"My father, who was a shoemaker, fell in love with the leather from Ilcea, an Italian company, and bought it. The cream just soaks in so easily," says Taro Miyazaki, representative of Miyazaki Shoe Manufacturing, which handles Asakusa shoe customization, passionately explaining as he spreads out the raw hides. The brand started in 2009 and began selling men's shoes on the first basement floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building last autumn. From Wednesday, June 28th, Asakusa shoe customization will hold its first pattern order event. Customers can order shoes by combining four types of materials, including deadstock leather from Ilcea, three designs, and two types of sole materials.

Taro Miyazaki, president of Miyazaki Shoe Manufacturing, a company that makes custom-made shoes in Asakusa.

The brand name reflects the desire to "have a masterpiece custom-made in Asakusa."

Asakusa Kacho is a brand that combines "Asakusa," a sacred place for shoemaking, with "Kachō," a coined word born from the image of skilled craftsmen making shoes to order. The brand is committed to Japanese-made Goodyear welt construction. With a focus on comfort and timeless designs that are not influenced by trends, while keeping prices low, the shoes are a strong ally for Japanese businessmen.

When asked why he insists on the Goodyear welt construction method, Taro Miyazaki of Miyazaki Shoe Manufacturing, the company behind the brand, replied, "First and foremost, it's for durability. We use sturdy leather and attach the sole through two stitching processes, a welt stitch and an outsole stitch, so it can withstand light rain. It can also be repaired with a full sole replacement, so shoes worn by customers who take good care of them by applying cream can be restored to like-new condition."

Miyazaki Shoe Manufacturing is a well-known shoe factory in the industry, and Mr. Miyazaki is the second generation owner. For many years, they have handled OEM production for numerous famous brands and have their own factory in Senboku District, Akita Prefecture, employing 30 craftsmen.

"My father, the previous owner, apprenticed with a shoemaker after graduating from junior high school, and became an independent craftsman at the age of 20. He went through a lot of hardship to start the company, but my father always said, 'In the end, good materials and good craftsmanship make for good shoes,'" says Miyazaki.

Furthermore, while Miyazaki Shoe Manufacturing is committed to the Goodyear welt construction method, they are also trying out many new things, such as incorporating new materials. "Goodyear welt shoes use molded cork as cushioning material, but cork deteriorates easily and sinks to the shape of the foot, so we use a high-rebound sponge that has excellent shock absorption. We actively incorporate anything that makes sense to ensure comfortable walking," they say.

NEXT≫ Combine 3 designs, 4 materials, and 2 sole materials to create your own pair of shoes.