Table of Contents for the Cruise Guide
Page headings
- Why are more travelers getting haircuts in Japan?
- Hair salons vs. barbershops vs. quick-cut shops
- 5 tips for a haircut on port day
- Phrases to show at the salon
- Finding a salon near the port
- FAQ
- Source/Reference Information
Cruise Guide
Key points of this page
- Getting a haircut at a Japanese salon or barbershop is becoming a travel highlight for visitors from overseas — thanks to careful consultations, precise technique, spotless shops, and the head massage during the shampoo.
- On a port day, book your appointment by working backward from all-aboard time. A cut alone takes about 1 hour at a salon; color or a perm takes longer.
- Quick-cut shops can cut your hair in about 10 minutes with no appointment — ideal for short port calls or if you don't want to wait.
- No tipping is needed in Japan.
Last verified: October 4, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
A haircut in Japan makes a great travel memory. Just don't forget your all-aboard time!
Why are more travelers getting haircuts in Japan?
More and more travelers are sharing their Japanese salon visits on social media, and hair salons are now reported to be a travel destination in their own right (The Japan Times, April 2026). The reasons most often mentioned:
- A careful consultation to understand exactly what you want
- Precise cutting techniques suited to your hair type
- Spotless shops and attentive service
- A head massage during the shampoo
In Japan, hairdressers and barbers must hold a national license (beautician or barber license) to work.
Hair salons vs. barbershops vs. quick-cut shops
| Hair salon (biyōshitsu) | Barbershop (rihatsu / barber) | Quick-cut shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Services | Cut, color, perm, styling, etc. | Cut, shave, etc. | Cut only (no shampoo or shave) |
| Estimated time | About 1 hour for a cut; 2–3 hours for color or a perm | About 1 hour for a cut and shave | About 10 minutes + waiting time |
| Booking | Booking recommended | Booking recommended (some shops take walk-ins) | No booking. First come, first served |
| Suitable people | Want a proper consultation or a new style | Men's cuts, beard trims and shaves | Want a quick tidy-up on a short port call |
Shaving as a main service is offered at barbershops. Beauty salons may only do light face shaving as part of makeup. Times vary by shop and menu, so check when you book.
5 tips for a haircut on port day
1. Work backward from all-aboard time
- Plan to be back at the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time, and choose your appointment time accordingly.
- Ports where you go ashore by tender boat, or where the ship docks far from town, need extra travel time. Check the list of ports where you can walk into town.
- Ships can arrive late or skip a port. Check the cancellation policy when you book.
2. How to book
- Hot Pepper Beauty is one of Japan's largest salon booking sites. It's in Japanese, but you can book using your browser's translation feature. Searching for words like "English" or 英語対応 (English OK) helps you find salons used to international guests.
- Some salons also take bookings through English websites or social media.
- When you book, tell them your port day, how much time you have, and what you'd like done.
3. Show a photo of the style you want
- Saving a photo of the hairstyle you want on your phone is the most reliable way.
- You can also show the phrases in the table below.
4. Payment
- Many shops accept credit cards, but some are cash only. Check when you book.
- Some quick-cut shops use a ticket machine at the entrance (some take cash only).
5. No tipping
- According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), there is no tipping culture in Japan. You just pay the listed price.
Tell your stylist what time you need to be back on the ship when you book — they'll plan around it!
Phrases to show at the salon
Show the Japanese in this table to the staff.
| English | Japanese | How to say it |
|---|---|---|
| Just a trim, please. | 毛先をそろえてください。 | Kesaki o soroete kudasai. |
| Please cut about 2 cm. | 2センチくらい切ってください。 | Ni-senchi kurai kitte kudasai. |
| Please keep the length. | 長さはこのままでお願いします。 | Nagasa wa kono mama de onegai shimasu. |
| Short on the sides, please. | 横は短くしてください。 | Yoko wa mijikaku shite kudasai. |
| Please don't cut my bangs. | 前髪は切らないでください。 | Maegami wa kiranaide kudasai. |
| Like this photo, please. | この写真のようにしてください。 | Kono shashin no yō ni shite kudasai. |
| I must be back on my ship by 4 p.m. | 午後4時までに船に戻らなければなりません。 | Gogo yo-ji made ni fune ni modoranakereba narimasen. |
| How long will it take? | どのくらい時間がかかりますか？ | Dono kurai jikan ga kakarimasu ka? |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？ | Kādo de haraemasu ka? |
Finding a salon near the port
Near major ports, you'll find salons and barbershops around train stations and shopping centers. We're adding salon information to each port page.
- Yokohama Port・Tokyo Port: easy to fit in before or after your cruise. See also How to spend your time in Yokohama and Tokyo before boarding and after disembarking.
- Kobe Port・Osaka Port・Hakata Port・Naha Port: the terminal is close to the city center, so even a short port day works.
For salon and barbershop owners
cruisefun is collecting information on shops that welcome cruise visitors to Japan. If you offer service in English or quick menus that fit a port day, please let us know via the inquiry form.
FAQ
Q1 Can I get a haircut in Japan if I don't speak Japanese?
Yes. Showing a photo of the style you want is the most reliable way. You can also use the phrases on this page. Some salons accept bookings in English.
Q2 How much time do I need on port day?
Allow about 1 hour for a cut at a salon, and 2–3 hours for color or a perm. Add travel time, and plan to be back at the port 1 hour before all-aboard time. On a short port day, a 10-minute quick-cut shop is another option.
Q3 Is a tip necessary?
No. Tipping is not customary in Japan — you simply pay the listed price.
Q4 Can I get a shave too?
Barbershops are where shaving is offered as a main service. Beauty salons may only do light face shaving as part of makeup. Quick-cut shops do not offer shaving.
Source/Reference Information
- The Japan Times, "Japan's latest tourist destination: hair salons" (April 19, 2026)
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) “Tipping in Japan”
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Outline of the Beautician Act", "Regarding the application of the Barber Law and the Beautician Law"
- QB HOUSE "Guide" (example of a quick-cut shop: no booking, cut only, about 10 minutes)
- Hot Pepper Beauty (salon booking site, in Japanese)
Last checked: October 4, 2026. Prices and times vary by shop. If you notice anything, please let us know through reviews or our contact form.