Leather shoes tend to wear down over time, with areas like the heels and openings becoming scuffed and need repair. At the men's shoe care corner on the first basement floor of the Isetan Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , we offer a variety of consultations to help you keep your precious leather shoes looking great for longer. Here, our repair professionals will clearly explain some of the most common issues and consultations we receive.

We will explain everything in detail, from the nature of your inquiry to the timing of the repair.

ISETAN MEN'S offers high-quality and speedy shoe repair services for a wide variety of shoes!

 

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  The person who will be teaching us is Kazuhiro Yamada.
  I am in charge of shoe repairs at the "Shoe Care Corner" on the B1 floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . I can handle a wide range of inquiries regarding shoe repairs. I am a specialist with 15 years of experience in shoe repair, having repaired a total of 150,000 pairs of shoes.

At the shoe care corner in ISETAN MEN'S , shoe repair professionals are always on hand to "restore shoes to almost their original condition." They offer a range of services, from basic repairs such as attaching rubber to leather soles or repairing worn heels with rubber, to full sole replacements, mending loose stitching, and color correction. Recently, they have been receiving a wide variety of requests, including sneaker sole repairs and repairs to cracks and tears in the upper leather.

Furthermore, our "Shoe Care Corner" prioritizes speed to accommodate urgent repair requests. By thoroughly preparing in advance, we are able to quickly handle repairs that would take several days at other shops.

Inquire about shoe repair via LINE

 

First, let's understand the benefits of getting repairs done immediately after purchase.

When you buy new shoes, do you just wear them right away? One recommended pre-wear care is "sole reinforcement (reinforcement of the forefoot)." Of course, you can repair them later after wearing them for the first time, but there are two main advantages to doing it immediately after purchase: ① It improves grip, making them less likely to slip, and ② Reinforcing the soles beforehand will make the shoes last longer. In this way, we will introduce repair options while explaining the benefits and points.

 

An explanation of customer-submitted shoe repair cases: What are the "Top 6 Shoe Repairs of the Year"?

Menu prices start from 4,400 yen

When you notice wear and tear on the outsole, it's a sign that it's time for repairs! Also great for reinforcing leather soles before you even wear them for the first time.

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The most frequently requested shoe repair service is "half-sole modification." While leather soles have a luxurious feel, new leather soles are particularly slippery. Therefore, many customers order rubber modification to protect the leather soles from wear and tear and to enhance grip. Also, once the outsole wears down after use, half-sole reinforcement is necessary to extend the lifespan of the shoes before needing a full sole repair and to allow them to be worn for a longer period.

Examples of rubber sole processing

Examples of half-leather soles

For sole reinforcement requests, we recommend either applying a half-rubber or half-leather sole, or, depending on the wear on the heel, a full sole replacement. In this case, we suggested a half-leather sole, and at the same time (though not urgent), we also reinforced the toe area with steel reinforcement.

2. For reinforcing worn-out toes and for a stylish look!
"Steel toe cap"

Menu Price: From 5,500 yen

It's such a popular service that there are "steel toe enthusiasts" who insist on having steel toe caps added to their new shoes.

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This steel reinforcement is designed to reduce wear on the toe area, but it can only be attached to shoes with leather soles. It also looks stylish, and many customers request this repair before even wearing their shoes for the first time.
Also, because new shoes have stiff leather soles, the toes tend to rub against the ground and wear down easily until they become flexible. If you are concerned about wear and tear, we recommend getting them repaired.

Our "Shoe Care Corner" offers a wide variety of options, including our original steel toe caps, so you can enjoy choosing the perfect one to match your shoes. Please ask our staff for more details!


Examples of steel toe processing

Watch the "MY SHOES ROUTINE ~Pre-Maintenance Edition~" video to learn about steel toe modification.
@isetanmens_shoes

 

3. Heel wear repair: "Heel replacement service"

Menu prices: From 3,960 yen

The heels are where your walking habits tend to show. Since these are your favorite shoes, you should check them regularly!

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The wear on the heels is one area you should definitely check. Many people have probably noticed the wear on the heels of the shoes of the person in front of them on the escalator and thought, "Wow, those heels are worn down!"

Examples of worn-out heels (top) → repaired heels (bottom)

The heel of the leather shoes (pictured above) is made of layers of leather and rubber, with a half-rubber sole attached to the front of the sole. For the repair, we recommended a rubber heel to improve grip, and chose one that is 6mm thick. We stock heel parts from companies such as Vibram of Italy, so we recommend consulting with us before the repair to decide on the best option.

