2 hours of awesome

Well, its been a month since my last haircut, and I gotta tell you, I think I'm going through withdrawal. In all seriousness, getting a haircut in Japan is like a day at the Spa in America. But for only 30 dollars or so. Interested???? Read on! And by all means check out SLL Promise Land under Bro's Blogs for another fantastic haircut experience.

Let me just take you step by step though the typical haircut en devour. First, you walk in to be greeted by friendly, and gorgeous, faces who immediately take your bags and coat. If this is not your first time, they will immediately tell you if your stylist is in that day (not because they ask for your name, but because they remember you from your first visit -Awesome). Typically, they will ask you exactly what you want before you even sit in a chair-and what you want is written down. Next, you go to get your hair washed. But not just washed; washed, conditioned, treated, and then followed up with a head massage....yes, massage.

Then, to the chair, where you are given a shoulder massage until your stylist is ready...yep, another massage. When your stylist arrives, the real fun begins. This is probably 45 minutes after you've walked in the door. Be forewarned, haircuts are a 2+hour adventure.

Anyways, after you've picked your jaw off the floor, your stylist will cut your hair and make excellent conversation. And again, the language barrier has not been a problem. Now that I think about it, the stylists aren't so much stylists as they are hostesses who cut hair. They are probably TOO good at talking/taking care of you.

Haircut finished - its time to style. With the blow drying, hair wax, hair spray, and more talking, stying probably takes as long as the haircut. It is most certainly worth it. And did I mention that this costs only 3500yen? And there is also no tipping in Japan (except on very specific occasions), so 3500yen is it.

The worst part is having to say goodbye to your future wife/stylist. Yeah, I said it.

This type of service is not just found in salons, but in almost all Japanese businesses-department stores, restaurants, you name it. That plane ticket to Japan is sounding pretty reasonable now, isn't it??