Happiness Starts from the Hands: My First Nail Art Experience at ANNE Higashi-Shinsaibashi

📍 Osaka · 👁 446 reads

Like art, the delicate and beautiful designs combined with attentive high-quality service have made Japanese nail salons popular overseas. This time I went to the nail salon “ANNE Higashi-Shinsaibashi,” which has been actively welcoming international visitors since before the COVID-19 pandemic, to experience their nail services.

Located a 3-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station, ANNE Higashi-Shinsaibashi is in an area known as a fierce battleground for beauty salons, with many highly skilled and reputable beauty shops. I was getting more and more excited!

Forcise Co., Ltd., which operates the salon, runs multiple hair and nail salons mainly in Kansai and Tokyo, celebrating its 20th anniversary in May 2021! The company recognized the demand from inbound tourists early on, improving staff English service skills and actively welcoming foreign customers. I think communication is a big issue when enjoying beauty salon services abroad, but with this kind of setup, I felt at ease.

First-time nail art experience, what to choose if you're undecided?

Upon arriving at the salon, the nail artist Kassy greeted me with a warm smile.

*She removed her mask only for the photo. She wore a mask throughout the service.

Nail artist Kassy at ANNE

After taking my temperature, disinfecting, and storing my luggage in a locker, I was led to the nail station. As part of the salon’s COVID-19 prevention measures, the nail station had a clear acrylic panel with space underneath for hands.

Nail station with COVID-19 prevention measures

Now, let's begin my first nail experience!

First, nail care. During the care, I could slowly think about what design I wanted. It felt like a massage—so comfortable～★

Nail care before acrylic nail application

But there were so many design samples, I was really torn.

Kassy said, “Yes, many overseas customers say the same thing. Reactions vary by country, but many guests from Western countries are surprised by the wide variety of samples.”

Many acrylic nail design samples

The salon also posts designs on Instagram (@anne_east_official), and before the pandemic, many foreign tourists came after seeing posts there. It's hard to explain what design you want with words alone, so these samples are a huge help. After much deliberation, I finally chose a design from this month's recommendations! I’m looking forward to seeing the result…

Moving brushwork is touching! And that anime character?

After nail care, it was finally time for the acrylic nails. Regular nail art enthusiasts might be used to it, but even curing with an LED lamp was my first time! After applying the polish, the LED lamp hardens the acrylic instantly, though some people might feel heat. But the nail artist kindly said, “Let me know if it feels hot,” which was reassuring.

Acrylic nails curing under UV lamp

Acrylic nails require repeated polish application and curing, and I was transfixed by the delicate brush movements. Ah, on Kassy’s thumb, there was that national anime character…! Kassy was modest, but her detailed painting was truly amazing!

! She said they also paint characters on request. (She mentioned if you want a character, please let them know in advance.)

I also love Japanese anime like “Pop Team Epic” and “Cells at Work.” Maybe I'll try getting one next time…

Nail art with delicate brushwork

They also offer nail services for men. Check these out! On the thumb, a portrait of the late-Edo period patriot Ryoma, or a subtle Japanese pattern—so cool. Also Kassy’s design, very beautiful.

ANNE also offers men's nail services

Model is KAZZ, representative director of Forcise Co., Ltd. and chief stylist of hair Mission, which also has a nail salon. When I asked him to pose to show the nails, he struck a pose right away. Sorry for interrupting your work, KAZZ!

Chief stylist KAZZ of hair Mission

By the way, Kassy can also provide service in English. Was she good at English already?

Kassy said, “Before joining the company, I couldn’t speak English at all! My interest in overseas and learning English started only after joining this company. Because Shinsaibashi has many overseas customers, communicating with them during service gave me many perspectives and fresh insights about how others view Japan and Osaka.”

Her positive attitude toward work is wonderful! We talked a lot today, including about Hungary.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the finishing touches. Finally, wrapping with a hand towel… commonly called Hand Onsen! From start to finish, my hands were pampered thoroughly—super relaxing～ Getting a nail art session that also felt like a hand spa, such happiness?

Hand towel (Hand Onsen) as the final step of acrylic nails

And the final result. So cute! When I got home and showed my husband, he said it was really adorable, and he loved it☆

Finished acrylic nails

Oh, and this salon also has a hair salon, so you can get your hair done while doing nails. I used to think time wasn't used efficiently when dyeing my hair, so being able to do two things at once is great.

My first nail art experience in Japan—I was extremely satisfied! Kassy, thank you for the wonderful time today.

The two of us posing showing our nails

ANNE Higashi-Shinsaibashi has experienced nail artists who provide the best nail design suggestions for each customer. When you come to Osaka for sightseeing, be sure to experience Japanese nail art!

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Travel directory contents

1. English OK! The skilled salon “ANNE Higashi-Shinsaibashi”

2. Healing time – What is the final Hand Onsen?

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