[Nagoya] Creating a place where people can connect with each other

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Located in Nagonocho, just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Nagoya, Endoji Shopping Street is a historic area said to be one of the oldest shopping streets in Nagoya. On this quiet street corner, you'll find a place that warmly welcomes visitors: Antico Ciabattino, a shop specializing in custom-made shoes and shoe repairs.

This shop is beloved as a place where people can interact and feel connected through shoemaking and repair. Through the large windows, you can see shoemaker Hiroshi Asaoka intently working on his leather shoes. When you open the door, you'll be greeted by the scent of leather and the warm expression of the owner, Mr. Asaoka. This shop is filled with the owner's desire to create a place where people can cherish life and feel connected to each other through shoes.

The beginning of Antico Ciabattino

The story of the origins of Antico Ciabattino dates back to the days of shop owner Asaoka's days as an office worker. Asaoka was originally troubled by the fact that ready-made shoes did not fit his feet, he found a shoe school and decided to pursue a career as a leather shoemaker. After graduating, he opened "Antico Ciabattino," a shop that handles everything from shoe manufacturing to repair, based on the concept of a "shoemaker's shoe repair shop." The name of the shop, which was thought up by an Italian friend, means "old shoemaker" or "shoe repairer" in Italian.

A place where people interact

For Asaoka, making shoes is not just a job. He says he feels great joy in being involved in every step of the process until a pair of shoes is completed, and finishing them with his own hands right up to the moment they are finally handed over to the customer. He happily tells us that when he sees the satisfied faces of his customers, he breathes a sigh of relief and at the same time feels a deep sense of accomplishment. Custom-made shoes are appreciated as a gift that will last a lifetime, and he continues to have long-lasting relationships with his customers through repairs and other services.

Asaoka says that the reason he started the handmade shoe classes, which he has been holding since the company's founding, was to create a place where people could connect through shoemaking. The handmade shoe classes are also popular as a place for participants to socialize with each other. As participants learn about the characteristics and uses of leather and create their own unique pair of shoes, the bonds between them naturally deepen. Some veterans have been attending for over 10 years, and making shoes for family and friends has become a part of their daily routine.

In addition to shoe repairs and custom-made shoemaking, Antico Ciabattino also holds workshops that make effective use of the leather that is left over from the manufacturing process. Since Endoji Shopping Street has been featured in the media, the number of visitors from overseas has increased, and it is bustling with tourists on weekends.

One of the most popular workshops is the "accordion pouch." Participants choose their favorite material from pre-cut parts and assemble them using metal fittings.

You can also engrave your own original patterns into the leather, and in a short space of time you will learn the basics of the various processes.

Thoughts about the local community and "Nagono Geta"

As part of efforts to revitalize the local area, the company has begun selling "Nagono Geta." Using fabric from Oshu Orimono, Ichinomiya, each set is handmade in a workshop in Nagoya. Combining shoemaking and geta craftsmanship, the colorful original thongs give the seta a special feel. Suitable for both traditional Japanese clothing and everyday use, these footwear have received a steady stream of orders from all over the country and have been loved by many people since they went on sale in 2018. "Through this Nagoya Set, we would also like to focus on spreading the traditions and culture of the region," said Asaoka.

On weekdays, local office workers drop in leisurely, enjoying casual conversation with the owner, Mr. Asaoka, and asking for advice on their shoe problems while their shoes are being polished. Such is the warmth of everyday life at Antico Ciabattino. In addition to providing detailed advice, Mr. Asaoka also values ​​his connections with the local community.

In a corner of Nagoya Town, there is a place where people can connect with each other through shoes and build warm bonds.

Store name: Antico Ciabattino, a specialty store for custom-made shoes and shoe repairs

Address: Harmonica House, Room 1C, 1-21-21 Nagono, Nishi-ku, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City Nishi Ward, 451-0042

Access: 15 minutes on foot from Nagoya Station

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antico_ciabattino/

HP: https://anticociabattino.com/

*For details on opening hours and closing days, please check the link above.

summary

This time we introduced the Shikado area, which is within walking distance from Nagoya Station and retains its traditional streetscape. It's dotted with long-established gourmet restaurants and stylishly renovated old houses, making it a great place for a stroll. Be sure to stop by during Nagoya sightseeing trip.

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