Off-base Hair Salons

I think pretty much everyone agrees that a good haircut isn't absolutely essential for living like say, oxygen is, BUT a good haircut can definitely increase one's quality of life or level of cheeriness.  Don't we all feel better when we've had a good "hair day?"  So, on that note, let's help out Rebecca's quest for more good hair days on the island, shall we?

     "I was wondering where people get their hair cut out in town? I've had a couple not so good experiences on base and i would really like to try going out somewhere but I don't want to trust my mane to yet another butcher!! If you could put the question out there that would be great, I'd love to hear where people are going!!"

Comments

[Staci]

Good post. I love "RYO" on Kadena (the salon next to the gas station. He is amazing. Trained and lived in Tokyo. Has the groovy belt o scissors, don't expect a chat. He takes his art seriously. 633-9251. LOVE him.

[Kimberly]

I got a great cut from the woman at Cocok's. I'm terrible with names, but there are only two stylists and one is a man, Mr. Miyagi, so it's not him. However, I've not been able to get back in to see her because she books up quickly and I'm always waiting until the last minute and expecting to get in TODAY. 098-936-7807

[Kate]

If your willing to venture into the world of Japanese hair salons I go to `A-One` in Chatan (ph. 098 926 0844). Some of their staff members speak some English, but nobody is fluent - you need to be patient and make yourself clearly understood. That said, all the staff are super friendly and helpful. If you take a picture in of what you want, even better. A-One is on the same street that Araha Beach and Hamby Town San-A are on. Head on that street towards Naha. A-One is on the left side, just before an intersection.

[aviva]

Miyagi-San (the guy at Cocok on Rte 23) cuts my hair and I love him. He's meticulous and sweet. Not much English but when you go there the first time the front desk girl comes with you to translate so you can explain exactly what you want. He is fabulous - and Kim, you're right - the woman's good too, but I don't know her name.

I have curly hair, so it was tough for me to go out in town (I know most Japanese do NOT have curly hair) but even Miyagi-San quickly understood that it bounces up shorter when it's dry! Many American stylists do not realize that simple fact, so I was already impressed.

[Kelly]

Romeko (spelling?) is the name of the woman at Cocok's. I just had my first cut and highlight with her last Monday. I love the color, but it hasn't been my favorite cut (looks okay, but much more work to style). I will definately give her another try though. I have several friends who absolutely swear by her. One of my friends suggested taking a picture in with me next time. P.S. she gives an amazing scalp massage.

[kellyerace]

I love everything about Takako at Tarm Powder, across the street from the Max Value in Yomitan. With the possible exception of her little dog, Moogi, that hates me. She speaks barely any English, and I hardly any Japanese and still we chat and chat and chat. How does that happen? Anyway, her haircuts cost 3.000 yen and I've loved each and every one of them. They've been kind of Japanese style, which means you can bet thinning shears are involved. Fortunately for me, that's the kind of look I'm going for. So, if you live in Yomitan and you dig a hip, friendly atmosphere (with awesome music) and you don't mind yappy dogs, this is the place for you.

[B. Smith]

where do african-american women go to get their styled?

[roamingm's]

I went to Mr. Miyagi a handful of times. I too have curly hair and I loved how he cut it. He took his time and went thru and cut again even after it was dried and styled to make sure it was perfect. My only complaint was his coloring. The first time was awesome. After that, I felt my highlights were way too brassy and unnatural. The last time I went I tried to explain this, but was unsuccessful. That was the last time. I would highly recommend him for a cut and solid color.

[aviva]

Yes, I have my color done on base, not off. My colorist, Julie, is PCSing this summer so I'll be finding a new one. Sigh.

B. - that is a difficult question. My good friend got her hair completely cut short so she didn't have to find a stylist because she'd had bad experiences. I don't remember the name of the place, but there is a salon near my house that is staffed by african-american men & women and owned by an african-american man; it's on the street toward the sea wall that you take past the Pizza Inn shopping center out gate 1 Kadena. It's on the right hand side about 2 blocks from the sea wall. Does anyone know the name? It's a proper name, but I don't remember. I also have no idea if they give a decent haircut, but maybe this will trigger someone's comment :) Good luck.

