Translation guide
A place where you go to get beauty treatments like hair styling, manicures, facials, and makeup. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 美容院 (びよういん) for hair salons, but other terms exist for different types of beauty services.
A place offering a range of beauty treatments, primarily hair styling but also nails, makeup, etc.
The standard word for a beauty salon, especially one focused on hair styling, perms, coloring, and sometimes makeup and nails. It implies a professional, often stylish establishment.
I got my hair cut at the beauty salon.
I have to make an appointment at the beauty salon next week.
A loanword from English 'salon', often used in names of beauty salons or to refer to a trendy, upscale place. Can be used alone or in compounds like ヘアサロン.
That salon is always crowded.
Literally 'beauty room', similar to 美容院 but sometimes used for smaller or more personal salons. Interchangeable in many contexts.
A new beauty salon opened in front of the station.
A salon that mainly does hair cutting, styling, coloring, and perms.
As above, the default term for a hair salon.
I got a perm at the beauty salon.
A loanword specifically for hair salons, often used in names or to sound modern.
A barbershop, traditionally for men, but some also serve women. Focuses on haircuts and shaves rather than full beauty treatments.
My father goes to the barbershop every month.
A salon specializing in manicures, pedicures, and nail art.
The standard term for a nail salon.
I got gel nails done at the nail salon.
A salon offering skincare, facials, hair removal, slimming treatments, etc.
Often shortened to エステ. Refers to a salon providing esthetic treatments like facials, body wraps, and hair removal.
I had a facial treatment at the esthetic salon.
Short for エステティックサロン, very common in everyday speech.
美容院 (びよういん) is a beauty salon for both men and women, offering a wide range of services. 理容室 (りようしつ) is a traditional barbershop, mainly for men, focusing on haircuts and shaves. The sign outside often indicates the difference: 美容院 has a red, white, and blue barber pole with a picture of scissors and a comb, while 理容室 has a similar pole but with a picture of a straight razor.
It's common to make an appointment by phone or online. You can say: 予約を取りたいのですが (よやくをとりたいのですが) - 'I'd like to make an appointment.' Many salons also accept walk-ins, but appointments are recommended, especially on weekends.
I got my hair colored at the hair salon.
I went to an esthetic salon with my friend.