I first went to the salon on Clarence Street back in 2009, and was blown away by the quality and the service. Unfortunately, since then, Shinka has been on a slow decline. My favourite stylist, Yuu, left a couple years back, and now, the only other stylist I know is Hiro, who's pretty good, but charges a little extra.

The prices are very high, and although I didn't mind paying it a few years back when some of my favourite staff members were working there, now it's become quite extravagant. That being said, I have been returning over the years because I do like the cut and digital perm they provide, and the service is still rather good (though not as excellent as before). On the most basic level of hairdressing, the stylists are very competent and are always able to work off the photos I bring them.

An additional note: the staff don't have a good command of English, but this is fine with me as I speak a little Japanese, and our chats in Japanese is one of the reasons I keep going back. Of course, this isn't for everyone--I guess I'm still a customer due to a huge nostalgic factor!

Approximate cost: $240

this salon was quite expensive for the service. the staff only can speak basic english and it was really hard to tell the hairdresser the haircut that i want, i have to show them with picture. i paid around $90 for haircut which is quite expensive. the service was alright. they did not offer any drinks or anything . overall i wont be coming back because they are too expensive and nothing extraordinary that make me feel wanna come back here.

Approximate cost: $90

Went there for a cut and colour which includes wash and blow dry. A friend gave me a introductory card with a 10% discount so I decided to give it a go. Very nice and huge hair salon with lots of space. The staff couldn't speak English fluently but I showed them a picture from my mobile what I wanted and how my fringe should be, the stylist accomplished that without a problem. The colour the stylist picked for me was quite nice. The cut and colour turned out well. Quite a few of my friends complimented on it. But not sure if I will be back if i haven't got a discount in the future though.

Approximate cost: $135

Yep, very true. Ok but definately no WOW factor for this price that I am paying. I went for the top stylist there and wanted to have a hair makeover however not many of the staffs there can speak English nor they would attempt to communicate their clients. I paid nearly $100 for my haircut only no perm no colouring no treatment yet all I did was pointing to the girl in the megazine and he nodded and started cutting and thats it. In the end it wasn't even what I expected to be...So that was a little disappointing. I was recommended by a friend yet the service was not as good as expected.

Approximate cost: $100

My girlfriend went to the shop to have her haircut and coloured and the end products seem to be quite good. She wasn't sure what haircut she wanted and left it to the stylist which did quite a good job I would say. However the price is abit steep.

Approximate cost: $100+

There is some communication problem as they seems like cant speak English fluently. Thus you will be a bit worry that they may not deliver what you want. The price is a bit expensive but the staffs are very friendly and the environment is quite comfortable.
I am quite satisfying with my colour and style but some of my friends didn't like theirs.

Approximate cost: $130

I had Hiroshi do my hair cut. Customer service experience was great. I have been to Korean hairdressers and Christopher Hanna and the Shinka's service and politenesss is great. Despite the language barrier, Hiroshi listened to my opinion on my hair and also asked some questions regarding the history of my hair.

The place was very clean and I noticed how their brushes were not full of hair unlike some of the Korean Hairdressers (Kim Sun Young). I will definitely be back. Unfortunately Hiroshi will be leaving before the end of the month. I just had a leave a review because of the amazing experience. Thank you Shinka and Hiroshi!

Approximate cost: $65

The staff are very professional and are super quick with haircuts. I didn't think that there was a huge language barrier, although I did only go for a haircut. Their service is amazing, they always try to make sure you are comfortable. The hairdressers seem to be highly trained and well experienced.

i just think they are not that professional and reading all these reviews make me think who actually wrote them? they are however quite nice people, (with very limited language skills, the assistants were really struggling trying to understand my questions… ) but the experience of the salon fit out is nice, however the technical skills especially in colour, I think they don't have a clue with my fine hair. So my only comment would be their colour skills, a little amateur as far as my experience goes.

Approximate cost: $130

Been there once and never turned back. One of the best japanese hair salons in sydney. Highly recommended.

Approximate cost: $150