My husband and I found this place separately... I really want to gatekeep this but reviews from others helped us to try this place. After visiting Sohei multiple times, we can attest that Sohei does an amazing job for cutting men's hair and ladies' hair! I like how easy we could secure an appointment from his website. Earlier this year my hair started to tangle up and end up in a big mess. I went in for his help. I worried that I would have to chop that off. Sohei comforted me and patiently tackled the big knot. The big mess was resolved and my hair was silky smooth again after the anti-frizz treatment :) Definitely recommend this place!!! read more

Sohei's precise, thoughtful, dedicated, and not ridiculously overpriced. He's a quiet worker, in a very Japanese way - he's focused on his outcome not on chit chat which I appreciate. His work is effective and lasts as he thinks it should last. He's hard to get availability for sometimes, but if you email him/get on the waitlist I can often get an appointment that works! read more

Consistently wonderful. A quality and customer retention over quantity business model. Sohei is warm and understanding. Hair products used are non damaging. A positive experience and a long time Japantown staple. read more

Sohei did a terrific job cutting my hair. He was gentle, detail-oriented, and you can tell he is highly skilled! He seems to be heavily aware of hair trends in Japan. I will be coming back again. read more

Sohei is so patient and detail oriented! He's really great at cutting trendy Asian hairstyles, such as styles with a lot of layers and bangs. I was so happy to see he replicated my inspiration pics perfectly, and constantly checked in with me if I was satisfied with the cut. Would highly recommend everyone to go to Sohei! read more

I've been to Sohei twice now and both experiences have been amazing. The hair wash is very comfortable. He listens to what I want and has great attention to detail. I love my haircut every time and I will definitely be coming back. read more

I come here with no idea what I want. I love the outcome of my haircut and hair color. Sohei is very detailed and important thing he made sure that I'm comfortable with the result! read more

Got a haircut from Sohei! I was really impressed by how precise and symmetrical he tried to make my hair. You can tell he has decades of experience cutting hair. No one has ever spent so much careful attention to my hair, trying to make sure it was absolutely even after each step. He's so such a nice person and easy to make conversation with during the haircut - thank you so much for everything. Bonus: There's also a small iPad on the mirror where you can view NHK Japanese TV with English subtitles during your service. I learned about different types of Japanese produce and fish during my cut, along with a small documentary about Fukushima. Nice touch! :) read more

Sohei Hair Design Studio - Haircut - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing experience with Sohei Today! I was very much looking forward to it because I grew my hair out for 8 months. Sohei knew what he was doing, and gave precise cuts and layers. He also gave me a hair wash before cutting. Having little conversations with Sohei is so easy, he knows what I wanted and took his time cutting each section of my hair. Very satisfied with the quality, he makes sure if the back part of my hair is good, and explained what he did to give my approval before moving on. I'm glad I've met Sohei Today, hopefully next time, I'll be back. Sohei is awesome! Must book with him, it's worth the price! read more

Very detailed hair cut by Sohei. He was very attentive to details and took almost 2 hours to finish my cut and bang perm. My request was to create more volume on the top of my head as I think thinner hair, add a little more flow to the bottom of my hair that was straightly cut (kinda like a triangle mop) without getting rid of too much length, and he did a great job with it. I also got a bang perm, in which he confirmed with me what style I want - volume bangs with side bangs curled and styled to the side. His method to separate the bangs into two layers - the top layer curls inward, with the inner layer flipped and positioned to curled outward in the opposite direction, creates further volume as there is a underneath layer to support it. Overall super pleased with his orientation to details, although if I were to pick out one thing, I'd want the side bangs to be a bit more obviously curled. read more

Sohei Hair Design Studio - Style I was going for. But my hair shorter. - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

This review is long overdue for Sohei. He's the best! I don't like to put too much fuss into my hair (I never blow dry / style it), but I get such a nice haircut from Sohei that I often get compliments from friends and strangers on my hair. He's not only very professional and easy to talk to, but he's very precise on his styles. I never find random pieces that are out of place after my haircuts. Sohei also does digi perms and Japanese hair straightening. Next time, I'm going to book a Japanese anti-frizz treatment to see if it makes my hair smoother and more manageable. read more

I've been going to Sohei throughout my life, and I've always been more than satisfied with EVERY single haircut. In the past he has layered my hair when I wanted it to be nice and long. Recently I felt like I wanted to try something new. I asked if he could give me the trendy two-block cut that is popular in Korea now, and it came out beyond my expectations! I highly recommend Souhei to anyone, especially if you are looking to get a two-block hair cut :) I attached a photo for anyone wondering how it turned out read more

Sohei Hair Design Studio - My two block haircut, I asked for the sides & front to be a little bit longer on purpose :) - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

The $75 for a haircut here is worth every penny. I've paid the same price at other salons in Japantown and none have come close to the level of detail and skill by Sohei from wash to cut to style. Sohei is very nice and provides great service and suggestions. The online appointment booking system is easy. I hope to come back once the salons open up again. read more

Sohei was great! He was considerate and gave me exactly the cut I asked for. One of the best haircuts I've ever received!