[Meghan]

Why does my hair feel so gross here? Is there a special shampoo I can get?

[juice]

Does anyone know someone that knows how to cut and thin out thick hair?

[amanda]

I used to get my hair cut at cocoks by Rumiko as well, but she has since left and has her own shop right outside of Gate 1 on Kadena near the seawall. Very cute little shop, and she does a great job. She cut my 16 month old sons hair as well, and she's very patient! She also speaks very good english, so no translation problem. For those interested, her tel # is (098)936-8766

[Yuki]

Hello!! I am a licensed cosmetologist..Paul Mitchell educated and I am in the process of opening a home salon!! I already have a professional space set up and I am offering Haircuts for now...my shipment and complete salon business will be up and running soon!!!

[ashley]

I've had a few bad experiences on base with hair cuts, and I was wondering where is a good place to go off base. I wanted to try a body wave or a perm.

[rachel]

Yuki.
Can I sign up for a hair cut? Thanks
Rachel

[Katy]

I have blonde hair and i am worried that off base salons might not be too good at blonde because most japenese have brown or black am i wrong? does anyone know a good hair colorist for blondes?

[Kandy]

I was admiring a mom's hair at my son's school. She had blonde highlights and said that Miko at the Olympic mall salon on Kadena had done them. I also had my haircut by her once and thought she did a nice job. I would call and ask if she still works there. I hope that helps.

[Lauren]

I just need someone to style my hair for me. Since I moved here, I just wear a ponytail for the most part. I've never really known what to do with my hair...

[Suzy]

The only person that I would recommend onbase is Chelsea who is right now working over at the Kadena Concessions Mall. I send all of my friends to her when they get bad haircuts that need to be fixed or if they're just looking for someone who really knows what they're doing. She's fabulous. She'll tell you if a style won't work for you and she's very precise about the color products she'll use on hair. She orders everything and has it shipped to her from a friend in the states. I really lucked out when I found her here.

[Bri]

Rumiko did great highlights & lowlights in my blonde hair. I highly recommend her. & she lets you know if something just isn't going to work for your hair

[sharon]

any salons willing to turn hair blue? and do a good job?

[janet]

Anyone have a good recommendation of hairstylist that can cut a good short stack (inverted) bob? Going from just past shoulder length this style I'd like a good reference if you know of someone and salon.

[Allison]

I got my hair cut by a woman on kinser. Best hair cut ive had in a long long time! SHe is so Wonderful! Very nice and has a beautiful salon in her home!!! She has cut hair for 12 years and specializes in Framesi color! She is the best on island!!! Give her a call!
Her name is Ginger
646-1451/080-3314-6562 or designsbyginger@yahoo.com

[Mel]

I am looking to get my hair done and want pink streaks place through it. Does anyone know a good place that will and can style with out of the ordinary colors? I saw the question about blue hair but no answer. Sharon, did you find a place?

[mel]

Just for anyone interested...i just went to King Cobra directly across from Foster's Commissary Gate and they did a great dye job. Takano Teruya did a full color and was able to bleach and dye bright red highlights for me. They have just about any color you can think of. They also make very nice wigs and do extensions. I recommend them to anyone looking for the not so usual styles but also for regular cut and dye jobs. I was there all day and saw all four stylists work and they did excellent job. There is not a lot of English spoken there, just bring a pic in and they work from that. They also have a salon in Naha.

[Lisa]

I go to Karen on Lester. She has over 20 years experience and I am always in love with my hair after she is done. She carries professional hair products and uses Redken for coloring. I have sent many of my friends to her and they are always very happy with her work. Her number is 646-6364

[Tara M]

I didn't see the previous questions about unnatural coloring until now... but [the aforementioned] Rumiko might be someone to try for that. I haven't seen her for a while, but when I went, she had blue in her own hair. I figure if you're willing to sport it, you'll do it to others.

