Where Anyone Can Be Handsome, Inside Sasazuka’s New Local Barbershop

Tucked away on a backstreet in Sasazuka, handsam, a barbershop where nostalgia and novelty intersect, has just opened its doors. Behind the project is hair and makeup artist AMANO, who has built a career across magazines, advertising, and the music scene. Choosing a location just a few minutes’ walk from his own home was a deliberate decision, driven by a strong desire to stay rooted in the local community.

The space is imbued with the warmth of classic American neighborhood barbershops. Its nostalgic interior, highlighting the natural texture of wood, was designed by Rikiya Burioka of Mobley Works. A silk-screened logo quietly rests on the window, while at night, a one-of-a-kind neon sign created by artist WAKU casts its glow. The atmosphere feels like a scene lifted from a film, breathing life into the very origins of the barbershop as a place of craft and ritual.

A standout feature is the inclusion of Takara Belmont’s legendary 679 barber chair. With its timeless form and enveloping comfort, it has long been regarded as a pinnacle of barber chair design. Simply settling into the chair transforms the act of grooming into a small moment of escape from the everyday.

The word handsome in the shop’s name goes beyond outward appearance. For AMANO, it encompasses the aura that emanates from within—one’s scent, presence, and a sense of ‘romance.’ Having obtained a barber’s license and offering full services that include shaving, his approach reflects a desire to expand barbering as a cultural practice. Discounts for university students and younger clients, as well as special pricing for teenagers, further underscore the shop’s commitment to the local community.

This is not merely a place to get a haircut. As a space where anyone can become ‘handsome,’ handsam emerges as a new hub for barber culture—one that invites visitors to savor the delicate space between the nostalgic and the extraordinary.