Translation guide
A place where you go to get beauty treatments like hair styling, manicures, facials, etc. In Japanese, the most common word is 美容院 (beauty salon/hair salon), but other terms exist depending on the specific service.
A place offering a range of beauty services, primarily hair styling and cutting.
The standard word for a beauty salon or hair salon. It implies a place where you get your hair cut, styled, colored, or permed, and may also offer makeup and other beauty services.
I got my hair cut at the beauty parlor.
I made an appointment at the beauty salon for next week.
A loanword from English 'hair salon'. Often used in names of salons and sounds slightly more trendy or modern. Functionally similar to 美容院.
I tried out a new hair salon.
Literally 'beauty room'. Often used interchangeably with 美容院, but can sometimes refer to a smaller or more specialized beauty treatment room, or be part of a larger facility.
I had my hair set at the beauty parlor inside the hotel.
A place primarily for men's haircuts and shaves, often with a more traditional atmosphere.
A barber shop. Unlike 美容院, 理容院 is licensed to do shaves and typically caters to men. The distinction is legal in Japan.
My father goes to the barber shop every month.
A colloquial term for a barber shop. It's a bit old-fashioned but still widely understood. Often used in casual conversation.
A place specializing in manicures, pedicures, and nail art.
The standard term for a nail salon. Often just called ネイル colloquially.
I got gel nails done at the nail salon.
A place offering facial treatments, body treatments, hair removal, and other esthetic services.
Often shortened to エステ. Refers to a salon providing esthetic treatments like facials, body massages, hair removal, etc. Not typically for haircuts.
I got a facial treatment at the esthetic salon.
Cosmetic surgery clinic. While not a 'beauty parlor' in the traditional sense, it's a place for beauty enhancement through medical procedures.
In Japan, there is a legal distinction: 美容院 (beauty salon) is for hair styling, makeup, etc., but cannot perform shaves. 理容院 (barber shop) can do shaves and is traditionally for men. The sign outside usually indicates which license they have.
Many modern 美容院 serve both men and women, and it's common for men to go to 美容院 for haircuts. If you're unsure, 美容院 is a safe choice for any hair-related service.
I got a haircut at the local barber shop.
I had double eyelid surgery at the cosmetic surgery clinic.