Beyond the Usual Sightseeing:
Not every memorable experience in Japan involves a temple, a meal, or a shopping district. A few genuinely underrated activities, easy to overlook if you’re only following a typical sightseeing itinerary, are worth carving out time for. Here are three worth considering.
Hair Salons
Japanese hair salons have earned a real reputation among visitors for their level of hospitality, skill, and attention to detail, to the point where some travelers plan an appointment specifically as part of their trip, or even travel from abroad specifically for this reason. The experience tends to go well beyond a standard haircut: a thorough consultation, a relaxing scalp massage or wash, meticulous technique, and an overall level of care that many visitors find noticeably different from salons back home.
A number of salons, particularly in Tokyo and other major cities, offer service in English, but a reservation is essential. Walk-ins are uncommon at most salons in Japan, and popular stylists, especially those with English-language support, can book up well in advance, so it’s worth arranging this ahead of your trip rather than assuming you can drop in.
If you’re interested, try searching “美容院 外国人” on YouTube.
Note: “整体 外国人” literally means “Hair Salon Foreigner”
Seitai, Osteopathic Clinics, and Pressure-Point Massage
Seitai (a form of Japanese bodywork focused on structural alignment), osteopathic-style clinics (seikotsuin), and pressure-point massage (tsubo) offer professional, body-literate treatment aimed at addressing back pain, shoulder stiffness, and other chronic physical discomfort. These practitioners tend to have a genuinely deep, practical understanding of musculoskeletal issues, and many visitors find real relief for problems that hadn’t improved much even after visits to doctors back home.
English support is limited at most of these clinics, so you’ll likely need to rely on a translation app or, if available, an interpreter to communicate what’s bothering you and understand the practitioner’s guidance. That said, many visitors who make the effort find it genuinely worthwhile, since the hands-on, targeted nature of the treatment doesn’t always require extensive verbal explanation to be effective.
If you’re interested, try searching “整体 外国人” on YouTube.
Note: “整体 外国人” literally means “Seitai Foreigner”
Vintage and Secondhand Clothing Shops
Secondhand clothing in Japan tends to be remarkably well cleaned, cared for, and curated, to the point where many pieces are wearable straight out of the shop without a second thought. Shimokitazawa, a neighborhood in Tokyo, is the most famous vintage shopping district in the country, packed with secondhand shops ranging from designer resale to eclectic thrift finds, but genuinely good vintage shops and hidden gems exist throughout the country, well beyond that one neighborhood. If you have any real interest in clothing, setting aside a few hours to browse is worth it, since the combination of quality, care, and sheer volume of options makes for a different kind of shopping experience than secondhand stores in many other countries.
If you’re interested, try searching “古着屋 下北沢” on YouTube.
Note: “整体 外国人” literally means “ Secondhand Clothing Shops Shimokitazawa”
Frequently Asked Questions
Not if you choose a salon that specifically offers English-language service, which are increasingly common in Tokyo and other major cities. Booking through the salon’s website or a booking platform, rather than trying to arrange things by phone, is usually the easiest approach.
Many visitors think so, given how hands-on and targeted the treatment tends to be. A translation app can help convey the basics (where it hurts, how long it’s been an issue), and the practitioner’s physical assessment often fills in the rest.
The neighborhood is compact enough to explore on foot, with shops clustered around the main station area, so simply wandering and ducking into anything that catches your eye tends to work better than trying to plan a precise route in advance.
Pricing varies widely. Hair salons and seitai/seikotsuin treatments can range from affordable to premium depending on the specific establishment, and vintage shopping spans everything from bargain thrift finds to higher-end designer resale, so there’s a reasonable option at most budget levels.
Next Steps
If any of these appeal to you, book the hair salon appointment before your trip rather than after you land, set aside an afternoon in Shimokitazawa (or a similar neighborhood) if you enjoy clothes shopping, and don’t rule out a seitai or massage session just because of the language barrier, since a translation app and a bit of patience usually get you through it just fine.
This post is part of an ongoing series on Japan travel planning. Check back for more guides on unique experiences beyond the standard sightseeing route.
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| Rakuten Travel is one of Japan’s largest and most popular domestic travel booking platforms. It features an extensive database of hotels, ryokan, resorts, and other accommodations across Japan, making it an excellent choice for travelers looking to book stays throughout the country. Available in your language. If you’re using a computer, click “Language” in the top-right corner to change the language. If you’re using a smartphone, tap the person icon in the bottom-right corner, then tap “Language” to select your preferred language. |
