How to Book Beauty & Wellness in Japan

Everything you need to know about reserving salons and spas as an international visitor

Method 1: Online Booking (Easiest)

Many salons in Japan use HotPepper Beautyfor online reservations. While the site is mostly in Japanese, here's how to navigate it:

Use Google Chrome's auto-translate feature to view the page in English
Select your desired date, time, and menu (service)
You'll need to create a free Recruit ID (email registration)
Fill in your name (katakana may be required — use a converter online)
Confirm your booking — you'll receive a confirmation email

Tip: Some facilities listed on NamiFlow have direct booking links. Look for the "Book Now" button on the facility detail page.

Method 2: Phone Reservation

If the facility has English-speaking staff (marked with 🟢 on NamiFlow), calling is often the fastest way to book.

For facilities without English staff, you can:

Ask your hotel concierge to call on your behalf (most hotels offer this)
Use Google Translate's conversation mode during the call
Send an email or message through their website instead

Method 3: Walk-in

Some salons accept walk-ins, especially hair salons and nail salons in busy areas. However:

Head spas — Usually reservation required (sessions are 60-90 min)
Nail salons — Walk-ins sometimes OK, but popular shops book up
Hair salons — Walk-ins more common, but weekends are busy
Esthetics — Almost always reservation required
Onsen spas — The onsen itself is walk-in, but spa treatments need booking

Tip: Check the "Reservation required" info on each facility page before visiting.

Useful Japanese Phrases

Show these on your phone when booking or visiting.

予約をお願いしたいのですが

Yoyaku wo onegai shitai no desu ga

I would like to make a reservation

英語のメニューはありますか？

Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?

Do you have an English menu?

○月○日の○時に予約できますか？

[month] gatsu [day] nichi no [time] ji ni yoyaku dekimasu ka?

Can I book for [date] at [time]?

外国人でも大丈夫ですか？

Gaikokujin demo daijōbu desu ka?

Is it OK for foreigners?

クレジットカードは使えますか？

Kurejitto kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?

Do you accept credit cards?

Payment Tips

Cash is still common — Many smaller salons are cash-only. Bring yen.
Credit cards — Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted. Amex less so.
IC cards — Some accept Suica/Pasmo for payment.
QR payments — PayPay is popular but requires a Japanese phone number.
No tipping — Tipping is not customary in Japan and may cause confusion.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Be on time — Punctuality is very important in Japan. Arrive 5 minutes early.
Shoes off — Some salons ask you to remove shoes at the entrance.
Consultation — Staff will ask about your preferences, allergies, and concerns.
Quiet environment — Japanese salons tend to be quieter than Western ones. Enjoy the calm.
Service is included — The level of care and attention is exceptional by default.

Important Notes

Cancellation policy: Most salons charge a cancellation fee if you cancel within 24 hours. Some charge the full price for no-shows.

Tattoo policy: Some onsen and spa facilities do not allow guests with tattoos. Check before booking, especially for onsen-spa services.

Allergies: If you have skin allergies or sensitivities, inform the staff before treatment. Consider using EatSafe for food allergy communication during your trip.

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