[brittnee]

My name is brittnee and im currently attending a paul mitchell school in ohio. My fiance got orders to okinawa and we were planning on getting married. If i move there with him once we get married will i be able to find a job at some kind of paul mitchell salon? if anyone knows anything please let me know. brittnee_huffman_08@hotmail.com
thank you!!

[John]

I thought I posted it already but it didnt show up... Apex, near camp courtney. go down the road and make a left at AW and itll be facing the same way youre driving (behind you) For a guy you pay 26 bucks and get a awesome haircut, shampoo, facial, and a face and arms massage. I go there once a month. Only con is they are not very fluent in english, so be patient.

[angela]

I am looking for a hairstylist that does sfrican american hair and someone that also sells weave pieces. Thanks in advance.

[Yukari]

Hello, I am Yukari and come from Tokyo in March 2009. I opened new hair salon in front of sunabe seawll on May 16th.

I have been working as hair stylist for 19years, in places including London, N.Y., Washington D.C., Sydney and Tokyo. Come and experience quality hair cut, hair color plus scalp massage that will give you ultimate relaxation and feel comfortable.

I believe that have a number of good qualities , that I promise to give you the perfect hair style, head spas, Hair treatments, perm and color using great products for you!

If you have any questions, please contact to my shop and see HP site!!!

●Opening　Campaign！ (5/16-6/30)

　50%OFF All Menu(30%OFF cut only) and
A Head Spa Free Trial!
　

[Rache;]

Yukari,

What is your telephone number and name of your shop? Do you have a web site?

[Brook Wilhelmsen]

I go to Mr. Miyagi at CocoK's too. LOVE him. He's the only stylist I've ever had that can make my hair look exactly like the picture I bring in. I have a really short inverted bob. He does a great job and I literally have to spend like 3 minutes on my hair in the mornings because it's cut correctly.

[yukari]

Hi,Rache.
Name of my shop :Borjan (in front of Sunabe seawall)

Phone: 098-936-6400

Web site: http://www.borjan.org

mail to: mail@borjan.org

And you can click my name, then you can see my site!
I hope to see you! Thanks....

[Jessica]

I just went to the new salon Borjan that is on the sunabe seawall and I am completely sold. This is where I will be going for the remainer of the time I am in Okinawa. The salon is adorable, very comfortable with an awesome view. Yukari is really nice and speaks amazing English. I got hilights and a haircut really fast and it was under $50. The 50% off is running until the end of June and even after that she is still giving 20% off. And she is doing scalp massages for free if you get any color right now. I could have stayed there all day.
Go see her. You will not be disappointed!

[Rachel]

Yukari,
I am a couple months pregnant and interested in getting my hair straightened (straight perm), but my health-nut girlfriend thinks the chemicals used in the process will harm my baby. What is your professional opinion on this?

[Joelle]

I chose not to do any color/chemicals during my pregnancies. I know a lot of people do color that doesn't touch the scalp (like foils) but basically this stuff has never been tested on pregnant women (cuz who would sign up for THAT study??) and so I decided to err on the side of caution. But if I WAS going to do something like that I would choose something where the chemicals wouldn't actually reach my scalp -- just my 2 cents...

[Cody]

I went and saw Yukari at Borjan today and I was soooooo impressed! Because I have really light blonde hair, it's always hard to find stylists that can match the color.... but she did it perfect! The cut is also amazing! If I could have her as my own personal hair stylist for the rest of my life, I would! Hands down, best experience I've ever had at a salon. Thanks Yukari!

