The 1000 Yen Haircut in Japan: Great Haircut or Bad Idea?
If you're living in Japan, eventually you'll probably want to or need to get a haircut. But visiting a hair salon or barbershop can be an intimidating, if not downright scary experience when you aren't in your home country.
Japanese hair types and hairstyles might be very different from those in your home country, so you may be worried about whether a hair stylist or barber in Japan will know how to cut and style your hair in a way that suits you. You may not speak much, if any, Japanese, and so you could be stressed about whether you'll even be able to explain how you want your hair cut to the stylist or barber.
And then there's the cost. If you have to spend 5000 yen on a haircut, only for it to come out looking not at all how you wanted it, it can ruin your whole day.
While some of these worries are harder to deal with than others, the cost factor is one that you don't need to worry about if you go to one of the many 1000 yen barbershops found all over Japan, with hundreds of locations in Tokyo alone. These chain barbershops provide fast and cheap haircuts that may be a great option for you if you're looking for a no-frills cut in Japan.
But what exactly does a "1000 yen haircut" mean, and can such a fast and cheap haircut actually be any good? We'll answer that and more as we take a deep dive into the 1000 yen haircut and why you might want to give it a shot while you're in Japan.
So What is the 1000 Yen Cut Anyway?
In Japan, generally speaking, haircuts at hair salons or barbershops are pricey. A haircut at a Tokyo beauty salon can easily set you back 5000 yen for just the cut, not even including shampoo. Even barber shops, which tend to be a bit cheaper than hair salons, can run you around 4000 yen for a cut and shampoo. While some people love getting pampered and shampooed before getting their hair cut, other people just don't have the time, patience, or money for that kind of treatment.
1000 yen haircut barbershops exist for all the people in that second group who don't need anything more than a quick, cheap haircut. While at many hair salons and barbershops a "cut" includes shampooing, blow drying, and styling your hair (and maybe even a head massage) a 1000 yen cut is just that: a cut.
Most of these barbershops will only cut your hair--no shampoo, no blow-dry when you're finished, no styling. You go in, pay by buying a ticket, sit down once a chair is available, get your hair cut in only a few minutes, then head home. The barber will vacuum up all the hair they cut, wipe down the chair, and then invite the next person in line to sit down. It's fast, efficient, and cheap.
The Good and the Bad About the 1000 Yen Haircut
There are a lot of good things going for 1000 yen barbershops, but there are also a few downsides worth knowing before you go. So let's take a quick look at some of the pros and cons of the 1000 yen haircut.
・Haircuts are Very Fast
If you go to a barbershop or beauty salon, you're looking at spending at least thirty minutes to an hour or more there. A 1000 yen barbershop will have you in and out in at most twenty minutes, with many of these shops advertising being able to cut your hair in only ten minutes.
If the particular barbershop is busy or only has a few chairs, your wait time may add to that ten-twenty minute time, so keep that in mind if you are trying to fit in a quick haircut during your lunch break or are otherwise pressed for time.
・The Barbers are Good at Cutting Hair
If you tend to be of the mindset that cheap services equal low-quality results, you'll probably be a little concerned about how these barbershops can be so cheap. Maybe they only hire inexperienced barbers or the barbers that work at these locations must not be good enough to work at a hair salon or their own barbershop. After all, for 1000 yen, there's no way you can get a good haircut, right?
The reality is that the people working at these 1000 yen barbershops are trained professionals the same as anywhere else, and specialize in cutting hair. Because that's all they do every day, they have hours upon hours of experience cutting all kinds of hair and hairstyles.
Of course, each barber is different and there are always going to be varying skill levels, but there is a good chance you'll be paired with one who knows what he or she is doing and will be able to give you the exact cut that you were hoping for. So don't let the cheap price tag scare you away!
・There is No Time for Small Talk
At regular hair salons and barbershops, you'll often find yourself talking to your stylist or barber since it takes time for them to cut and style your hair. But at these 1000 yen barbershops, where you'll only be spending ten to twenty minutes getting your hair cut, there really isn't time for that kind of chit-chat.
If you enjoy talking to your barber or stylist, then this might be a reason not to go to a 1000 yen barbershop. But if small talk makes you uncomfortable or you can't speak Japanese, this can be a huge relief.
・Most Shops Don't Take Reservations
Don't expect to be able to make a reservation at a 1000 yen barbershop, since most don't have any kind of reservation system. Usually, the barbershop will have a ticket vending machine at the entrance where you pay for your cut and receive a ticket. Then you simply hand over the ticket to the barber and they'll start cutting your hair.
As we mentioned earlier, this means that you might need to wait before you get your hair cut, and if that particular barbershop has a line of people waiting you might have to wait for a while. So it's best to go to a 1000 yen barbershop when your schedule is flexible and you don't have to worry about being late for whatever you have planned after getting a haircut.
・You May Not be Able to Pick Your Barber
You may have, after a few visits to these barbershops, finally found one barber who always cuts your hair perfectly. But even if you find the perfect barber for you, depending on the barbershop there's a good chance you will not be able to have that person cut your hair every time you go. Since most 1000 yen barbershops work on a first-come, first-serve basis you will probably have your hair cut by whichever barber is available first, not the one that you'd like to choose.
・It's Best not to use Gel or Styling Products in Your Hair Before You Go
1,000-yen haircut barbershops only do cuts, so they usually do not have any kind of shampoo option. That means that if you visit one and your hair is full of styling products, the barbers may not be able to cut your hair. Be sure to keep in mind that you should probably not use any of these kinds of products before heading to get your hair cut at a 1000 yen barbershop.
1000 Yen Barbershops in Japan
Here are some of the most popular places to get a 1000 yen cut in Japan, along with their current prices. You're bound to be able to find one of these close to you, especially if you live in Tokyo.
・QB House
QB House is the most well-known 1000 yen haircut barbershop and is said to be the original 1000 yen haircut chain. It can be found in cities all across Japan. You can get your hair cut there in ten minutes for 1350 yen.
・Cut Factory
The Cut Factory offers haircuts for 1,000 yen and will have you in and out in ten minutes. Their locations are mostly located in the Kanto region, with a few locations in Tohoku, Aichi, Kansai, and Fukuoka.
・Avanti
At Avanti, a haircut will set you back 1300 yen and take about fifteen minutes. If you only want your bangs cut, it will cost 600 yen and only take about five minutes. Avanti is only located in the Tokyo area.
Should You Get a 1000 Yen Cut?
The answer to this really depends on what you are looking for when it comes to getting a haircut.
If you enjoy the hair salon or barbershop experience and want to be pampered while you get your hair cut, then it might be better for you to go somewhere else to get your hair cut, even if it is more expensive. 1000 yen barbershops don't offer coloring or more complicated styling, so if you want to dye your hair or get a perm you'll need to look elsewhere.
But if all you want is a fast, cheap, no-frills haircut, and you're not concerned about having the same stylist cut your hair every time, then a 1000 yen haircut could be a really great option for you. You'll be in and out in ten minutes and look ready to take on the rest of your day in style.
