Japanese nail art is beautiful, inspiring and sometimes downright tacky. The art form is taken very seriously here in Japan and there are numerous magazines, forums and competitions dedicated to it. Le Vernis Nail School in Ikebukuro, home of Sunshine City, offers various nailist classes for hobbyists and aspiring professionals. I had the opportunity to experience the four-hour beginner course that covered the basics of nail shape, care and manicure techniques. The full course spans over 18 lessons and expands into basic Japanese nail art techniques and gel application. Japan Nailist Association certified teacher Michiyo Kitagawa guides her students through the step-by-step processes in Japanese, English and Chinese.
- 1 min read
Le Vernis Nail School Ikebukuro
Multilingual Basic Level Nail Course
![Perri Silverstein Perri Silverstein](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1136/240x240!/565e87c967ba810c868b625b.jpg)
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![Le Vernis Nail School offers nails courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced students with classes following the Japan Nailist Association criteria.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35407/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35407.jpg)
Le Vernis Nail School offers nails courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced students with classes following the Japan Nailist Association criteria.
![The Elementary Level Course (160,000 yen) covers the essentials of proper nail care and manicure techniques. Nailists are to bring their own supplies.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35423/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35423.jpg)
The Elementary Level Course (160,000 yen) covers the essentials of proper nail care and manicure techniques. Nailists are to bring their own supplies.
![Kitagawa Sensei teaches us the range of nail shapes.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35429/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35429.jpg)
Kitagawa Sensei teaches us the range of nail shapes.
![Some aspects of nailist training are not so pretty. Here we see a comparison of nail disease information in both the American and Japanese training books.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35424/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35424.jpg)
Some aspects of nailist training are not so pretty. Here we see a comparison of nail disease information in both the American and Japanese training books.
![Advanced students learn precision design techniques.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35425/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35425.jpg)
Advanced students learn precision design techniques.
![This advanced student is practicing gradation styles on nail chips.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35426/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35426.jpg)
This advanced student is practicing gradation styles on nail chips.
![Beginner nailists must master correct filing techniques.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35427/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35427.jpg)
Beginner nailists must master correct filing techniques.
![There is actually a specific way to remove polish from the nails.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5345-35428/1000/tokyo-le-vernis-nail-school-ikebukuro-35428.jpg)
There is actually a specific way to remove polish from the nails.
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