Furthermore, ISETAN MEN'S store is fully equipped with tools such as cutters for trimming the edge shape of the heel, heat-activated waterproofing agents, and edge irons for increasing strength. We have a wide variety of heel parts available, from leather to rubber, so we are in an environment where we can provide you with a satisfactory repair.

Watch the "MY SHOES ROUTINE ~Heel Repair Edition" video, which introduces heel repair.
@isetanmens_shoes

 

4. Repair of the entire leather sole: "Full sole replacement"

Full sole replacement is chosen by those who want to enjoy a truly authentic look with leather shoes, rather than opting for a half-rubber sole. Leather soles have the advantages of being flexible, breathable, and conforming well to the foot.

 

 

Examples of full sole replacement for leather shoes

The shoes (pictured above) before repair have worn-out soles, but they are still in a condition where a half-rubber sole can be applied. The customer can choose to have the entire sole replaced or have a half-rubber sole applied, but since these shoes were made using the Goodyear welt construction method, a full sole replacement would require replacing both the outsole and the batten.

The Goodyear welt construction is characterized by its flexibility, so attaching a hard, strong sole can change the feel of the shoe. This time, we recommended a soft leather sole to avoid compromising that characteristic. The fact that Goodyear welt construction shoes, which are commonly found in Italian brands, can be completely resoled is good news for leather shoe enthusiasts.

 

5. Restore worn-out shoe openings to their original condition!
"Repairing the opening of the shoe"

Menu pricing: Repair costs vary depending on the condition of the item, so please consult with us in-store first.

Even worn-out and scuffed shoes can be restored to their original condition with repairs!

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A surprisingly little-known but popular repair service: wear and tear around the opening of your shoes can actually be repaired. At first glance, this part is hidden by your slacks once you're wearing them, but it can be seen by others when you lift your feet on escalators or stairs, so we recommend consulting us about repairs.

Examples of shoe opening repairs

(The shoes in the photo above) have synthetic leather beading that serves both as reinforcement and decoration around the opening, so the surface is peeling and the inner core is showing. At ISETAN MEN'S , we offer repairs such as applying leather from the inside of the heel counter and stitching it at the top, or creating leather beading and wrapping it around to repair the slippage and finish the shoe. In this case, we used the latter method.

To prevent wear and tear on the opening of your shoes, make sure to use a shoehorn.

Watch the "MY SHOES ROUTINE ~Lining Repair Edition~" video to learn about lining (inner part) repair.
@isetanmens_shoes

 

6. Regular care for leather shoes: "Shoe polishing"

Menu prices start from 1,100 yen

Perfect for pre-maintenance of new products! It's an important part of shoe care for the shoes themselves.

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Often compared to human skin, shoes also dry out and deteriorate, so it's important to nourish them regularly. Many people don't know this, but it's a good idea to polish new shoes as a pre-maintenance step, because they dry out between the time they're molded and when they're sold.

Examples of shoe shining

Furthermore, it will naturally look better, so we recommend it. You can add a touch of glamour and lift your spirits with a mirror-like finish, or you can deliberately choose a matte finish. Enjoy how the look changes depending on the finish.
At our "Shoe Care Corner," we'll polish the shoes you're wearing that day. We can finish the job in as little as 15 minutes, so please bring them in!

Other frequently asked questions about repairs

Another frequently requested repair is size adjustment. By inserting leather under the insole, we can adjust the size without compromising the appearance. (Please note that we generally adjust sizes up to half sizes.)

We also frequently repair pinky finger patches. While it's easy to overlook, the pinky finger lining is often torn, and we often recommend repairs.

Inquire about shoe repair via LINE

 

Sole types and repair prices

For leather soles, we offer a wide selection of top-quality leather soles from around the world, including those from Rendenbach and German Oakbark in Germany, Oakbark from Baker in England, and Lemonti in Italy.

Our rubber soles offer a wide range of options, including various soles from Italy's Vibram, as well as British-made Dainite and Ridgeway soles. Since comfort is a major factor, we encourage you to find your favorite! (*All prices are for both shoes.)

1. Types of top lifts

 

2. Types of full soles

Replacing the soles can affect the overall look and feel of your shoes, so it might be a good idea to consult not only with us, but also with a store stylist who sees a wide variety of shoes on a regular basis.

 

Inquire about shoe repair via LINE

 

Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store
Find the latest information on ISETAN MEN'S men's shoes here.

Men's shoes Instagram: @isetanmens_shoes

*Depending on the condition of the shoes you bring in, we may not be able to meet your request.
*Depending on the nature of the repair, we may need to keep your item for several days before it can be returned to you.
*Please ask a staff member for more details.
*Some text has been revised due to price changes and menu content changes. [February 8, 2026]
＊All prices include tax.