About Hairdresser Taka

About Hairdresser Taka

Hello.
I’m Hairdresser Taka.

Thank you very much for visiting my website and taking the time to learn more about me.

When choosing a hair salon, many people consider things such as technical skill, positive reviews, or a convenient location.

Of course, all of these are important factors.

However, I believe the most important part of choosing a hairdresser is whether you feel,

“I think I can trust this person with my hair.”

Hair has a significant influence on the way a person looks and feels.

That is why I believe it is important to understand not only a hairdresser’s skills and prices, but also the values and ideas behind their work.

Through this page, I hope you can learn more about the experience I have gained and the way I approach each client and their hair.

Experience Built in Tokyo and London

I began my career as a hairdresser in 2010.

I trained and developed my skills at PEEK-A-BOO in Omotesando, Tokyo, where the cutting philosophy is based on the internationally recognised techniques of Vidal Sassoon.

I learned not only the precise technical foundations of haircutting, but also how to create shape according to each person’s bone structure and hair texture.

How to make the hair look beautiful even when it moves.

How to create a hairstyle that remains manageable after the client leaves the salon.

In Tokyo, I developed the technical skills and way of thinking that I believe are essential for a professional hairdresser.

In 2018, I moved to London, where I worked as a hairdresser for five years.

As an Art Director, I worked with clients while also training and supporting the development of other hairdressers.

I worked alongside hairdressers from many different countries and looked after clients from all over the world.

Language, culture, hair texture, and personal ideas of beauty.

Things that may be considered normal in Japan are not always seen in the same way overseas.

Likewise, many ideas that are common abroad are not always familiar in Japan.

The detailed and precise techniques I developed in Japan, together with the diverse perspectives I gained in London.

I now use both to create and recommend hairstyles suited to each individual client.

Tokyo.

London.

And now, Okinawa.

I am currently based in Yomitan, Okinawa.

My experience working as a hairdresser among different cultures and values has become the foundation of my current techniques and approach.

Every Person Has Different Hair, Culture, and Values

Throughout my career, I have worked with more than 10,000 clients.

I have looked after not only Japanese clients, but also people from many different countries and regions around the world.

Everyone’s hair is different.

The strength of the natural curl.

The amount of hair.

Fine or thick strands.

Soft or coarse texture.

Hair that becomes dry easily.

Hair that expands or becomes difficult to control.

The shape of the head and bone structure.

The direction in which the hair grows and naturally falls.

Even when two hairstyles appear similar, the cutting technique required may be completely different.

People also have different ideas about how they want to wear and manage their hair.

Some enjoy styling their hair carefully every morning.

Some want to spend as little time as possible on their hair.

Some have restrictions on hairstyles because of their work.

Some need to tie their hair up regularly.

Some are raising children and want to make their morning routine as quick as possible.

A hairstyle should not be decided by looking at hair texture alone.

It is also important to consider the person’s lifestyle, values, and personal preferences.

I adapt each service to the client’s hair texture, bone structure, and personal relationship with their hair.

This is one of the principles I value most as a hairdresser.

A “Flattering Hairstyle” Should Not Be Decided by the Hairdresser Alone

“This hairstyle will suit you.”

It is probably something most hairdressers have said at least once.

However, my way of thinking is slightly different.

Of course, as a professional hairdresser, I can recommend hairstyles after considering your facial features, bone structure, and hair texture.

However, what matters most is not simply whether the hairdresser decides that a style looks good on you.

What matters is how you feel when you look in the mirror.

“I like this.”

“This feels like me.”

“I want to live my everyday life with this hairstyle.”

That feeling is what matters.

It should not be a hairstyle chosen only because it is fashionable.

It should not be created simply to satisfy the hairdresser’s own artistic preferences.

It should not be chosen only because it is popular on social media.

A hairstyle that helps you feel a little more positive about yourself.

A hair design that feels natural and comfortable for who you are today.

I believe a hairdresser’s role is to discover that together with you and bring it to life.

I Place Great Importance on the Consultation

“I don’t know how to explain the hairstyle I want.”

“Something about my current hairstyle does not feel quite right.”

“I don’t know what suits me.”

“I have a hairstyle in mind, but I’m not sure whether it will work with my hair.”

Many clients arrive at the salon with these kinds of concerns.

That is why I place great importance on the consultation before I begin cutting the hair.

