Day 14: Japan Album Release Tour JINSEI 2024 – Haircut & Ramen in Osaka

Waking up late, I had no big plans for my last free day in Osaka—except for giving the whole “getting a haircut in Japan” thing a second try. My first attempt back in Miyakonojō had been a failure, so I figured, why not try again?

Around noon, I set off to find a hairdresser. Google showed plenty of options near my hotel, but as it turned out, most required an appointment. Just as I was about to give up, I walked past a tiny barbershop where an elderly barber gave me a friendly smile through the window. That was my cue. I remembered Yuichiro Tokuda telling me about the famous 1000-yen haircuts in Tokyo, but I had never actually gone to a barber in Japan—until now.

Since my Japanese hairdresser vocabulary is, well, nonexistent, I pulled up a picture on my phone to show him what needed to be done. Not a big job—back home, my ex-wife usually takes care of it, just a quick trim with the clippers.

The barbershop had a real vintage feel, with traditional Japanese music playing softly in the background and it felt like a time capsule, with old magazines and posters decorating the walls, probably untouched for decades.

The old master understood my request instantly and got to work. His hands were steady and precise, moving with years of experience. After the trimmer, he pulled out a sharp old-school razor and, with a polite nod, asked, “Neck hair remove, OK?” Of course—go for it.

Twenty minutes later, I was done. The price? Exactly 1000 yen. Perfect. I thanked him, feeling fresh and new, and walked out in search of my next target: ramen. A quick 10-minute walk later, I arrived at the highly-rated ramen shop. Tiny, spotless, and with a simple menu of just four ramen choices. I went for the salt ramen, and wow—one of the best I’ve ever had. Rich, flavorful, and only 1100 yen. Definitely a win.

Feeling satisfied, I strolled over to Umeda station to pick up some t-shirts at Uniqlo—budget-friendly and an overwhelming selection. I grabbed a few cool-looking shirts for the last stretch of the tour.

On my way back to the hotel, a specialty coffee shop caught my eye, Bread, Espresso & Roastery. Inside, a massive roasting machine stood proudly, surrounded by neatly displayed beans from various regions. In Japan, you usually pay when you order, so I handed over my yen and took my espresso upstairs. And let me tell you—this was real coffee. Strong, smooth, no nonsense. None of that fake Starbucks stuff.

Back at the hotel, I packed my suitcase to avoid any morning rush. I watched a movie, made a quick snack run to the local supermarket, and took it easy. With a long day ahead—travel and a concert in Tokyo—I figured I’d get some rest.

But before calling it a night… one last mission. That ramen shop I had visited earlier that day had a miso version I couldn’t ignore. Of course, I had to try it. And yes, it was amazing. Full, happy, and ready for the road ahead, I took one last walk through the city before heading back to the hotel.

The next morning, Osaka would be in the rearview mirror as I hopped on the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Check-out at 9 AM—onward to the final stretch!