Deep dive into Japanese brands! A tour of famous leather shoe stores with GENSEI & Nin [Regal 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 second installment, and we will focus on REGAL stores, which offer leather shoes suitable for a variety of occasions, from formal to casual.

The newly reopened "REGAL Yaechika"

This time we visited REGAL Yaechika, which just reopened after renovations in September of this year. The store has been redesigned as a new concept store in conjunction with the rebranding of the REGAL brand.

The walls and fixtures are made with natural materials such as Oya stone and wood grain, and gentle curves create a space where you can enjoy carefully selected items to your heart's content. We offer a variety of leather shoe styles, based on the idea that "we want you to enjoy leather shoes in a wide range of situations, not just business situations."

The two browse leather shoes in the spacious store. With a wide selection of both men's and women's shoes, they find themselves reaching for one model after another that catches their eye.

◆The shoes chosen by the two are here

Gensei's choice: "Plain Toe (02BLGTX)" (44,000 yen)

After much deliberation, GENSEI chose the "02BLGTX" model, which combines a classic plain-toe design with waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex. Its authentic style also complements casual styles.

Ning's choice: "Double Monk Strap (10BLCFL)" (41,800 yen)

Next, Ning selected a pair of double monks. They are elegant yet easy to coordinate with casual outfits, and the Vibram outsole makes them easy to walk in. The thick oiled leather will change over time as you continue to wear them.

Experience our unique shoe care service, where your shoes will be revived with professional techniques!

Regal stores offer shoe care services. They offer a wide range of services, from quick care to specialized maintenance, by professional staff who have qualified under the company's unique "Shoe Care Advisor" certification system. What's great about "Pre-Maintenance," which moisturizes new shoes with cream, and "Quick," a basic shoe polish, are that they can be completed in just 10 minutes. This time, we tried out the "Quick" menu.

After removing dirt and dust with a brush, further dirt is wiped away with lotion, cream is applied and brushed, and finally, the shoes are wiped dry. By the way, wooden shoe trees are placed in the shoes during shoe care, which not only absorbs excess moisture from the leather but also has the effect of preventing the shoes from losing their shape. Moisture-absorbing leather is prone to losing its shape and is the cause of deterioration, so placing shoe trees in the shoes on a regular basis can apparently reduce this.

Here are the leather shoes after the service. It is heart-warming to see the shoes gradually regain their shine thanks to the skilled hands of the staff.

■REGAL Yaechika

Address: Yaesu 2-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Yaesu Underground Mall, Outer Moat, Underground Street 2

Phone number: 03-3271-7655

Business hours: 10:00-20:00

Regal official website ( https://www.regal.co.jp/shop/default.aspx )

■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/