Mimi Souji - Japanese Ear Cleaning Salons
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Japan's Latest Trend
Recently Ear Cleaning Salons or ”耳掃除 サロン" have been popping up all over Tokyo. Living here for 3 years I have seen the beginnings of this trend with a few small shops here and there popping up around Ginza and the Financial Districts. Now, though, it has taken full hold on the population with many dozens of shops trying to get in on the action.
What exactly is an Ear Cleaning Salon?
Good question. It's essentially a salon that will thoroughly clean your ear out in a therapuetic and relaxing environment. They will clean dead skin, wax and hair from your ear and give it a massage all in roughly 15-30 minutes depending on your course.
Mimi Kaki
Different Types of Service
Ear Cleaning involves various steps as you can see illustrated by the youtube video below. First, you will generally have an introduction of the process and some type of ear inspection. In the video below it's quite sophisticated with an camera for the client to see how dirty his or her ear is. However, some shops are merely a woman in a kimono on whose lap you lay your head for a more 'personal' cleaning (kind of like laying your head on your moms lap and having your ears cleaned).
After your ear has been inspected they will generally use several tools to clean your ears. One of the most popular tools in Japan for not only salons but personal use are called "耳かき" (Mimikaki) or Ear Sticks. These are used to scrape the dead skin from your ear and ear canal and can be quite entertaining to use. As a foreigner I prefer my Q-Tips though.
Some times the salon will clean hair from your ear but that might cost more. It's also interesting to note that Men's Barbers in Japan will also give your ears a quick trim (which may be the beginnings of the Ear Salon itself!?).
Similar ear cleaning tools available in the US
Japanese Dog Beauty Salon
Ear Cleaning Salons for Dogs
Not only are the ear cleaning salons popping up for humans but the same services are being offered at 'Dog Beauty Salons' as well. Services are expensive and usually include a doggy massage afterwards. This is something many owners prefer to leave to the professionals.
Ear Cleaning Salon in Japanese Media
Ear Cleaning Salons in Tokyo
It's definately a fun experience and something every tourist should try at least once. I've done a quick google maps search for ear salons near Tokyo. You can see a better description here if you are interested in visiting one.
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Comments
Thanks for the comment! I hope to add more Japanese related content to future HubMobs! You should definately give it a try if you ever visit. Who knows, it might take off and spread around the world! Before you know it you can get a ear cleaning in your local salon. =)
Interesting. Beats the heck out of waiting to see your doctor for this, and then having your ears syringed/flushed out with water. Only had it done a couple of times when I was a kid, and always ended up feeling like I had been to the swimming pool.
I've always had issues with my ears and feeling that they were clean...Maybe this is the solution!...when I'm next in Japan, at least.
I wonder if there are any in the states?
Princessa says:
5 months ago
This is great! I would like to try it if I ever go to Tokyo! I like hearing about new trends in other countries so this is a treat. Thanks for joining in the HubMob.