Deep dive into Japanese brands! A tour of famous leather shoe stores with GENSEI & Nin [Eizo Edition]

A recommended itinerary to enjoy Japanese leather shoes

To fully enjoy the world of Japanese leather shoes, this series will visit the directly managed stores of six companies: REGAL, HARUTA, Otsuka Shoes, Toritsu Shoes, MADRAS, and EIZO! This is the final installment, and we will focus on the EIZO store, which offers a wide range of leather shoes for women, including pumps.

Experience the depth of women's leather shoes at Eizo Collection Soka store

This time we visited Eizo's showroom, the Eizo Collection Soka Store. Located in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture, this store, like Toritsu Shoes, is attached to a factory that serves as the base of manufacturing.

The store is open by appointment only and is used as a base for events such as family sales once or twice a year, where they not only sell shoes but also provide foot measurement services.

The appeal of these pumps is their comfort, made for working women.

Eizo started out with 8cm high heel shoes. According to the staff, Eizo's iconic pumps are "sold for their comfort." There are many customers who return after trying them once, and the secret to this is their unique stable last and the wide range of widths available. Eizo's pumps are based on a 7cm heel, but by using a last that is designed to support the entire body from the foot, they achieve a stable fit that makes you forget the heel height. They also say that they are less likely to cause the back pain that is a common problem with high heels.

However, Eizo offers four width sizes for their classic "V-cut pumps." These are only available in showrooms, but they allow customers to choose leather shoes that fit their feet better based on measurements taken in-store. Ning also tried having her feet measured! While still wearing her socks, she had her foot length, width, and circumference measured with a tape measure. The process took about three minutes.

Upon measuring, Ning found that her foot length was 23cm, with a "C" width on her right foot and a "B" width on her left. The measurements showed a difference between her left and right feet, with her left foot being smaller, and she commented, "It's true, even when wearing shoes of the same size, my left foot tends to float more." Furthermore, because her width was significantly narrower than the standard "D" or "E" widths offered by many brands, it became clear that it was difficult to find shoes that fit. Even if you think you have a general understanding, having a professional find out your size can help you choose shoes in the future.

Staff: With men's shoes, you can adjust the width with shoelaces, but with heel pumps, the fit of the instep is crucial. If the width is not right, it can cause pain and blisters. By the way, all shoes sold by Eizo, except for the V-cut pumps, are based on the "D" size.

◆The shoes chosen by Ning are as follows

Ning's choice: "V-cut pumps (EO17156)" (20,900 yen)

Ning's choice: "V-cut pumps (EO17156)" (20,900 yen)

First, I tried on the V-cut pumps. These shoes have an insole made of high-resilience cushioning material that reduces the burden on the feet, making them suitable for a wide range of occasions, from commuting to formal occasions. This time, I chose the "B" width, which was revealed by the size measurement, and it fit my feet better.

Ning's pick: Knit Square Short Boots (EO73110) (31,900 yen)

Ning's pick: Knit Square Short Boots (EO73110) (31,900 yen)

Eizo not only offers pumps, but also boots and sneakers that are perfect for everyday wear. Ning selected a pair of short boots that combine knit and leather in the same color. The inside of the instep has antibacterial and deodorizing properties.

Eizo Collection Soka Store

Address: 1F, 670-7 Minamigoya, Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture

Business hours: 10:00-16:00

Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (irregular weekday holidays)

Inquiries: 048-951-2081

EIZO official website : ( https://eizo-collection.com/ )

■What is the Japan Shoe Manufacturers Association?

This non-profit organization aims to provide and popularize high-quality leather shoes that are suited to the Japanese climate and Japanese feet. They are involved in a wide range of activities, including providing information on the specifications and quality of leather shoes, formulating the Japanese Leather Shoe Standards (JIS), and addressing environmental issues that arise during the leather shoe manufacturing process. Their goal going forward is to further develop Japanese leather shoes amid increasingly fierce international competition.

Participating companies: Iwate Shoes, Eizo, Otsuka Shoes, Kyowa Kogyo, Chiyoda Shoes, Toritsu Shoes, Haruta, Madras, Miyagi Haruta Shoes, Regal Corporation (in alphabetical order)

Article reprinted from:

FASHIONSNAP Part 1
https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/jsma-vol-1/

FASHIONSNAP Part 2
https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/jsma-vol-2/