Japan is a country known for its frequent rain, with Tokyo experiencing rain one day out of every three. To address this climate, Mitsukoshi Isetan's "Enjoy Rainy Day" initiative proposes ways to spend the gloomy and damp rainy season comfortably, happily, and fashionably, all from a fashion perspective. From Wednesday, May 25th, the men's shoe section on the first basement floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building will be showcasing a wide array of shoes equipped with GORE-TEX® fabrics, a brand known for its waterproof and breathable materials. Fashion journalist Takahiro Iino and Akira Sekiya of Gore Japan will join forces with Keita Tashiro, assistant buyer in charge of men's shoes at Mitsukoshi Isetan, to explore the appeal of these shoes.


Tashiro: This year's "Enjoy Rainy Day" will heavily feature Surround® product technology. The brands in the lineup are REGAL and madras , both prestigious and long-established Japanese companies. First, Sekiya-san, could you tell us about the development process?
Sekiya Gore-Tex® footwear has previously been strongly associated with winter. However, Gore-Tex® products are designed to make people's lives more comfortable 365 days a year. To re-emphasize this, we focused on the soles of the feet. In fact, this is the area where sweat glands are most concentrated. We developed a structure that provides 360-degree breathability, as the name "Surround" suggests, and launched dress shoes in Japan in 2015.


I understand that Ms. Tashiro Iino actually wears REGAL shoes. What do you think of them?
Masanao Iino had been wondering about the combination of technology and dress shoes. When he was younger, he wore Danner's "Danner Light" boots, and they boasted such impenetrable protection that he had to conclude there were no better boots for the snowy landscapes of Tokyo. Because of that image, he thought it would be too much.
You'll be amazed by their "underlying" strength once you put them on, or more accurately, after you've finished wearing them. Despite having rubber soles, they might even feel less stuffy than leather soles. Moreover, the moisture had completely evaporated by the next day. Shoe lovers don't wear the same shoes two days in a row (lol), but they were in such good condition that I could have gone out into town in them.


Mr. Sekiya, you're praising Tashiro quite a lot, aren't you?
I'm Mitsuhiro Sekiya (laughs). To achieve waterproofing and breathability in a single shoe, you can't cut corners, not just on the upper but down to every single stitch. This is especially true for a new project. It was worth noting that we didn't compromise.
Mr. Iino Gore's strictness is well-known in the industry (laughs). I've heard that they had a tough time with the sole design. They had to incorporate bold cuts to achieve breathability while also ensuring strength, so I imagine the people on site had a very hard time.


It's easy to imagine that Tashiro, along with the materials manufacturer, put all their efforts into developing this product. But even so, what is the key to winning over a global brand to that extent? Of course, I think the product's potential is overwhelmingly high.
If I may say so myself, the key to our success lies not in simply selling a product and being done with it, but in building a system that ensures its potential is not diminished. We only do business with certified factories that have cleared rigorous tests from the prototype stage to mass production and have signed licensing agreements. These agreements are renewed once a year. Furthermore, we prioritize strengthening our relationships with existing partners rather than increasing the number of business partners.
By playing a role in guaranteeing the value of Tashiro GORE-TEX® footwear, we foster a strong sense of pride in being a partner to our business partners.


The leather's texture and appearance will impress even shoe enthusiasts.

Tashiro, what kind of shoes have you worn on rainy days until now?
Iino relied on rubber-soled shoes after all. Leather soles are inherently slippery, and require constant care.
How do you deal with the dampness in Tashiro ?
Even Manatsu Iino wears thin wool socks. It might just be my personal feeling, but they keep my skin drier than cotton socks.
Tashiro : I see. So, what about when you absolutely have to wear dressy shoes?
Iino: It's time to put those shoes that need some maintenance to work. For pre-care, I'll apply a light water-repellent spray and then give them a mirror polish.
Tashiro : Ah, I understand. The wax repels water, right?

REGAL left-handed/center left "108S" 36,720 yen, center right/right "109S" 36,720 yen

Apparently, Legal was already impressed by Sekiya Precare at that stage.
Iino Cream penetrates endlessly. It was completely different from any water-repellent leather I'd ever encountered. It maintains the texture of the leather while also being water-repellent. The way they achieved that balance was something I'd never experienced before. When I asked the product planner, they said they were sourcing some very high-quality leather.
Tashiro: Our reason for highlighting these shoes isn't just their functionality. Rather, we appreciate their appealing appearance, which will satisfy even the most discerning shoe enthusiasts. As Iino pointed out, REGAL offer the joy of polishing and utilize the authentic Goodyear welt construction method. madras , on the other hand, pursue fashionability through hand-painting. These are truly shoes that fulfill the desire to "enjoy rainy days."

From left to right: madras "M706S" ¥32,400, "M705S" ¥32,400, "M722S" ¥34,560, "M720S" ¥34,560

Iino: These shoes aren't just for rainy days. As I mentioned earlier, they're incredibly breathable. If you're someone who travels frequently for work or spends a lot of time outdoors, these shoes will definitely be your go-to choice. For the average businessman, a price tag of around 30,000 yen is quite high. However, considering how well they perform, I think it's well worth it.
These all-weather shoes from Tashiro Footwear are truly revolutionary. In this era where both fashion and function are in demand, these shoes are arguably the best example of what we need.
Iino: Yes. I sincerely hope for a bright future for good old-fashioned dress shoes (laughs), but this should be the starting point for pioneering a completely new genre.
It's been almost 10 years since we started carrying Tashiro GORE-TEX® footwear. We started with walking-type shoes. Thanks to taking our time and carefully developing the brand, we've seen an increase in customers specifically requesting our products. This trend is sure to accelerate.

Text: Takegawa Keiji
Photo: Fujii Taku

*All prices include tax.

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03-3352-1111 (main representative)