My fabulous Japanese haircut!!!

Last evening for about two hours, I was in a hair salon. It was the most amazing two hours! After filling out a form with name, address, birthday, etc., I was escorted to the sink where first, my hair was prepared to be washed by subarashii person number 1. A blanket was laid on my lap, I bright yellow cloth was tied about my neck, and a vinyl black fabric was tied about my neck covering the yellow cloth. The hair washer helped me lie down in the chair and gently rested my head in the sink. My face was covered with a light white cloth to keep water from spraying on it. However, before I lay down, he prepared a bath for my hair testing the water for several minutes before it was the right temperature. Then he proceeded to wash my hair for at least 20 minutes! He used at least three different products, asked if the temperature was ok, and continually apologized every time he needed to lift my head. He massaged my scalp and rinsed and rinsed my hair. Afterwards he gently wrapped my head and a bright yellow towel and led me to the next person who would cut it.

Before this entry becomes much to lengthy, as it happens, the person who cut my hair has the same birthday as me - year and all! We discussed which style might work, what I wanted, what he thought would be nice, etc. (all in Japanese). After carefully cutting, my hair was then re-washed/rinsed by a third person who afterwards, brought me back to the haircutting chair where she massaged my head, scalp, temples, neck, and shoulders. WOW! After she finished another woman stared drying my hair and then the man that had cut my hair returned and helped her. I had two people blow drying my hair at the same time! It was heavenly. She left and he finished styling it.

In total, five people helped with the hair cut. It was as if I was at a spa and it certainly was the best 4,000 yen I have spent yet. (They had even given me a 500 yen discount.)