An hour in 'heakatto' heaven

Today I went to get my haircut. I LOVE getting my haircut in Japan. Let me describe the procedure and then you'll understand why.

1. They take you over to the sink, make sure you're seated comfortably and then proceed to wash your hair and massage your head for a good 10 minutes....
2. They take their time cutting your hair. Remember, it must be perfect.
3. They know how to use thinning scissors. This is KEY. My thick, stick straight hair is transformed into manageable, style-able hair.
4. Today the stylist styled my hair (with product) so that I could see how it looked and approve it, only to then take me back to the sink to re-wash my hair to remove all the pesky tiny cut hairs! So ridiculous, so awesome. Head massage number two!
   
5. Back to the chair, I got a back and neck massage...heaven...glorious....I almost fell asleep.
6. My hair is blown dry (sometimes by two people!), styled and perfected yet again. Any tiny hair that dares escape from place is dealt with.
   

Over an hour later, I walked out of the salon feeling stylish (well, at least from the neck up) and relaxed. Too bad I had to go straight to work and deal with crazy Open House week (when the parents get to observe their kids' classes)! I need another massage now...