaku)
It hurts痛いです (Itai desu)
That feels good気持ちいい (Kimochi ii)
Warning: Avoid places with "pink" lighting or suspicious names. These may be adult establishments.
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Day Spas
Super Sento are large bathing facilities with multiple pools, saunas, and relaxation areas. Great for a full spa day!
What's Included
- Multiple baths (hot, cold, jet, outdoor)
- Sauna and steam rooms
- Relaxation areas with manga
- Restaurant and snacks
- Some have rock salt rooms, sleeping pods
Recommended: Oedo Onsen, LaQua (Tokyo), Solaniwa Onsen (Osaka) - all foreigner-friendly!
Price: Usually ¥1,000-3,000 for basic entry. Weekend/evening may cost more.
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Nail Salons
Japanese nail art is world-famous for intricate designs. Services take longer but results are stunning!
Service Types
Gel nailsジェルネイル
Nail artネイルアート
Removalオフ (Ofu)
Care onlyケアのみ