I go in and feebly speak Japanese. It is okay that I don’t have an appointment. I sit down and there is a lot of gesturing and saying of English words in Katakana style “Paruto” (part) plus lots of gestures. He gets the gist. Then he cuts my hair. There are a lot of cover things he tucks into my shirt, way more than just the full neck cape thing in America. There is a warm towel as well. The Japanese have really mastered and use Warm Towel Technology™ very well. He cuts away with a variety of scissors, I don’t have my glasses on so I don’t exactly know what is going on here, and then indicates around the ears. I say yes, he cuts more. Then, a tense moment, my glasses come back on and I look. Wow I look good. I am happy. He says something to me in Japanese. I am so happy I look good I just say Okay! Bam! I am on my back experiencing more of what Hot Towel Technology™ has to offer. Then he gives me a shave with a straight razor. It was rather pleasant. Then they offer to shampoo my newly cut hair – I decline. Then they offer to put stuff in my hair – I decline. Then they offer to blow dry my hair – I accept. Afterward a guy gets my coat and helps me into it. I felt like a VIP. It will be hard to adapt when I start getting my hair cut by Chris again. I will be snapping my fingers and yelling “Zach get my coat…”
It was a bit pricey by American standards of a haircut, it was $35 (3500 yen). But that is about par for the basic haircut here.