The sign in front of the salon giving the services and pricing.
Hidden in an alleyway in the bustling and vibrant district of Harajuku is a salon that is both English-friendly and affordable.
Opened in 2009, SOZO Hair&Make Tokyo is a salon that provides services to both Japanese and international customers. SOZO is known as a highly ranked salon and serves international customers on a daily basis. They import an array of products from different countries and have a team experienced with different hair types to ensure customer satisfaction for all clients.
With two locations, SOZO Omotesando in the Harajuku district and SOZO Ginza in the Ginza district, we will be focusing on the experience at the flagship store in Harajuku.
Services provided
When making a reservation for an appointment, there is an option on their website to reserve in either Japanese or English. As you progress in making your appointment, a page with tons of options will come up, such as a simple cut and which stylist you prefer for your appointment. You can also choose a combination option that includes a cut with a perm, color, hair treatment and more.
Using the website was very straightforward and provided both descriptions and pricing for each service. For my appointment, I went with just the cut option, which lasts about an hour, and no preference for a stylist for a morning appointment.
When arriving, you check in with the front desk where they will pair you with an available stylist and lead you to a chair. When I arrived, I met Sara, and we sat down to discuss how I wanted to cut my hair, looking at and comparing inspiration pictures.
Digital media innovation junior Mia Saucedo joked with her stylist during her appointment that he needed to “chop [her hair] all off to get it back to healthy.”
After a style is decided on, you are taken to the wash bowls where your hair is shampooed and conditioned. Additionally, both at the bowl and the chair, they give a thorough massage. This part was my favorite part of the whole service and was incredibly relaxing.
From there, while your hair is still wet, the cutting process begins with precise sectioning and measuring. Once every section is cut, they blow dry your hair using a round brush to give a blowout look with all the flips and volume. Then, they check your hair once more to ensure all the layers blend. After the last check, hair oil is applied to help your hair look shiny and healthy.
Pricing
Depending on the service or stylist you choose, the final cost for your appointment may vary. For my appointment, which included a wash, massage, cut and style, had a final price of ¥7,700 or just under $50 including tax. In comparison to many salons in America, most of the services are very affordable with the most expensive service being around ¥35,000, approximately $220, for a cut, digital straight perm and FIBERPLEX steam treatment.
American salons vs. Japanese salons
The biggest difference between American and Japanese salons would have to be the pricing for services. I am very lucky that the stylist I go to in Texas is a family friend, so I get a very moderate price, but others are not so lucky with prices consistently in the $200 range.
Journalism junior Taylor Carrasco’s main motivation for getting a haircut in Japan was the expense of going to the salon.
“The stylist that my mom and I go to keeps upping her pricing,” Carrasco said. “Last time I went, I didn’t get highlights like I normally do because it’s just too expensive.”
Outside of the price difference, like most places in Japan, the salon was very quiet and very little talking happened that did not involve the haircut process. In America, it is not uncommon for a stylist to make small talk with their client, and it is in fact considered a bit rude not to. At SOZO, the only sound in the salon was the clipping of hair, the whir of a blow dryer or the faint jazz music playing over the sound system.
Overall, the experience was very enjoyable and will leave you incredibly satisfied with your fresh cut. If you are ever in the area near one of the SOZO salons, I highly recommend taking a look at their appointment times to enjoy a relaxing haircut!
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