There's a nice idea –word of mouth or just plain browsing. It is especially good for the natural girls if you find someone with the hair type you want (as in they have braids, twists, etc.). Hopefully, you can get them to tell you the place theirs was done. (Who knows? You might make a new J-friend.)
It shouldnft be too impossible as long as there are enough Japanese into the hip-hop scene to braid their hair or get dreads and fros.
Still, I have to admit, just knowing where you are going ahead of time is nice. In that case you better save up some yen to get all the way to Room 806 or 4/U if you arenft in Tokyoc (BTWcin case anyone didnft know, their site is -
http://www.room806.com/ )
But that salon stuff might start impacting your salary, especially if you want to keep it looking really nice. Even if you are going straight natural (more power to ya) For oils, pomades and the like, I suggest bringing it with you or having it sent.
For those who rock their hair straightcIf all else fails maybe you can grab an outlet adapter and bring a quality ceramic flat iron to straighten your hair out.
If youfre using a flat iron that is 110V (like most US electronics), make sure it can heat well without being on the highest setting. Then with a simple adapter, it should be able to work. Nevertheless, it just won't heat as hot as you are used to in the states unless you buy a transformer. Of course if you didnft need it on the highest setting in the first place it won't be a problem. Just use a higher setting.
Now for higher voltages like a lot of European stuffs, then there might be some problems. Seeing how Ifm neither an electrician nor European, Ifm not sure how to explain this aside from saying that youfll need a transformer (which is different from an adapter in price and purpose).
For more info about the voltage and stuff, thatfs what the rest of the question board is for. (Try searches for gvoltageh and ghair straightnersh)
--Or try to scrounge one up while in Japan?--
Alternatively, you can try to bring perms and stuffs from home or get friends/family to ship it for you in a care package. Then maybe you can get someone to do the perm for you.
(All of this is info that Ifve stockpiled in my mind after a couple of years of gOMG! Japan and my hair!? What do I do?h
So these are options I have from my perspective since I wonft know Japanese significantly or be in a military base when I get to Japan.
Those who know enough Japanese to get around with some ease might have even more options. And if youfre in a base, you might find someone who can hook you up in there.)