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10 Popular Japanese Shoe Brands That Are So Mysterious
For decades, the “Made in Japan” stamp has been synonymous with the finest quality and thoughtful dedication to detail, and footwear is no exception.
Let’s explore the 12 most popular Japanese shoe brands to learn why shoes from this country capture the attention of shoe and fashion addicts from many parts of the world.
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10 Famous Japanese Shoe Brands That Are So Mysterious
ASICS – Famous Japanese athletic shoe brand
ASICS is the first in mind in this Japanese shoe brand list. ASICS got its first name after its founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, as Onitsuka Co., Ltd.
The brand was founded on September 1, 1949.
ASICS focuses on various athletic footwear options with a strong focus on performance, and running shoes are the best-selling among them.
The brand offers various choices for different running styles and demands, including those with extra support or minimal appearance.
Plus, these running shoes feature advanced innovations, including the lightweight FlyteFoam or GEL cushioning system for a more responsive and springy run or the Trusstic System for added stability in the midfoot and less risk of injury.
Beyond running shoes, ASICS has also expanded its target market to other shoe styles, including lifestyle sneakers and sports-specific footwear.
Comme des Garçons
Despite its French name, Comme des Garçons (CDG) is another reputable Japanese shoe brand. The brand has roots in Paris, France, but has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
The brand was founded by Rei Kawakubo, a renowned Japanese fashion designer, aiming to deliver luxury, exceptional footwear products to fashion-forward consumers.
CDG is famous for unconventional shoe silhouettes that break traditional limits in shoe designs. Its shoes are made of deconstructed fabrics and asymmetric cuts, resulting in a unique appearance for the wearers.
The shoe lines are designed by talented Japanese shoe designers, including Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe, Tao Kurihara, Fumito Ganryu, and Kei Ninomiya.
CGD shoes are available in monochrome colors and are great to mix with outfits for an impressive streetwear look.
Check more: 10 Famous Hiking Shoe Brands
Hender Scheme
Hender Scheme has been a game changer in the Japanese shoe industry since its inception in 2010.
The brand was established in Asakusa, a historic city in the middle of Tokyo, by Ryo Kashiwazaki. Since then, it has been innovating the footwear industry by combining premium materials with high craftsmanship.
All Hender Scheme shoes are handcrafted by skilled workers, which is reasonable for their premium price tags.
Plus, the shoes are made of the finest materials, especially leather. These handmade leather shoes deliver a luxury twist on classic sneakers.
Hence, Hender Scheme shoes are becoming an exciting add-on to the wardrobes of many young people.
Losers
Losers by Etsuhide Nishiwaki was founded in 1975. This Tokyo-based shoe brand focuses on producing minimalist sneakers that carry the “iki” aesthetic – an exceptional concept of beauty and perseverance in Japan.
The traditional “iki” is reflected in the smallest details of the Losers shoes. For example, the shoe’s color schemes are the appropriate colors (“48 brown and 100 gray”) that common folk could wear during the Edo period.
Beyond impressive color ranges, Losers is also favored for its commitment to minimalism and comfort. Its colorful shoes perfectly complete their owner’s outfits, with no visual branding on the products.
Mamian
Mamian is a reliable choice when it comes to first-class women’s shoes. The brand was founded in 2007 by two founders, Masaru Kitano and Hiroaki Shitano.
Since then, it has maintained its headquarters in Hiroshima and frequently released various shoe choices for fashion-forward women.
Mamian offers various dressy footwear options for modern women, including pumps, flats, ballet flats, boots, and booties. These shoes have artistic, feminine designs and are made of unconventional materials for extra comfort and support with every move.
The shoes go beyond traditional footwear to stay balanced between artistry and creativity.
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Mizuno
Mizuno has been well-known for over 100 years for its high-quality athletics sneakers for various sports, including running, skiing, badminton, baseball, swimming, tennis, table tennis, etc.
This global corporation was founded in 1906 in Osaka by Rihachi Mizuno and got its first name as Mizuno Brothers. Soon, it grew fast to become a global phenomenon among rivals like Nike and Adidas.
Mizuno shoes are favored by professional athletes and sports enthusiasts, thanks to their continuous innovations in footwear production. In other words, the brand has released various technologies catering to its customers’ comfort and performance.
Some of the most highlighted features are:
- Mizuno’s Wave cushioning for added stability while running.
- The 3D-Solid for the highest level of softness and durability.
- The AirMesh used in the shoe’s upper for breathability.
- The Mizuno CoolTouch for softness and quick dryness.
Onitsuka Tiger
Onitsuka Tiger, a subsidiary of ASICS Corporation, is a well-known brand when thinking about Japanese sneakers.
The brand was started in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Kobe, Japan. Since then, it has quickly gained popularity worldwide, especially in Europe.
All Onitsuka Tiger shoes, including the timeless classic Mexico 66, perfectly mix retro design with functionality.
First, they are inspired by the retro and vintage fashion styles. Their color schemes and small details reflect the old-fashioned trends in Japanese society, yet still are timeless staples for many generations.
As a part of the sports giant ASICS, Onitsuka Tiger inherits its parent’s latest innovations, resulting in premium performance in sports.
Some highlighted technologies include reactive fabrics, wearable sports tech, FuzeGEL, Airhole-Air, 3M Thinsulate insulation, and knitted construction.
Shoes Like Pottery
If you are seeking extraordinary made-in-Japan shoes, Shoes Like Pottery should be an ideal option.
The brand was founded in 2010 in Kurume, Fukuoka, by Hikaru Ono. Since then, the brand has been worldwide well-known for its artisanal craftsmanship and unique footwear manufacturing process.
As its name implies, every pair of Shoes Like Pottery shoes has to be fired in a kiln, which is similar to pottery-making.
According to this ancient Japanese vulcanization process, shoes should be put in an extreme heat of 120oC for 70 minutes to cause the raw rubber and sulfur to react chemically.
This process melts the rubber to its natural elasticity, resulting in flexible and resilient soles with unique textures.
Suicoke
Suicoke shoes are known for their versatile design and comfort. The brand started in 2006 with niche accessories and entered the footwear industry in 2007.
Yet, it was not until the mid-2010s that Suicoke’s suede boots became a phenomenon.
Starting from niche accessories, Suicoke offers various footwear choices for outdoor activities, including contemporary sandals, casual shoes, and slides.
What’s noticeable about Suicoke shoes is that they are loved for their contemporary, creative designs. Some best-sellers, including the Corthethu, DEPA, CHIN, SHACO, or KISEE-V, have been highly praised as challenges to the norms among Japanese shoe companies.
While in Japan, you can visit its headquarters and founding location in Tokyo.
Visvim
Are you looking for a high-quality Japanese men’s shoe brand? You should check out Visvim – a favorite choice of Eric Clapton and John Mayer. The brand was founded in 2001 by Hiroki Nakamura in Ura-Harajuku.
Now, Visvim shoes have appeared in Japan and the US and are sold globally at luxury retailers and boutiques like Bergdorf Goodman (New York) or Dover Street Market (London).
Visvim is known for its timeless footwear that blends the artisanal Japanese traditions with American ruggedness. For example, the Visvim FBT takes its inspiration from traditional Native American moccasins.
Nonetheless, the brand also takes an innovative approach to shoemaking, with some modern technologies like Gore-Tex or Vibram outsoles.
Final Words
After exploring the 12 best Japanese shoe brands, you will have more clues to pick up your next pair of shoes.
Whether you are looking for stilettos for your dressy outfits, sneakers for daily walks, or running shoes for long sessions that require high performance, we have valuable suggestions that cater to your demands and budgets.