Beauty Spots
It’s easy to look as polished as the locals when there’s a quality salon or spa on almost every corner, writes Kirsty Munro.
Tokyo spas and salons take pampering up a notch
Best post- flight treatment
CHI, THE SPA The ultra-relaxing Kisetsu Ritual at Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo (shangri-la.com) begins in one of six private rooms with a bath and salt scrub using seasonal ingredients. In winter, the treatment incorporates yuzu citrus and sake, while cherry blossom is used in spring. Unwind in the sauna then enjoy a relaxing 60- or 90-minute aromatherapy massage.
Best for brows
SHISEIDO THE STORE A luxurious space in which to experiment with Shiseido’s latest products, the Beauty Boost Bar in the brand’s gleaming flagship Ginza store (thestore.shiseido.co.jp) is the perfect stop for an emergency tidy-up. The eye-brow-designing service gently reshapes unruly brows, tweezing stray hairs and expertly filling gaps with Shiseido’s brow powders in just 15 minutes.
Best massage
AMAN SPA Head to this sleek sanctuary on the 33rd and 34th floors of luxury hotel Aman Tokyo (aman.com) for a rebalancing Shirabe massage treatment that includes gentle stretches to help improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. It’s followed by an abdominal massage designed to bring energy back to the body’s centre. Make sure you arrive early so you can start with a relaxing soak in the Japanese bath overlooking the skyscrapers of Otemachi.
Best hair colour
SIN DEN While you can get a great haircut at many of Tokyo’s top salons, colour can be tricky, as local products are designed for black hair and tend to strip colour and moisture. But the darkly modernist Sin Den salon (sinden.com), in the backstreets of the cool Harajuku shopping district, stands out for quality. Put your hair in the hands of its internationally trained stylists for a touch-up or dramatic change and choose from a range of imported colours.
Best manicure
JOLI NAILS Pop in to this airy salon ( joliartssalon.com) in the pretty Shirokane neighbourhood for a classic OPI paint job or gel manicure or go a step further and indulge in its amazing signature nail art. Technician Kikuko Asagami, a Nailpro world gel art champion, can create anything you desire, from portraits of your pet to 3D sushi. Walk-ins are welcome but it’s best to book ahead online for more artistic requests.
Best for beards
FREEMANS SPORTING CLUB Sit back in a vintage barber chair while beard specialist Minoru Fujii (freemanssportingclub.jp) considers your personality to create a design specifically for you. He not only delivers a precise trim but also a personalised “design chart” to help you maintain your new look at home. If you don’t have a beard, book in for a full-service shampoo, shave and haircut with a scalp, back and shoulder massage. Afterwards, toast your relaxation session with the signature Whisky Sour at the downstairs bar.
Best shoeshine
CHIBA SPECIAL In the forecourt of the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan building (kotsukaikan.co.jp) opposite Yurakucho Station, expert shoeshiner Mikoto Chiba and his dapper crew tend to company CEOs and design students alike. For ¥1000 (about $12) and 15 minutes of your time, your leather shoes will be supple and shiny again. You can also drop off bags, shoes and belts to be restored and repaired.
Best for jet lag
SPA LAQUA This temple to bathing and relaxation (laqua.jp) near Tokyo Dome is hot-spring heaven. Try the 13 different indoor and outdoor mineral baths or one of the saunas, ranging from the standard hot to the cold sauna set at 5ºC to improve circulation and alleviate jet lag. Towels and robes are provided. Note tattoos are strictly forbidden.
Best for hair and scalp
NATURA In the upmarket Aoyama shopping district, Natura hair salon (natura tokyo.com) specialises in cuts, colours and treatments. Start with the mist treatment using a nano steamer, followed by a mineralwater wash or an aromatherapy scalp massage with argan oil and peppermint, bergamot, lavender or rosemary. For damaged hair, add a honey pack.
Best massage
THE PENINSULA SPA An oasis in the business centre of Tokyo, the spa at The Peninsula Tokyo (tokyo.peninsula.com) has a calming, modern interior featuring Japanese shoji screens and rich timbers. The range of therapeutic aromatherapy massages includes the citrus Detoxifier and the bay- and clove-infused Muscle Relaxer. For post-flight bliss, choose the Immune Booster massage that uses tea-tree and eucalyptus oils.