The current and former shoe buyers at ISETAN MEN'S each designed new models of ISETAN MEN'S original shoes that are useful for everyday business wear. Current buyer Tomoyasu Tabata recommends the 20,000 yen (excluding tax) ISETAN MEN'S original shoes, which have made a comeback after several seasons, while former buyer Takashi Fukuda recommends the 30,000 yen (excluding tax) model.



Based on the theme of "the best cost performance," these original shoes, crafted in collaboration with one of Japan's leading shoe factories and a skilled shoemaker, are available in three styles—straight tip, punched cap toe, and open lacing plain toe—both priced at 20,000 yen (excluding tax) and 30,000 yen (excluding tax), all essential for business attire. They are perfect as a reward for a year of hard work, or as an opportunity to buy a new pair of men's shoes for the new year.


This time, we interviewed both current and former buyers about the unique features and details of Isetan Men's original shoes, which offer excellent cost performance while being suitable for everyday wear for many people.

A pair of shoes priced at 20,000 yen (excluding tax) that incorporates customer feedback and requests.

Someone recommending shoes costing 20,000 yen (excluding tax)

Tomoyasu Tabata

Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Men's shoe buyer. In my 14th year with the company, I've been in charge of men's shoes for 13 of those years. I've held positions as a buyer for local stores and private brands, and as a sales manager before assuming my current role. My current goal is to create a shopping environment that both customers and stylists can truly enjoy. My motto is "In life, there's no use crying over spilled milk." I live each day to the fullest and enjoy life to the fullest.

The shoe last is one of the most important parts in shoemaking, serving as the base for sewing together the leather around the instep and the sole material. For the ¥20,000 (excluding tax) shoes, we developed a new shoe last and commissioned bespoke shoemaker Yugo Hayano to create them.

The shoe lasts created by Mr. Hayano, who has a deep understanding of Japanese foot shapes, closely resemble the shape of a human foot. While they appear stylish and slender, the thin toe box, small heel, and lowered outer ankle area, which are prone to rubbing, prioritize comfort, resulting in a clean and elegant silhouette.


Furthermore, this model employs the Goodyear welt construction method, a traditional technique from the Marche region of Italy, established around 1850. The Goodyear welt construction is characterized by its simple structure, where the upper and sole are sewn together. It is popular because even brand new shoes are highly flexible and easy to wear from the first day.



Because the outsole doesn't protrude much, it can look more elegant and the design's distinctive features can be highlighted, which is why there are many fans who say they "only wear shoes with a McKay construction."


We also focused on the practicality of the shoes, using rubber for the toe and heel of the sole. Although it's a rubber sole, it's so thin that you can't tell it's rubber even when looking at it from the side. Furthermore, we used a moderately soft rubber sole from Vibram for the heel, which solves the problems of leather shoes being slippery in the rain and wearing down the heels quickly.

Shoes priced at 30,000 yen (excluding tax) that incorporate a sophisticated, international perspective.

Someone recommending shoes costing 30,000 yen (excluding tax)

Takashi Fukuda

Chief buyer at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F. 13 years of experience as a men's wear buyer. As a men's shoe buyer, he has previously planned events such as Kick the City and JAPAN Shoe Fair. A man who loves shoes and whose life is sustained by them. His motto is "Comfort is Luxury." He says that what matters most is whether it feels comfortable to him.

The shoe last was crafted by shoemaker Tetsuya Matsuda. Its most distinctive feature is the sole, which is three-dimensionally finished to enhance the reproduction of the human foot. Overall, it has a classic feel like British shoes, with a round toe that firmly holds the instep, a small heel, and a wide opening. Its most notable feature is its high degree of reproduction of the shape of the foot.



Furthermore, the 30,000 yen (excluding tax) shoes utilize the Goodyear welted construction method, which is robust and highly durable. Compared to the simple and smart McKay construction, they feel stiff at first, but because cork can be inserted inside, they will mold to your feet as you wear them, sinking in with your weight and becoming a one-of-a-kind pair of shoes just for you.


The upper is made from calfskin leather from the renowned French company Annonay, the same leather used in many high-end shoes. This leather has a fine grain, is easy to shape, and becomes even more beautiful the more you wear and polish it.


The sole is made of leather and features a hidden channel construction, a common feature in high-end shoes where no stitching is visible. The edges are also meticulously finished, and you'll be hard-pressed to find shoes with this level of attention to detail for just 30,000 yen (excluding tax).