Use of nail salons by men gradually spreading in Japan

Takako Sakashita opened what she said is the country's first-ever men-only nail salon in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward in September 2012. She said she came up with the business when she saw her male acquaintance, a businessman in his 70s, polishing his finger nails.

Her 'Otoko Nail' chain currently has six salons in Tokyo and Osaka. Over 80 pct of their customers were from their 30s to 60s between January and mid-November this year.

"Many of our clients use our salons as they find it disrespectful to their customers to show uncared-for hands," Sakashita said.

"I hope to spread an awareness that beauty care for men means to care about their fellows and trimming their nails is a way to care about their appearance," she said.

At Otoko Nail salons, it takes about an hour to remove extra cuticles and to nicely shape, massage and polish nails.

"I have long had an inferiority complex about cracks and vertical ridges on my nails caused by dryness," said Kazutaka Aoyagi, 63, a dentist in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, who said he has to remove gloves when he shows X-ray photos to patients.

"I was initially surprised to know that there is such a service," said Aoyagi, who has been using an Otoko Nail salon in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward for some 10 years.

He said that the shape of his nails has been improving as he regularly uses the salon. "I feel good and confident when tips of my nails are well groomed."

The proportion of men who used nail salons in Japan in the past year increased to 4.5 pct in 2025, from 2.8 pct in 2021, according to a survey by Hot Pepper Beauty Academy, a beauty industry research firm.

"Behind the outcome is men's growing awareness of beauty and their interest in caring about personal appearance," a researcher who conducted the survey said.

"The role of salons that provide care tailored to each customer's nail problems is expected to increase further," the researcher said.