Sunday, November 6, 2011

These are a few of my favorite things.

I have visited Japan so many times since I lived here from 1972 to 1974.I have been to many of the beautiful and historic sites around the country including of course Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo. I have been to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji and seen the Golden Pavillion at least 5 times. And I can see it another 5 times.  
There are many many other wonderful things about Japan that I love. One of the everyday normal things that all of us do is get a haircut. Please, if you ever come to Japan, treat yourself and experience a pampering that we just don’t get in the states, or at least, I don’t know where you would find it. Around the corner from our ABHotel is the Apple Salon which I’ve gone to previously. As usual I was warmly greeted and immediately relieved of my purse and other packages which were then stowed safely behind the counter.Then on to the chair for a brief consultation and then to the shampoo chair. The very kind and gentle young lady that does the shampoo covered my lap with a cozy plush wrap to keep away any draft and also, if I were wearing a skirt, to protect my modesty. This is a necessary ritual because the chair goes all the way back and your feet are up; you know how at your local salon you have to lean back and find the hard well for your neck and your back is contorted and then you strain to keep the weight of you head from not dropping all the way in that well of the sink and in about 30 seconds everthing hurts and you just want to sit up straight again? Well, that is just not the case here. The chairs in Japan are full length recliners and the upper part of the recliner supports the neck the entire time. Relax. The gentle young lady carefully drapes a light towel over your face and by the way, announces her every move. <I’m putting the chair back now; I’m draping your face now; I.m starting the shampoo now; Is the water allright? (it always is!)Then the shampoo begins and you enter the dream zone. The shampoo takes at least 5 minutes and you feel as though your scalp is getting a gently facial, or scalpcial?? After the extensive rinse, the whole process repeats and all the while you are getting a wonderful massage. Remember, your neck is not hurting at all. I don’t even want a haircut anymore. Finally, after having a pleasingly hot towel placed around your neck, you are led to the stylist’s chair and the cut begins along with the customary small talk and when that is done, -you get another shampoo!!to rinse out any stray pieces of hair and prepare the hair for styling. However, before the blow-dry, the stylist gives you a brief, 10 minute shoulder and head massage.I love this country! Afterwards, you, the customer, are thanked profusely for your, the customer’s, patience and perseverence through the ordeal just suffered, and lastly for your patronage.My haircut cost 4500¥, about $50; tipping is not required.
There will be no photos of this to follow.