You do not need to decide on the perfect hairstyle before visiting the salon.

You also do not need to explain your ideas using professional hairdressing terminology.

What can be understood from a reference photo.

What cannot be understood from a photo alone.

Your everyday lifestyle.

How much time you can spend styling your hair in the morning.

How you need to wear your hair at work.

The clothes you usually wear.

Problems you have experienced at salons in the past.

The concerns you have about your current hair.

And feelings that you may not yet be able to clearly put into words.

We gradually organise these details together and consider what kind of hairstyle would be most suitable for you.

It is not about leaving every decision to the hairdresser, nor is it about expecting you to find all the answers alone.

It is time for us to share our thoughts and create a hairstyle that you genuinely feel comfortable with.

That is what a consultation means to me.

Hairdressing Skills Should Support Your Everyday Life

A hairstyle that looks beautiful only immediately after leaving the salon.

I do not believe that is enough.

A hairdresser can create a polished finish using professional blow-drying techniques or styling irons.

However, what truly matters begins the following day.

Your hair should remain manageable after you wash and dry it yourself at home.

It should be easy to arrange quickly before work.

On your days off, you should be able to enjoy a relaxed and natural hairstyle.

Even when humidity or wind causes the hair to move, the overall shape should not collapse easily.

Your hair should not become a source of stress on busy mornings.

These are the kinds of hairstyles I aim to create.

There is an idea that is central to my work.

Wash and Go

A hairstyle that naturally falls into shape in around three minutes after washing and drying.

Of course, you can use styling irons or wax to enjoy a different finish when you want to.

However, the hairstyle should not depend on using those tools every day.

Manageable even without extensive styling.

Even more polished with only a small amount of effort.

I consider not only how the hairstyle looks in the salon, but also how easily you can recreate and manage it at home.

A Haircut Is More Than Simply Making the Hair Shorter

A haircut is sometimes seen as a service that simply makes the hair shorter.

However, a true haircut is about much more than changing the length.

Where should the weight of the hair remain?

Which areas should appear lighter?

How should the shape complement the face?

What kind of expression should the hair create when it moves?

How will the shape change as the hair grows?

I design each hairstyle while considering all of these elements.

Even at the same length, the impression can change dramatically depending on the cutting technique.

The hair can be made to appear softer.

It can also be made to look sharper and more defined.

A haircut can create the appearance of greater fullness, or reduce the appearance of excessive volume.

That is why I focus not only on length, but also on shape.

I Do Not Recommend Unnecessary Services

Hair salons offer many different services.

Hair colouring.

Perms.

Hair straightening.

Each service has its own benefits.

However, receiving more services does not necessarily lead to a better result.

Is this service genuinely necessary for your hair right now?

Would it place too much stress on the current condition of your hair?

Could the concern be resolved with a haircut alone?

Would another approach be more suitable for your lifestyle?

These are questions I consider carefully every time.

Even when a client asks about a particular service, I may say,

“A haircut will be enough this time.”

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to have a perm at the moment.”

I believe it is more important to give honest advice than to increase the number of services.

I consider not only the immediate result, but also the future condition of your hair.

I believe this is part of my responsibility as a hairdresser whom clients can trust with their hair over the long term.

Every Appointment Is Completely One-to-One

I personally look after every stage of your appointment, from the consultation through to the final styling.

You will not be passed between several hairdressers or assistants during your visit.

I remain fully aware of the preferences and concerns discussed at the beginning of the appointment throughout the entire service.

Rather than looking after several clients at the same time, I reserve the time needed to focus properly on each person.

For clients who prefer to spend their appointment quietly.

For those who do not feel comfortable making conversation with a hairdresser.

For those who want to discuss their concerns without worrying about the people around them.

For those who would like enough time to talk carefully about their hair.

I aim to provide an environment where every client can feel relaxed and comfortable.

You are not expected to make conversation throughout your appointment.

It is completely fine to spend your time quietly.

I will carefully confirm the necessary details while respecting the level of communication that feels comfortable for you.

I Want People Who Feel Uncomfortable in Hair Salons to Feel at Ease

Not everyone enjoys visiting a hair salon.

Some people do not know what to talk about.

Some find it difficult to explain what they want.

Some have previously experienced having their hair cut much shorter than expected.

