Japan at My PaceAccessible Japan travel, one step at a time

Journal · Tokyo

A men's grooming splurge in Tokyo: a luxury barber and a late-night foot massage

One of my favorite afternoons in Tokyo was spent in a barber's chair. And after 30,000-step days, a firm foot massage before bed. What to know before you book.

By Travis Estes · Updated October 2026 · Gentle

A broad Tokyo avenue lined with leafy zelkova trees and glass-fronted shops in spring
A tree-lined Tokyo avenue in spring.

Travel at your own pace isn't only about walking less. Sometimes it's about building in a real break. On our winter 2019 trip I did two things I'd recommend to any guy (or anyone) visiting Tokyo.

A luxury cut at Wolfman Barber Shop

In Jingumae, between Harajuku and Omotesando, Wolfman Barber Shop offers a range of services, and I booked the top one. My review:

"I went ahead and splurged on the luxury service. It was 1 hour and 40 minutes of bliss. An excellent cut and beard trim followed by a series of face and skin treatments I don't have the proper words to describe. I felt and looked great after. Glad I made an appointment to come in."

  • Make an appointment. Popular Tokyo barbers book up, and walking in is a gamble.
  • Bring a photo of the cut you want. It's faster and clearer than explaining, in any language.
  • No tip. Tipping isn't customary in Japan, and it can cause confusion. Saying thank you is enough.
  • If sitting still for a long time is hard for you, ask how long each service takes when you book. Mine was close to two hours.

A firm foot massage at the end of the day

In Okubo, near Shinjuku, Susokan does foot massage and is open very late. "The massage is hard, so it can be intense on the feet while it's happening, but after a day taking 30,000 steps it feels great. Open very late, so great way to end the day."

  • Japanese foot reflexology can be firm. If something hurts, say "itai" (it hurts) or "yawarakaku" (softer).
  • In my review I noted that smoking was allowed on the ground floor, so I asked for upstairs. That was before Tokyo's 2020 smoking rules; see my smoking guide.

Walking & rest

Compeed Advanced Blister Care Pads, Mixed Sizes

Hydrocolloid pads cushion a hot spot before it turns into a blister. Worth having for any city day measured in tens of thousands of steps.

Check price on Amazon Details

The kit for this guide

Also in this guide

Opening hours, routes and rules change; check before you go.