“I’m living in Japan, but I’m a little nervous about going to a salon.” “I want to get my hair done while traveling, but I’m worried about the language.” I hear these concerns from international guests more often than you might think. But if you’re reading this now, please know — you can relax. I’ve worked in London and Tokyo (Omotesando), and I’ve had the opportunity to work with people from all over the world. Different hair types, cultures, and values — I’ve gained a lot of experience adapting to that diversity. Don’t Worry About the Language Barrier I speak both Japanese and English. Even if your language is different, […]

Why Do We Only Act “After the Damage Is Done”? In the world of beauty, the idea of “prevention” has existed for a long time. UV care, scalp care, anti-aging care… all are done for the sake of the future. But in reality, most people take action only after something has happened— “Using treatment after hair becomes dry,” or “Searching for hair growth products after noticing hair loss.” Ideally, care should start before the problem arises. But somehow, preventive beauty still hasn’t become the norm. ⸻ Is There More Profit in “Fixing It After It Breaks”? It may be uncomfortable to admit, but in the beauty industry, there’s a structure […]

“Hair salons make me feel a little nervous.” I’ve heard this more times than you might think. Everyone feels differently about the distance between themselves and a hairdresser. Some people don’t feel like talking at all, while others feel they have to keep the conversation going out of politeness. But I believe that salons should be a space where it’s okay to stay silent. During the consultation, I always listen carefully. But after that, you really don’t need to talk if you don’t feel like it. Even in silence, your hair says so much. Split ends, how your hair dries, your natural parting, the thickness and weight— they all quietly […]

“I have curly hair… and honestly, I don’t know what to do with it.” That’s something I often hear during consultations. Wavy, frizzy, hard to manage. Affected by humidity. Can’t live without a flat iron. Curly hair comes with many deeply personal challenges. But I don’t see curly hair as a negative. In fact, I believe there’s beauty in the natural movement and expression that only curls can create. What matters is not trying to “fix” the curls— but reading them, and designing a haircut that works with them. How the hair moves. How it reacts to humidity. How different it looks when wet vs. dry. — These patterns are […]

Hairstyles in Your 40s: It’s Not About Looking Younger—It’s About Looking Truly Beautiful. “I just don’t know what kind of hairstyle suits me anymore.” This is something I often hear from clients in their 40s and 50s. Behind that, I sense a deeper feeling— “I don’t want to look older,” but also, “I don’t want to force myself to look younger.” As a hairstylist, I truly believe this: Rather than chasing a “younger look,” we should be discovering the hairstyle that makes you look your best, your most authentic self. Of course, hairstyles can change your overall appearance dramatically. But it shouldn’t be about tricks to look young—it should be […]

Quality time with each guest, not just quantity I only take up to two guests a day—one in the morning, one in the afternoon. That’s it. “Wouldn’t you earn more if you took more clients?” I get asked that sometimes. But for me, what’s far more important is truly facing each guest—their hair and their life. It’s not just about cutting hair A haircut isn’t just about making things neat. I always imagine the scenes ahead in your life—who you’ll meet, where you’re going, and how you want to feel—while I cut. Creating a hairstyle that fits your life—not just your face—takes time. No rushing. No assembly line. That’s why […]

Have you ever felt this way? Lately, your hairstyle just doesn’t feel right. It used to suit you, but now something feels off. Every time you look in the mirror, there’s a little sense of, “Hmm…” It might not just be because you’re bored with it or it’s grown out— your current mood or lifestyle may be slightly out of sync with your hairstyle. When your hairstyle doesn’t match who you are now, it feels off Hair isn’t just about looks. Your mood, work rhythm, lifestyle, and even subtle value shifts— when these are out of alignment with your hairstyle, even a polished look might not feel right. Sometimes, when […]

Introduction Do you think of “scalp care” and “hair care” as separate things? To grow healthy hair, a healthy scalp is absolutely essential. Even if your hair looks beautiful, if the scalp—the foundation—is unhealthy, that beauty will be only temporary. Furthermore, good blood circulation is key to maintaining scalp health. For blood to flow properly to the hair roots, your overall physical health and daily habits also play a role. Scalp issues may not be life-threatening, but they can progress silently, much like a disease. That’s why, from a beauty perspective as well, I believe that “prevention” is extremely important. With that in mind, let me share the key points […]

A Counseling Session That Respects Your True Feelings Have you ever felt this way when going to a hair salon? – Worried that the stylist won’t understand your thoughts – Unsure how to express what you want – Not quite satisfied with the result, but can’t explain why I completely understand those feelings. That’s why I value “listening” more than anything else. In the initial consultation, I take my time to listen closely so I can truly understand how you feel. Of course, if you don’t feel like talking, there’s no pressure to say anything. But if needed, I’m happy to listen for 30 minutes or even an hour—whatever it […]

Introduction After a hair color, perm, or straightening treatment, chemical residues always remain on the scalp and hair. These cannot be removed with just hot water, shampoo, or hair treatments. If left untreated, these residues can cause the following negative effects: Increased gray hair Progressive hair thinning Allergic skin reactions Reduced longevity of color, perm, or straightening Hair damage such as tangling and dryness At Hairdresser Taka, I perform a detoxifying After-Chemical Cleanse for all clients who receive coloring, perming, or straightening treatments. Here is a simple explanation of why this step is essential and what I value most in the process. 1. Removing Hydrogen Peroxide Among the chemical residues, […]