On Sunday, February 16, 2020, a new champion will be decided.

More and more people are taking up "shoe shining" as a way to make their shoes last longer and to express their individuality. Specialty shops are opening all over the country, and the world championship was held in London, England in 2017, showing just how much attention it is getting.

Amidst all this, the " Shoe Shining Championship " was launched in Japan in 2018. The intense "Shoe Shine Battle," which brought together renowned shoe shiners from all over the country, is still fresh in our memories as it revealed the depth of shoe shining to many people, not just shoe shining enthusiasts.

The competition, held as the main event of the "GINZA SHOE SHINE FESTA," a shoe shine festival for people who love shoes and shoe polishing, will have its preliminary rounds on Saturday, February 15th, 2020, followed by the final round on Sunday, February 16th, where the winner will be decided. Registration for participation has already started on Monday, December 9th, and the deadline is 6 PM on Sunday, December 22nd.

In this upcoming competition, which is expected to be even more exciting, each participant will have 20 minutes (in the final round) to polish a designated pair of shoes, and will be judged on factors such as the intensity of the shine, balance, and the beauty of their movements. A high level of competition is expected, with participants ranging from professional shoemakers to amateurs confident in their shoe-polishing skills.

*Registration for the "Shoe Polishing Championship 2020" has closed.



■Related Articles: [Event Report (2018)] Shoe Shining Championship held at Ginza Mitsukoshi - The first champion was decided from among 12 professional shoe shiners!
- [Event Report (2019)] The winner of the 2nd Shoe Shining Championship has been decided.

Photo: Tatsuya Ozawa