Top 9 Best English Speaking Hair Salons in Osaka (Updated August 2023)

Foreigners in Japan

One thing I remember clearly about my first experience living in Japan was walking down a fairly residential street and passing 7 hair salons. Surely 7 hair salons within 500m of each other couldn’t stay in business for very long, yet that is the current landscape of the beauty industry in Japan. While this makes the business side quite unforgiving for salons, the level of service and skill customers can experience is of the highest level due to the competitive nature of salons these days. Already holding such high standards of customer service and this wild beauty scene, Japan makes enjoying a wonderful salon experience quite easy.

Being a foreigner in Japan is no easy task. Lacking perfect Japanese, sticking out like a sore thumb, getting lost trying to use the expansive public transportation system, all of these things can make just leaving the house nerve wracking at times, let alone trying to schedule a hair appointment. That being said, Japan is becoming more and more of a globally connected country culturally and economically.

More and more work and travel opportunities are appearing, and the number of foreigners residing in Japan is at an all time high reaching 2.75 million people at 2.2% of the total population. (Source: Japaneveryday.jp). Also a huge amount of the foreigners living in Japan are between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. The more foreigners in Japan, the more people that are looking for a good cut, and the more salons that are looking to grow their foreign customer base.

Source:japan-zone.com

All About Osaka

One of the fastest growing areas now in Japan is Osaka, with about 2.72 million people as of 2019, coming in at the 3rd largest city in Japan, behind Yokohama with 3.7 million. However while Yokohama has over 4000 salons in the city area, Osaka hosts a whopping 6000 throughout the 24 wards. On top of that, it’s estimated that there are around 300 new salons starting up each year. Finding a suitable salon out of such a massive selection is difficult, so we did the research. Our expert team having interviewed about 1000 salons throughout Japan has collected a list of 9 salons in Osaka worth the time to visit.

Osaka’s salons have a specific character, compared to many sleek modern salons in Tokyo and Yokohama, the Osaka salons have a warm inviting vibe. This may come from Osaka’s very friendly and forward culture, adding an authentic and real vibe to these salons. But being so friendly doesn’t mean the techniques and treatments here don’t compare to Tokyo’s insane standards. These salons are the real deal, and rival any top salons in the world.

Places to Go in the Chuo Ward

Out of the 24 wards in Osaka, Chuo is the biggest in terms of salons with over 1000 locations here. Before you hit the salon, there are so many places to see and things to do in the Chuo Ward. Osaka’s famous castle is located here. Originally built in the 16th century, this castle is rich with history. From samurai power struggles to becoming the biggest arsenal in Japan during WWII, the fully restored castle is now a museum attracting foreigners and Japanese alike from all around. Another great spot is Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s premiere shopping district. This area can stand up to the impressive Minato ward in Tokyo near Harajuku and Shinjuku. Don’t count out the iconic Dontonbori river area, it is really beautiful especially at night. These areas are sure to impress as you explore the beauty battle ground that is Chuo.

Source: osaka-info.jp/en

Although the rest of the wards are hard to compare to the wonderful Chuo area, there are many outstanding salons throughout Osaka, even in more residential areas. Starting with the Kita ward, this ward balances modern high-rises and lush green parks. While less busy than Chuo with less tourist attractions, Kita is truly the heart of Osaka’s business. Pop into a small café or chill out at a park. This ward gives you a true sense of everyday Japan.

Source: favy-jp.com

9 Great English Speaking Salons

Being a foreigner in Japan can be difficult, but not everything has to be that way. Dive in and give one of these salons a shot, you won’t be disappointed.

All of the salons have their information written below with links to their websites. You’re able to make online reservations for most salons in Japan these days, so it makes it a little less intimidating, not worrying about making phone calls in Japanese. Schedules fill up quickly so please make a reservation asap.

alotta Umeda

Open, Private Rooms

This salon’s original shop is in Tokyo, and is one of my personal favorites. While this isn’t necessarily an English speaking salon, they are used to serving foreigners, and the shop has translation devices on hand to make sure they can communicate with their foreign customers, as well as a receptionist who can speak English. In this sense, if you’re first language isn’t English, this might be a better salon for you since the translation devices can do all of the world’s major languages. A great part of this salon is the private room that you can get during your appointment. You can relax and enjoy your time here without worrying about who’s sitting next to you. Definitely check it out!

Hair Products for Days

The most unique, and one of the most attractive parts of the salon is the full hair product shop at the front of the store. Here you’ll find a bunch of professional grade products that’ll fit your needs no matter what kind of hair you have. They also have things like hair dryers and even nail items, so it’s really a one stop shop. Please check out this awesome salon as it’s one of my go-tos.

Eclat

Fashionable and Trendy

A private salon with only 4 seats, this salon is very popular especially among working women, although you’ll all kinds of people coming here. Many customers here enjoy the fact that the whole process is 1 on 1 from start to finish. The stylists will work with you to find the best style, diagnose any hair problems or issues, and then get to work creating a style. The technique here is unmatched, and you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out all of the reviews online. This isn’t a spot that leaves you disappointed.

Outstanding Technique

At Eclat, emphasis is placed on the inner cut, which adjusts the volume of the hair that you usually don’t see. This ensures the weight placement matches the facial structure, keeping the volume only where it needs to be. Each stylist takes into consideration how the hair naturally flows and falls, and makes proper adjustments accordingly. Their masterful techniques keeps customers coming back time and time again. Since it’s a smaller salon, we definitely recommend making an appointment asap, so check out the online reservation service and book your spot soon!

