Ready To Wear Shoes Map – Japan

Japanese dress shoes have a high reputation in the world, because the quality is top-notch. Japanese are more focused on domestic market and not so passionate about expanding to the rest of the world. For various reasons, not many people outside of Japan have tried Japanese shoes. At present, it is the Swedes who are promoting Japanese brands…

Japanese bespoke shoemakers are more known than Ready To Wear shoe brands, and this list only focus the latter.

Calmanthology

Price Point: 950 USD

A brand that has been established for a few years, produced locally in Japan. Aesthetics is the selling point which does not disappoint at all.

A very classic practice of simple aesthetics on dress shoes!

Corno Blu

Price Point: 800 USD

It was founded in 2004 by the well-known Japanese shoemaker Yutaka Aokami, who studied under Roberto Ugolini. In addition to Bespoke, there are MTOs.

There are only two people in the shop, and although the construction is Goodyear, the shoes are certainly not mass production. The price is still very good.

Otsuka

Price Point: 700 USD

The long-established company that introduced Western boots during the Meiji Restoration has long been a supplier of dress shoes for the Japanese imperial family. Bespoke business prices are also high.

There are many sub-brands and grades, and the M5 collection is the most high-end, with many details that are very powerful.

Joe Works

Price Point: 650 USD

The small workshop composed of three people, which has only a few styles and two lasts. It firmly shows the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.

Oriental

Price Point: 600 USD

The boutique’s own label, as a high-end staple of its own store, began to produce in Nara in 1957 with its own factory. There are four collections Top Grade, Bevelled Goodyear, Superior Goodyear, and Regular Goodyear. The prices are 1000, 600, 500, 400 USD respectively. Top Grade is handwelted. The name Bevelled speaks for itself. Superior focuses on American (ugly) style.

The shoes give a very British feel. The lasts are good, and the price is indeed high.

42nd Royal Highland

Price Point: 500 USD (Exclusive Collection)

The giant in the Japanese shoe industry, founded in the 90s, focuses on imitating the traditional British style. Top line Exclusive is produced in Japan, and the craftsmanship and leather are great. The rest are made in China.

Miyagi Kogyo

Price Point: 500 USD

It was established in 1941 and was one of the first shoe factories in Japan to introduce the Goodyear construction. In 1952, the production line was upgraded.

Since 1969, Miyagi Kogyo has partnered with English shoemaker Barker by manufacturing shoes in Japan for Barker.

The MTO service was launched in 2004.

Soffice & Solid

Price Point: 500 USD

Union Royal launched a brand, in terms of price, higher than Union Imperial, and shoes are all produced in Japan. The main feature is Bologna Goodyear construction, which is comfortable and durable. The shoes have a nice British elegance.

Rendo

Price Point: 450 USD

This is a brand that was only established in 2013. In the beginning, it was just a personal shoe store but provided bespoke service. Later, the last in the store was optimized, and then a ready to wear collection was launched.

Union Imperial

Price Point: 450 USD

A premium brand under Union Royal. It was launched as a separate brand in 2008 and has always been a high-end line of Union Royal, which was founded in 1952.

It is currently divided into three lines: Premium, Prestige and Goodyear. Goodyear line is currently produced in Vietnam, it should be made by CNES, why should I buy a Japanese brand made by a Vietnamese shoemaker?

Scotch Grain

Price Point: 430 USD (Executive Collection)

Originally a factory making shoes European and American brands, it launched its own label in 1978, initially producing cemented and Blake stitched shoes, and then moved to Goodyear construction to enhance quality improvement.

The style is either not good-looking, or very traditional and conservative, and the aesthetic optimization is not enough.

Raymar

Price Point: 220 USD

A start-up brand established less than a few years ago, the selling points are very clear, handwelted for 260 USD, Goodyear 190 USD, leather from top tanneries, and working with enthusiasts to optimize the lasts.

Origio

Price Point: 190 USD

Oriental’s entry-level sub-brand with Blake construction launched in 2017. The shoes are the representative of garbage.

Kanpekina

Founded in 1985, the name Perfetto is used in Japan, and there is also a sub-brand Fugashin, produced in Vietnam. Originally focused only on pompous, extravagant styles, using rather special leathers and bright colors.

But at present, while retaining its characteristics, it is also shifting to a simpler style and uses leathers from Italian tanneries.