[Kim]

When I decide to get my hair cut I want it cut right now, so that I don't chicken out. I have been wanting it cut but haven't been able to find someone, so this morning I called Yukari at Borjan and she gave me the choice of 2 times today. I showed up about 20mins early, wasn't sure where I was going. I told her that I didn't know what I wanted, but I didn't want anything TOO short. It had been a really long time since I'd had a haircut. I also wanted her to color my hair, which I had never had done before (too chicken). I have never been so happy with a haircut, there is NO more gray,a nd the highlights that she added where just enough. I love the hair cut, it's short but not too short and the bangs are great and I can still put it up in a pony tail. I will defintely being going back to her, and I'm taking my son the next time he needs a haircut. Thank you Yukari!

[Diane I]

I have an appt at Borjan tomorrow morning and I am really excited after reading the afterthoughts on Yukari. Can't wait!!!

[yukari]

Hi, Jessica, Cody and Kim. Thank you for coming my hair salon, and I really really had a great time and happy with doing your hair.
I am so happy you like my salon, thanks for messaging me.
I hope to see you again soon!!!

Hi, Diane!
I got your message looking forward to see you tomorrow morning.
I hope to you like my salon！

Please feel free to visit my shop at anytime. Also if you would like to view my website all you would have to do is click on my name located next to the posted by.

Borjan Yukari,

[yukari]

Hi, Rachel,

Thank you for your inquiry. I can't say perm and coloring products are 100% safe to the human body. But there are types of coloring where the perm, straightening and color solution is applied to only hair, not scalp or hair is dyed only on the surface. Also, I always apply cream to the scalp to protect it from those solutions. Hope this will relieve your concern.
Yukari,

[Rache;]

Yukari,
Thank you for your reply and explanation. I agree with what Joelle's two cents. I remained virgin hair/scalp during my first two pregnancies, but this time my hair is out of control and crazy! It is growing all weird and wavy in the back. I can't style it or do anything with it! It needs to be straightened!

[Diane I]

Borjan + Yukari = Perfection! Success...on behalf of Borjan salon, I proudly and highly recommend taking advantage of the steals Yukari has in her salon this month and get an experience of follicle proportions!!! I love love love my hair after my visit today. She gave me the best head spa treatment ever (ok so maybe I've never actually HAD a head spa treatment), but you can bet I will from now on. It was heaven. P.S. I am going back for her to style me for the Army Ball this weekend. Hit her up people...she is a hidden gem!!

[ash]

I went to Borjan this evening for a haircut. Yukari was awesome. I love my hair. The scalp massage was amazing also! I have curly hair, so it's usually hard for me to find a good stylist, but Yukari did a wonderful job on my hair. She even used a flat iron on my hair to show me another way to style it. I highly recommend her, and I'll be going back. Thanks Yukari!!

[jbo]

WOW, Yukari at Borjan does sound great and everyones experiences thus far. I called for an idea on cut/color and she said probably 6000 depending on length of my hair~during her promotion sale! Sounds real good. Do you suggest bringing in a pic or does she have plenty of hairstyle books? Also, is she the only stylist there and does she normally just take appointment only or walk-in as well?

[yukari]

Hi, everyone!
Thank you for visit my salon at borjan.　Many many thanks and messages.
I have some different type of hairstyle books.
So, you don't need to bring it, but if you find some favorite pictures, I am happy to see that.
Normally, I recomend to make an appointment, I am the only hair stylist at Borjan.
Please feel free to call or visit to my salon anytime!!!

Hi, Rachel
I've got your messages, I will see you next month！

[jbo]

Thanks Yukari for the information~I may be coming to see you real soon :)

[Yukari Borjan]

Hi, everyone!
Go click to Borjan blog page.
You will see my shop, many customers and doing work.

http://borjan640.vox.com/

call:098-936-6400

Yukari (Borjan)

[Nicole]

I went and saw Yukari at Borjan today for a haircut and highlights...it was wonderful! I love my haircut-she spent a lot of time, cutting carefully, and making sure it was exactly right. The highlights came out wonderfully and the scalp massage was fantastic. I really appreciated her attention to detail. Her salon is very nice. I really encourage everyone to try her out-I think you'll be pleased. I know I'll go back.