Some have had their preferences dismissed or criticised by a hairdresser.

Some feel uncomfortable when products or additional services are strongly recommended.

Some become tired when spending a long time in a busy environment with many people.

There are many reasons why someone may feel nervous or uncomfortable in a hair salon.

You do not need professional knowledge about hair.

It is also completely fine if you have not yet decided what you want.

You do not need to have a long conversation with your hairdresser.

We can begin by looking at the current condition of your hair and discussing the difficulties you experience in everyday life.

I want to be a hairdresser whom even people who feel uncomfortable in salons can trust with their hair.

I Want to Be a Hairdresser You Can Rely on for Many Years

A hair salon is not simply a place to have your hair arranged once.

Hair grows.

The seasons change.

Your work or lifestyle may also change.

As you get older, the condition of your hair and scalp may change as well.

When your clothes or personal preferences change, the hairstyle that feels right for you may also change.

That is why it is important not simply to repeat exactly the same hairstyle every time, but to gradually adapt it to suit who you are at that moment.

Was the previous hairstyle easy to manage at home?

Did it feel slightly too heavy?

Would it have been better to leave a little more length?

What should be changed at the next appointment?

Some things only become clear when I have the opportunity to look after your hair over time.

I want to be a hairdresser who can consider the changes in your hair and lifestyle together with you.

Several years from now, and even ten years from now,

“I would like Taka to look after my hair again.”

That is the kind of long-term relationship I hope to build with my clients.

Consultations and Services Are Available in English

Having worked as a hairdresser in London for five years, I can provide consultations and services in English.

International residents living in Okinawa.

Members of the US military community and their families.

Visitors travelling in Japan.

Japanese clients who have spent a significant amount of time living overseas.

People who are interested in visiting a Japanese hair salon but are worried about the language barrier.

If you would prefer to explain your hairstyle, preferences, or concerns in English, please feel comfortable getting in touch.

Ideas about hairstyles and salon customs can vary depending on a person’s country and cultural background.

Something considered normal in a Japanese salon may not be familiar or easy to understand for an international client.

Likewise, a request that is common overseas may not always be understood clearly in Japan.

I understand these differences and will not proceed with a service without first confirming the important details with you.

For languages other than English, translation applications can also be used when necessary.

The most important thing is not that we speak exactly the same language perfectly.

What matters is confirming each other’s ideas and sharing a clear understanding of the intended result.

Even when there are differences in language or culture, I take the time to communicate until we both feel comfortable with the plan.

I Look Forward to Welcoming You in Yomitan, Okinawa

I currently provide my services from a dedicated space within a hair salon in Yomitan, Okinawa.

Unlike a large salon, I do not work with several clients at the same time.

Each appointment is completely one-to-one, and I personally look after you from the consultation through to the final styling.

For those looking for a new hairdresser in Okinawa.

For those looking for a salon they can continue visiting in Yomitan or central Okinawa.

For those who want a haircut suited to their natural texture and curl pattern.

For those looking for a hairdresser who can communicate in a language other than Japanese.

For those who feel unsure about explaining what they want in a hair salon.

For those who would like their hair to feel a little easier to manage each morning.

I would be very happy if you chose to place your trust in me.

Finally

What I value as a hairdresser is not simply fashionable trends or impressive words.

Taking every client seriously and giving them my full attention.

Carefully observing their hair texture and bone structure.

Considering not only the words they say, but also the feelings and experiences behind them.

Continuing to improve my haircutting skills.

Not recommending services that are unnecessary.

Creating hairstyles that remain manageable in everyday life after the client leaves the salon.

These are the principles I continue to value in my work.

A hairstyle may not change every part of your life.

Even so, it may help you feel a little better when you look in the mirror.

It may make meeting other people feel a little more enjoyable.

It may make your morning routine slightly easier.

It may make you want to try wearing something new.

It may help you feel a little more confident in a different version of yourself.

I believe a hairstyle has the power to create these small but meaningful changes.

It does not need to be a dramatic transformation.

Feeling a little more positive about your hair.

Feeling a little more comfortable being yourself.

Your hairstyle is something you see in the mirror every day.

That is why I would be happy to work with you to create a hair design that helps you feel a little better each morning.

I sincerely look forward to meeting you in Yomitan, Okinawa.

Taka

Taka giving a precise haircut during a one-on-one session at his salon