Japanese at the Hair Salon: Booking, Explaining Your Cut and What You’ll Hear
To get a haircut in Japan, book ahead at a 美容院 (biyōin, hair salon) or a 床屋 (tokoya, barber), bring a photo of the style you want, and learn a handful of words: カット (cut), 前髪 (maegami, fringe or bangs), 長さ (nagasa, length) and 短く (mijikaku, shorter). The key phrase is 〜センチくらい切ってください (please cut about … centimetres). Japanese salons are known for careful service, so you’ll also be asked a few polite questions during the shampoo. Here’s what to say from booking to paying.
Salon or barber?
A 美容院 or 美容室 (biyōshitsu) is a hair salon for anyone, offering cuts, colour and perms. A 床屋 or 理容室 (riyōshitsu) is a traditional barber, and many include a shave. There are also quick, low-price cut shops where you buy a ticket from a machine. Most salons take bookings online or by phone, and walk-ins are less common than in some countries.
Words to know
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 予約 | yoyaku | Booking, appointment |
| カット | katto | Cut |
| カラー | karā | Colour |
| パーマ | pāma | Perm |
| 前髪 | maegami | Fringe, bangs |
| 毛先 | kesaki | The ends of your hair |
| すく | suku | To thin out |
| 刈り上げ | kariage | Short back and sides, clipped |
| 分け目 | wakeme | Parting |
Booking and arriving
- カットの予約をしたいんですが。 I’d like to book a haircut.
- 今日は空いていますか。 Do you have any space today?
- 3時に予約したスミスです。 I’m Smith, I have a booking at 3.
Explaining what you want
- この写真みたいにしたいです。 I’d like it like this photo.
- 全体的に3センチくらい切ってください。 Please cut about 3 cm all over.
- 長さはあまり変えないでください。 Please don’t change the length much.
- 前髪は眉の上くらいでお願いします。 Fringe just above my eyebrows, please.
- 少しすいてください。 Please thin it out a little.
- サイドは刈り上げでお願いします。 Clippered at the sides, please.
- 短くしすぎないでください。 Please don’t make it too short.
A photo does most of the work, especially for colour, since words like “ash” or “beige” can mean different shades. If you have curly or very thick hair, say so when you book: くせ毛です (I have curly hair) or 髪が多いです (I have a lot of hair).
Questions you’ll hear
| You’ll hear | Meaning | You can say |
|---|---|---|
| お湯加減はいかがですか。 | Is the water temperature OK? | ちょうどいいです。 Just right. |
| かゆいところはありませんか。 | Anywhere itchy? (asked during the shampoo) | 大丈夫です。 I’m fine. |
| いかがですか。 | How is it? (shown with a mirror at the back) | いいです。 or もう少し短くしてください。 A bit shorter, please. |
| ワックスはつけますか。 | Would you like wax or styling product? | お願いします。 / なしで大丈夫です。 |
Many salons put a light cloth over your face during the shampoo, and some include a short head or shoulder massage. Tipping isn’t done in Japan, so just pay at the counter and say ありがとうございました. If you want to chat less, a simple smile and short answers are fine.
Practise before your appointment
A quick role-play with a native tutor is an easy way to prepare for your first appointment, whether you’re in Japan for a few weeks or have just moved. For more everyday situations, see shopping in Japan and our moving to Japan checklist.