Best hair dresser in San Francisco. Sohei takes his time understanding how you want ALL parts of your hair to look. He offers professional advice and tailors your desired style to fit your appearance. Most places will tell you there's only one correct way to do things with your hair (styling & maintenance), but Sohei offers multiple options to suit your needs. He's honest and doesn't look to make a quick buck off of his clients. The salon is clean and modern, matching the work that they do there. After trying dozens of salons in San Francisco, I can tell you that Sohei's is definitely the best in quality of styling and customer service. read more

It was my first time here and Sohei was wonderful. The place was clean and there were covid protocols in place (taking temp and washing hands) I haven't had a haircut in two years and my butt length hair needed a drastic change. Sohei was meticulous, and executed the bob hairstyle inspiration I had very well. It was well worth the $85. read more

Sohei is my ultimate favorite hair stylist. He is technically superb and detail oriented. He listens to your needs/requests very carefully and brings out the best in you. I have been his client for last 10+ years and every time I left his salon happy and with big smile. His hands are magical and his heart is genuine ! I highly recommend him read more

Sohei Hair Design Studio - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I have been following Sohei from the Japanese Salon to Hair Caffee to now, where he is running his own operation. Sohei is the best! He gives me the hair straightening treatment every 8 to 9 months or so and my hair is always straight, shiny and perfect. read more

I've been going to Sohei for years and he's the best hair stylist I've ever had. He's attentive, patient and really knows what he's doing. I would recommend him to everyone I know. read more

Sohei has been taking care of my hair for many years, he is honestly the best hair stylist I've experienced in the Bay Area. Sohei is very accommodating to what you want/need. And if you aren't sure what you want, he can make brilliant recommendations for a hair style/cut/color that suit you best. Highly recommended!! read more

Sohei Hair Design Studio - Hair Salons Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sohei has been my hair stylist for 14 years now. My first haircut done by Sohei was at JCBC in Japan Town when I walked in without an appointment. I was so impressed by his detail to attention and careful approach to right my badly bleached hair that I became his regular customer ever since. He moved with other hair stylists from JCBC to open Hair Caffe on Sutter Street in 2015, and I followed him there too. He just started out on his own and back in Japan Center again in a beauty studio near Daiso Japan. Here are the qualities he provides that make me his loyal customer. 1. He knows and recommends style that suits me best, despite I sometimes what drastic change that I will regret later. 2. His haircut skill is superb. I have fine and flat hair. He cuts it with intricate layers that give body and chic shape and yet easy to manage at home. 3. Consistent quality work and result - attention to detail is unmatched 4. Never feel rushed. You have full attention from him. 5. Reasonable price 6. Quality hair product used He keeps himself up to date with new trend and techniques. I always receive age appropriate, classic and chic haircut and color. Two years ago I wanted to let my hair grow gray naturally. He devised a plan to gradually transition me into it and still kept me looking chic and stylish at the same time. I got a lot of compliments even from strangers when traveling. I am happy for him to strike out on his own now. read more

I just called Sohei the day I want to cut my hair, and I didn't expect that I will got my haircut on that day without booking an appointment earlier. But he answered my phone quickly and made an appointment for me. I really like my hair cut. read more

Sohei is really good at listening to you and also giving suggestions to achieve the look you want. I almost never done reviews but he is too good to not write one for him just to be fair. I feel so lucky to find him when I just moved here for 2 months. Highly recommended!!! read more

I have been seeing Sohei for years, and have not experienced another hairdresser who can do a better job with hair color and cut. Sohei is extremely detailed and caring regarding the look and health of your hair. He's very skilled in the techniques of a hair cut, and can mimic any hair cut/style you show him in a pic! He does a master job thinning out hair just right if you ask for it. Sohei gives a very relaxing hair wash, puts a hot towel on your neck and then gives a nice head massage. It's a spa experience and you get out with an expert cut and/or color! read more

Sohei is very skilled, responsible and patient. My friend recommended this place and I got my hair dyed professionally for the first time. I knew it would be hard to go from black virgin hair to a much lighter and more exotic color, so I wasn't expecting the result to match what I had in mind. But it was a complete success! I am extremely satisfied with the result. Highly recommend! read more

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I highly recommend Sohei's practice. Sohei is highly skilled, detail oriented, and attentive. He is a good listener and communicates very well with constant feedback throughout the entire process, meaning there's a good chance he will deliver what you ask for in a hair style. He is devoted to his customers and is also flexible with scheduling. I originally came in for a bang perm but Sohei indicated that doing a whole perm wouldn't take that much more time. I was able to get it all done in one visit. The set up may not be as modern and nice as the Hair Caffe, but I really appreciate the small business vibe and personal touch. I hope his practice will flourish and continue to do very well. read more

Sohei is detailed oriented and precise. He listens as well as give you options on what would be good for you! Great prices as well for haircut and color. read more

Sohei is a skilled pro who always gives a great stylish cut with the utmost precision. Straight Asian hair can be unforgiving but he takes care to ensure the lines are even. Had tried high-priced salons downtown but Sohei's cut was better. Been a fan ever since. Always get compliments on the cut. Love the Japanese-style service with a hot towel under the neck after shampooing and head pressure point massage. Sohei has a great sense of humor and makes every effort to make you feel relaxed and comfortable, whether it's a cup of coffee or Japanese tea, to an iPad playing NHK TV programs. Great attention to detail and he cares for his customers...even giving consultations over the phone for how to manage during the pandemic shutdowns. Highly recommend! read more

I just moved from NYC and wanted to find someone whom I could regularly go to for my short haircuts. I found Sohei through Yelp and decided to go to him after reading the reviews from his longtime customers. He operates out of a salon in the Japan Town mall called Glam Up. Sohei recommended adjustments in my regular style so that it would have more volume and better shape and walked me through each step. He was also very meticulous and worked with me to achieve the length and style I wanted. Thank you so much Sohei! Looking forward to seeing you regularly! read more