I got my nails done at a salon in Japan, and the lavish $40 experience made American salons seem eons behind

by Gerald D. Moreno BEAUTY
nickelle tilley sipping drink (left), toweled feed at salon

I went to a local salon in Okinawa, and it was so much better than the spas I visited in the US.Nickelle Tilley

  • As an American who moved to Okinawa, I decided to compare nail salons in the US and Japan.

  • The 90-minute pedicure I got at Okinawa’s Cocok Spa for $40 blew away my experiences in the US.

  • The salon had complimentary snacks and drinks, incredible service, and state-of-the-art technology.

After moving from the US to Japan, I made an appointment at a popular local salon called Cocok Spa.

Nickelle Tilley selfie in car

I moved from North Carolina to Okinawa with my husband and our daughter.Nickelle Tilley

In May 2022, my family of three moved from the US to Japan.

My husband, an officer in the Marine Corps, received orders to relocate from North Carolina to Okinawa, one of Japan’s 47 prefectures that’s home to over 18,000 Marines and sailors.

Okinawa Island, the largest of the prefecture’s more than 150 islands, is sometimes referred to as the “Hawaii of Japan.” It’s located about 400 miles south of the mainland.

After getting settled, I decided to carve out some time for relaxation. My friend raved about Cocok Spa, a local salon. So, I made an appointment for a pedicure and can confirm that the hype is justified.

I made a pedicure appointment in advance using the spa’s website.

Cocok Spa in Okinawa Japan

Cocok Spa is a favorite among locals and expats in Okinawa.Nickelle Tilley

Cocok is very popular among locals and expats, so I made an appointment on the salon website ahead of time.

I don’t speak Japanese, but the language barrier wasn’t an issue at all. The spa has a lot of American clients, so there are English translations on its website, signs, and iPads. There were also English-speaking

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