es NAIL — Local services in Tokyo

If you need to get your nails done, this is the place!!! I LOVE my nails. Rin’s attention to detail is incredible and she is a perfectionist! I didn’t even realize how much work and art went into designing nails.

Just for reference, I never get my fingernails done because of work. The last time was two years ago, and I just got white shellac with a chrome powder on top.

After extensive research on social media and google, I found a nail place and a nail tech. They do not take online reservations for foreigners through hot pepper, but you are able to book by sending them a DM on instagram. After picking a date, time, service and nail tech if you want someone specific (there is an extra fee to “nominate”) they send you a link to fill out and pre-pay for your service. They have basic, art and more art options. Does a cat eye or chrome powder count as art? What’s considered more art? I opted for the more art with tip extensions because at the time I booked (3 weeks prior) I wasn’t sure what I what kind of design I wanted to do yet. I think with more art, your nails will be able to be as bedazzled or painted as crazy as you want them to be as long as they can finish in the time that’s been allocated for you.

They translate the payment page for you, but you can also use the web page translator too. There was one part of the form that was required to proceed to check out that I had some difficulty with, as you had to translate your name to Japanese characters. Luckily, I had a friend who was able to type that for me and I copied and pasted it into the form. After you fill it out, and get to the confirmation page, you screenshot it and send it back to them to confirm your appointment has been paid.

The day of, I was trying to get an address to the nail salon, and I checked my confirmation screenshot and realized that my appointment was booked for the shibuya location. When booking my appointment, they had messaged me that I was going to be with Rin at the Shinjukj location. I tried call to confirm, but when I was able to get a hold of them, they didn’t speak good English. I went ahead and went to Shinjuku anyways, and figured that I’ll take a taxi and just cut my time short because regardless, I’m getting my nails done!!

When I got to Shinjuku, they did say that nail appointment was for Shibuya, but after I explained that I was told on IG to go to Shinjuku, she looked through the DMs and found my appointment. I was at the right place with the right nail tech.

Rin spoke a little English, but we were able to communicate just fine with google translate. She was time efficient, but did an amazing job and made sure everything was perfect. I gave her some inspo pics (the first 2 pictures), and they were more beautiful than I expected them to be. So many things that I didn’t even notice when I showed the pictures to her. The more art service is an estimated 3 hour service and she finished in 2. No cuts during the nail prep too.

I LOVE them. Thank you, Rin! Again, you are AMAZING.

Just had to take one star for the small booking hiccups. *tip: confirm your appointment a couple days before because it could take them a day to respond and maybe ask them for help in translating your name.

IG: esnail_tokyo Rin’s...

Unfortunately didn’t have a good experience here. The customer service was nice but the execution of my gel manicure was really poor.

First, if you don’t speak fluent Japanese, do not come here. There will be a language barrier and you may not receive the aesthetic you desire.

Communication was strained and that played a part in the results.

I translated several times that I wanted a squarish round shape, the same shape I entered the shop with. I even expressed discontent during the shaping but to no improvement. I didn’t want to seem difficult so I just stopped inquiring.

Second, the manicure was just poorly done. The shaping of the nails was inconsistent (varied one each nail) and a very thick gel overlay was applied at the end instead of a normal clear gel coat? I’ve never experienced this and I’ve been to salons all across Japan and the world. The gel overlay was uneven and incredibly thick. Just doesn’t look good.

I informed the manager and she apologized while offering to do my nails on another occasion but I didn’t have the energy to come back to the busy Shinjuku area for that. Not to add, extra transit money and time spent getting there again which if you are a tourist, these are precious resources.

While I appreciate the effort to rectify the issue, a good job initially would have sufficed.

In summary, if you don’t speak english, avoid this shop. If you do come to this shop, try to book a more experienced nailist or one of the...

I’m appalled at how they treat foreigners. I walked 40 minutes out of my way to come here because i desperately needed this service done and i loved their pictures online. The second i walked in the woman immediately said we’re full and I could not do my nails and toes at the same time. (it was not full) Except there was a small opening at a later time that day and only 1 service nails OR toes which i was fine with until she asked me to pay for the service in advance!!!! Then handed me this paper and I calmly told her this isn’t acceptable behavior and left. I have never been treated this way especially when i try to be as kind and respectful to others as much as i can. Please save yourself the trouble and let them go out of business on their own. This was my first bad experience in Japan and i will try not to let it affect me during this time. Better nail salons with more experience will gladly keep their business going no matter who is interested in their services. Discrimination is shameful and i would never have treated her this way if the situation...