Curious Hair Salon Names
Japanese people always have amazing, beautiful hair (except for old men, who comb the few greasy strands of hair they have left over their head in a style which Japanese youngsters call “the bar-code,” and old ladies who inexplicably dye clumps of their hair luminous shades of green and purple, like septuagenarian Green Day fans.) The young folk look like magnificent peacocks.
To maintain their spectacular coiffures, every suburban town seemingly has as many hair salons as houses, and often these salons have unusual names. Unlike western hairdressers, who try to give their shops chic and sophisticated names, usually incorporating a European guy’s name, like “Chez Toni” or “Mario’s” even if they’re run by a bloke called Kev, the Japanese take a refreshingly different approach: just use any English expression you can think of.
This is why you can find places like “Hair Freak” in Chigasaki.
“Step inside, we’ll turn you into a freak.” I’d be a bit disconcerted about going in that salon. I’d be even more worried about visiting the place below, in Yokohama.
“Kamikaze” means “divine wind” which, in this case, presumably refers to the hairdryers. Let’s hope the barber doesn’t stab himself in the stomach with his scissors if he screws up someone’s perm.
Beauty salons at home tend to have pretty, feminine names. Not like the decidedly butch and unladylike “Guts”, in Shimokitazawa. With a name like that, you’d need guts to go inside.
My personal favourite is the grotesque “Hair Slug” in Yokohama, a name which creates all sorts of horrible images in my head. Slimy slugs slithering on my scalp. Urgh! I suppose it’s one way to save money on hair wax.
Well, even though these names are weird, at least they didn’t go for the tired old cheesy puns that I’ve seen at home, like “Hairs Looking at You, Kid” and “Curl Up and Dye.”
January 24, 2008 at 4:26 am
There is a salon in Otawara, Tochigi that is called Mannish.
January 24, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I suppose they corner the tomboy market.
January 25, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Back home in L.A. (actually Gardena to be preceise), there is a salon called “Hairoshima”.
January 25, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Permasaki would be a good name for their next branch.
January 25, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Wow, Hairoshima is crazier than anything I’ve seen! I’d imagine your hair falls out after going there.
January 26, 2008 at 1:11 am
Hairoshima seems like a completely inappropriate name. Kind of insensitive.
January 26, 2008 at 7:30 am
Yeah, you’re probably right. Unless it’s run by someone from that city.
I was surprised to see a place called Kamikaze in Japan, too.
January 26, 2008 at 5:23 pm
In Tsukuba we have also Hair Freaks and Santa Hair Style. I believe the Santa one must be full during the xmas seaon.
January 26, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Jon-boy,
Relax it’s just a frikin name.
Are you one of those people that thinks we shouldn’t have Christmas tree’s in shopping malls cuz some non believer might be offended?
It’s a free world, so be happy your livin’ in it!
January 27, 2008 at 11:06 am
still if u went to japan and saw one called perm harbor u’d be miffed, at least alot of people would
January 27, 2008 at 11:34 am
Haha! Perm Harbor. That’s good!
January 27, 2008 at 11:35 am
Not me,
I went to the Arizona memorial and was one of the only Americans that day while 100 Japanese were laughing and taking pictures and having a good ole time standing on the watery grave of 1200 Americans. It stung, but I learned a lesson that day.
The war is over so move the f___ on!!
January 27, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Bar code = classic.
Here it’s known as the humble comb-over.
January 27, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Yeah, same in England. It’s sometimes called “the Bobby Charlton”, too, after the football player who had that dodgy haircut.
January 27, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Japanese Hair Salon Names
I usually get my hair cut at “Rabbit” or “King”, but Gaijin Tonic has found some even more unusual names for Japanese hair salons including “Guts” and “Slug”. On the topic of hair, who here goes to a “fast-food” barbershop where they have abo…
January 28, 2008 at 10:58 am
The name SLUG might sound slimy perhaps beacuse the prices are expensive by Shizuoka standards!
January 28, 2008 at 1:36 pm
We have a chain here in Ehime called But’s Hair Japan. Sounds too close to “Butt’s Hair” to attract any foreign clientele. That and it once gave a female friend of mine an excellent 80’s-retro mullet.
January 28, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Yeah, Robert Gilles, that is expensive- I hadn’t noticed. I always go to the 1000 yen place. in my local station.
Deas- I always get given a mullet, too! Probably because I’m only paying 1000 yen.
A friend of mine who doesn’t speak Japanese once used his fingers to gesture that he only wanted a little bit taken off his long locks, but they though he was showing them how short he wanted his hair, and they shaved his head!
January 29, 2008 at 3:33 am
Ok Chris B. Names are just names. KKK salon would be a good name too. Black should not get offended. It’s just a name.
January 29, 2008 at 3:37 am
I guess you’re right. I shouldn’t get woked up over 200,000 people getting incinerated. I need to relax.
I think I will open a salon called Halocaust Hair.
January 29, 2008 at 10:35 am
Listen Jon, If you ever come round my parts ,stop by for a BBQ. I’ll invite Mr.Fujishima (my next door neighbor) who lost his father and older brother in Hiroshima and he can tell you what he told me. ” too many wasted young lives on both sides”. He loves American style Burgers so bring them if you stop by!!
If you think KKK is a winner and the local city council gives you a permit? Go ahead!!
By the way, The fire bombings of Tokyo on March 9/10 1945, killed more civilians than any bomb or bombing in History. So if it were me I’d name my shop something like:
“Tokyo’s on Fire”
Ever been to Gas Panic? Do you know how it got its name?
January 29, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Whoah, I’m staying out of this debate. Never thought a post about hairdressers would generate these kind of responses.
I have to say that argueing about World War 2 through the medium of hair-related puns is frankly surreal.
January 29, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I tend to think God put thinned skinned people on this planet for my personal enjoyment
That said…
sorry for semi-hijacking the thread.
January 29, 2008 at 9:55 pm
No problemo! Have you ever read LetsJapan.org ? It’s full of entertaining arguments.
January 30, 2008 at 1:11 am
I feel the same way Chris B. I was half joking with my original comment. My conclusion was that you were making a big deal so I played along with my KKK salaon jokes.
Obviously you missed it. Oh well.
January 30, 2008 at 11:22 am
“Hairoshima seems like a completely inappropriate name. Kind of insensitive.”
“Ok Chris B. Names are just names. KKK salon would be a good name too. Black should not get offended. It’s just a name.”
“I guess you’re right. I shouldn’t get woked up over 200,000 people getting incinerated. I need to relax.
I think I will open a salon called Halocaust Hair.”
O.K. Jon-boy
January 31, 2008 at 3:58 am
maybe hair salons are gonna be he reason for another worl war….
reminds me that in ‘hitch hikers guide to the galaxy’ shoe shops are the reson for the death of the human race, anyone know what i’m on about? If u don’t u gotta read that book, it’s pure gold
January 31, 2008 at 7:25 am
Your welcome Chris Boy.
January 31, 2008 at 10:25 am
Yeah, Nick, I love Hitchhiker’s Guide. It’s a classic!