TITY

Popular with Students

TITY is a trendy salon popular among many college students who come for the student discounts. The feel of this salon is very modern. Despite the space not being so large, with the big retro decals on the windows contrasting with large full-body floor mirrors, this upper floor salon looking out on Osaka feels spacious. Attracting many foreign customers, this friendly salon has a wide variety of options to make sure you end up with exactly the style you want.

Wonderful Coloring Techniques

This store has really reasonable prices, but the techniques are there. Since many young people come here, coloring is very popular. These days you will see a lot unique and edgy colors, which this salon does masterfully, but of course they are also versed in more traditional coloring. Using great products, and carefully applying colors, you can get your hair dyed without it looking flat and monotone. They can build up layers and depth in your hair, leaving you with a beautiful style at the end. Check out their website below! If you can read Japanese, or translate the page, they have a interesting blog often featuring what the stylists did on their day off, or recent fashion trends or purchases of the stylists. If you’re interested, you should definitely make a reservation.

Assort Osaka

Worldwide Salon

This salon is run by an extremely successful line of salons throughout the world. Stationed in Tokyo, the assort group has grown branches world wide, including major city centers like NY, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam. Also since June 2023, this salon has updated it’s look and services. Well versed in treating western customers as well as customers from around Asia, being able to communicate in English is a given. This salon will put your worries to rest as an English speaker.

Quality is Key

Their skills don’t stop at breaking language barriers, the techniques here are top quality having a large library of skills acquired world-wide. Also in terms of making the reservation in English this salon is really easy to book, as there is an online option specifically in English. With a wide customer range of men and women, Japanese and foreigners, this place will surely impress. Of course when it comes to the schedule, it might not be the easiest to book, so if you find a spot that works for you please make your reservation quickly before it gets taken!

Craive New York

Cool Layout

The interior of this salon is super interesting. The building is curved with tall windows, and the salon seats are facing outwards. This is definitely nice during the day, and since the space isn’t necessarily large, the windows really create a spacious and inviting atmosphere. While you’re relaxing and getting your hair cut, you can just watch the sky outside and enjoy the atmosphere of Japan.

Great English Service

Craive is widely popular among English speaking foreigners in Osaka. The staff here are well known for being friendly and helpful, doing everything they can to reach your best outcome. The feeling of the salon is modern, but with a unmistakable Japanese sense. With an outstanding array of options on the menus, this salon does it all. The fashionable atmosphere and the view of Osaka matched with the wonderful service, this salon will leave you glowing when you walk out with an amazing cut.

K Studio New York

Great Style

Featuring a quirky color scheme, this cozy salon mixes takes modern lines and adds a bit of funk. With over 20 years in the game, this salon is definitely not like the rest. You can get everything done here from special hair treatments to perms, and even a head spa. If you haven’t heard of the Japanese head spas, please do some research. It’s a huge draw for Japanese customers and it’s so relaxing, I highly recommend trying one out. All that aside,K Studio is one of the top spots in Osaka, and this salon will leave you satisfied with a trendy cut and outstanding service.

New York City Style

I really wanted to point out the over 20 years of service part again. 20 years of those services were in the heart of NYC on Madison Ave. Clearly having worked overseas for that amount of time, English is obviously not an issue in the slightest. Plus working in a city like NY means serving different kinds of people from all over the world. You can trust that having that experience means the technique is at the highest level. Definitely give this place a shot.

Unreve

Amazing Hair Styling

The Unreve goal is creating the customer’s ideal look. Meeting with the hair designer Mizuai, he talks about how Unreve’s approach to styling prioritizes the customer’s “want to be” rather than just what “looks good.” It’s easy to just create a style that looks good, but what keeps customers coming back is Unreve’s ability to really capture what the customers want, rather than just create something that simply suits the customer.

Professional and Precise

Of course, prioritizing the customers ideal imagine doesn’t mean ignoring things like balancing facial structure and natural hair tendencies. This isn’t easy, but Unreve’s ability and professional cutting techniques make creating outstanding textures and precise weight placement possible. You can trust they will do everything they can to create the best outcome with the closest match.

unopulir at HERBIS PLAZA

No-compromise Service

Conveniently located in the heart of the city, this salon just recently opened in Osaka. With hairdressers who have experience working in big overseas places like New York, this salon offers a no-compromise service, what you want is what you get. Cuts, colors, perms, this salon offers many options. Don’t trust my word for it, definitely give this place a try.

Modern and Up-to-date

Having stores in New York and Tokyo, this salon is well connected with new trends and techniques. The owner of the salon frequently travels between these branches to offer his knowledge and techniques to the staff, not to mention, this salon is a total beauty salon. And it goes without saying that the English services here are great. You don’t have to worry about a language barrier at unopulir. Come here for a great haircut, or if you’re looking to try out some lashes, nails, or luxury hair treatments definitely give this salon a try.

Hair Mission

A Reliable Option

Boasting an open concept, this classy feeling salon has a very modern atmosphere with stark natural materials and mixed woods contrasting with the bright faces of the staff. ‘hair Mission’ is a fully equipped salon with a head spa, nail and lash salon and a kids room if you’re short on a baby sitter for your appointment. On top of all that, the prices are unbeatable. With great pricing from a cut to a perm or color, you can really get the whole deal here. However if you’re a man don’t let that scare you away, hair Mission has a full menu of options for men as well.

Sit Back and Relax

Hair Mission in Umeda is a top quality salon and spa. This relaxing and luxurious spot in Osaka strives to balance every individuals facial structure to the cut, and starts by trying to make the hair healthy to create a beautiful style. This goes without saying, but of course the stylists scissor skills can only carry unhealthy hair so far. Healthy hair always looks beautiful, and they really take this approach when dealing with customers. This modern salon will relax an draw out your inner beauty and outer beauty, leaving you refreshed and ready to carry out the week.