Tokyo is a metropolis the place a magnificence obsessive, reminiscent of me, can thrive. Whether or not that is achieved by making an attempt its native therapies, dipping right into a sento or stocking up on the most effective merchandise J-Magnificence has to supply, I’ve compiled an inventory of examined spots and advisable places to look out for if you happen to’re travelling there this summer season.
Tokyo’s finest magnificence locations
Hair
Land Tokyo (through @landtokyo)
The primary suggestion I acquired was for scalp therapeutic massage. A number of folks name-checked Ritts, a headspa in Shibuya that gives each moist and dry scalp therapeutic massage, however I used to be tempted by the providing at Junka Dry Head Spa (additionally in Shibuya), a stone’s throw from the place I used to be staying. The therapeutic massage right here had a eager give attention to the scalp and again of the neck, inducing a direct want for sleep to an in any other case very jet-lagged brain.
I’d additionally heard from these within the know {that a} haircut from Tokyo is the haircut to have. Native favorite Stoop, in Setagaya, combines a hair salon with a espresso store. Having skilled in NYC, the hairdressers there welcome non-Japanese talking clientele and are deft at cuts, colors and coverings. Salon LAND additionally got here extremely advisable, as a spot with glorious technicians in a position to shortly obtain slick kinds in simply as slick an area.
Bathing
Not like onsen baths, which usually exist outdoors the town constructed round scorching springs, sento are public bathhouses with completely different sorts of bathing swimming pools. Stated swimming pools can vary from natural baths or jacuzzi-style pulse baths, or saunas, and typically incorporate train gear. (Some sento take a strict no tattoos coverage and most are cut up by gender.) The 2 advisable to me have been Bunka Yokusen, in Meguro, and Daikoku-yu, in Sumida Metropolis. A 3rd is Yoshino-Yu, which is a bit means out of the town. However its interiors – by Kentaro Imai Architectural Workplace – are properly well worth the journey.
Nails
Naononails (through @naononails)
Personally, I couldn’t think about leaving Tokyo with out a manicure, and shortly acquired 4 superb suggestions. An editor buddy shared her go-to, Disco, based by Nagisa Kaneko and positioned in Shibuya. Additionally in Shibuya, Nail Maison crafts designs with all of the rosettes, pearls, gems, bows and plaid I used to be searching for, executed by supremely gifted nail technicians. One other buddy who lives regionally additionally advisable Naononails, whose hand-painted designs are expertly achieved, taking inspiration from Hi there Kitty or Japanese calligraphy alike. One I’ve bookmarked for the following go to is atelier Sucre, in Shinjuku. Whichever nails you select, I’d advise realizing precisely what you need on arrival and offering your technician with a visible reference.
Procuring
Shu Uemura flagship retailer Tokyo
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Shu Uemura)
The shop of all Japanese magnificence shops is @cosme, in Harajuku. Seasoned buyers head there earlier than nipping over to Matsumoto Kiyoshi, the pharmacy subsequent door. Because the huge Shiseido flagship retailer in Ginza has now closed (although I did make a visit over to the Shiseido Corporate Museum – read my review), I stocked up on Shiseido sunscreen and their Eudermine Activating Essence, a hero product since its debut in 1897.
One other vacation spot with a storied previous is LISN incense. Established in Kyoto in 1705, it shares a 150-stick number of incense in a rainbow array of colors and smells, with glossy up to date holders on provide too. The retail expertise was stunning, and the winding down after an enormous day trip within the metropolis with citrus-scented incense definitely introduced bliss. Final – however no means least – Shu Uemura’s first world flagship retailer in Omotosando is not to be missed; the constructing itself is formed like a large make-up field (impressed by one owned by Mr Uemura himself) and accommodates a wealth of merchandise, instruments and providers not like every other on the earth.
