"A friend of mine works for a life insurance company, and his boss told him that as part of a salesman's attire, he should choose either straight-tip or plain-toe shoes," says Sota Miyashita, a men's shoe buyer. Spring is a time when many people, including those attending graduation and entrance ceremonies, new employees, and those who have moved to a new job and started wearing suits, are searching for "shoes to wear for work or formal occasions."
For those looking for such shoes, Miyashita recommends the "Tomojiro" straight-tip shoe from SANYO YAMACHO , which is said to be the "pinnacle of practical footwear." This model is popular with customers at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building as "a classic shoe that can be worn with any suit, and is well-balanced to fit Japanese feet."

In this feature, Miyashita explains why he recommends "Tomojiro" and the appeal of SANYO YAMACHO a Japanese shoe manufacturer that provides the best fit for Japanese feet. Learn about the characteristics of Japanese feet and use this information to help you choose the right shoes for yourself.

For Japanese feet, shoes made with lasts designed specifically for Japanese feet are the best.

Japanese people tend to have thinner bones and muscles in their feet compared to Westerners, and their feet are also generally flatter. A characteristic feature is that the arch of the foot ("first instep") is high, while the circumference of the foot ("second instep"), measured around the base of the big toe and the base of the little toe (the ball joint), is thin.



Furthermore, because their heels are small, narrow, and not very rounded, many people find that their heels slip out of foreign-made shoes.


In contrast, the feet of people of European and American descent tend to have a higher second instep and larger heels. Shoes made with European and American-style lasts from overseas brands are attractive for their beautiful form, but when you actually try them on, you may find that the fit around the instep and heel is not right, or that the creases around the instep don't form nicely, which can be a problem for some people.

SANYO YAMACHO 's "Tomojiro" uses a shoe last that "flies very low from the toe to the second instep, and then rises sharply," capturing the characteristics of Japanese feet and providing a perfect fit.

SANYO YAMACHO Tomojiro changed the image of "good leather shoes = high-priced European and American brands."

In 2010, when "good leather shoes" were generally considered to be synonymous with "high-priced European and American brands," SANYO YAMACHO 's "Tomojiro" appeared like a comet.
With its excellent fit and durability, this "ultimate practical shoe" instantly boosted SANYO YAMACHO 's reputation. Suitable for both work and formal occasions, it remains a long-selling straight-tip shoe that you'll want to keep a pair of in your shoe cabinet.

The "R2010" last used in the "Tomojiro" model is a representative last of SANYO YAMACHO , developed by analyzing Japanese foot shape data over a 10-year period and evolving it based on past lasts.




The shoe achieves a three-dimensional aesthetic and a comfortable fit through features such as a small heel cup that holds the heel securely, a narrowed arch support, and a low-profile instep that creates beautiful creases.

At Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building we have a lineup of over 50 models of SANYO YAMACHO shoes, and we have received great feedback from many customers, particularly from models based on the "R309" last, which was used for the square-shaped straight-tip "Tomonosuke" shoe that was created in the same year as the "R2010" last.


Furthermore, the appeal of SANYO YAMACHO isn't limited to its shoe lasts. The leather used is from high-end European tanneries. Its fine grain and lustrous finish give it a luxurious feel worthy of being called "top-of-the-line." In addition, by taking more time than usual to shape the shoes using the shoe lasts, the shoe achieves a high degree of accuracy in recreating the last and boasts excellent three-dimensional balance, which is another attractive feature. It is the culmination of the skills of highly skilled craftsmen.

Within SANYO YAMACHO range, the "Takumi" series, a high-end line that brings together the skills of even more craftsmen, and the "Kinsei" series, the top-of-the-line premium line, are truly impressive series that are made with even more time and effort than the regular lines. The "Kinsei" and "Takumi" series are definitely worth seeing.

"Takumi" series
A premium line showcasing the combined skills of master craftsmen.

"Carefully Crafted" Series
This is SANYO YAMACHO 's top-of-the-line model, incorporating all of their accumulated technologies.

The sole uses oak bark bend leather from the long-established German tannery MARTIN, which is robust and allows for a beautiful finish to the edges. It is made with a "semi-beveled waist" that rounds the arch and narrows the foot, and the logo visible in the photo is also a special limited edition design.
Furthermore, it employs Sanyo Yamacho's unique "Flexible Goodyear Welt Construction" method and features a seamless heel, making it a truly exceptional shoe that represents Sanyo Yamacho.


At Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building on the first basement floor, in the men's shoe section, SANYO YAMACHO stands out as a representative Japanese brand, holding its own against brands like Crockett & Jones, ALDEN , and Carmina in the upper zone. Pattern order events are held every season, and the number of repeat customers ordering shoes in leathers and colors not available in ready-made products is increasing year by year.



[Read past order event articles]
SANYO YAMACHO is holding its annual custom order event with limited edition leather! Approximately 50 styles and materials are available, in sizes from 23.0cm to 29.5cm.

It's not just "Tomojiro"! Introducing recommended models from SANYO YAMACHO

1. Tomojiro

The "Tomojiro" is the most classic straight-tip shoe in SANYO YAMACHO lineup, a popular model characterized by its simple design with five eyelets and swan neck stitching next to the eyelets.

2. Waterproof Yujiro

The "Waterproof Tomojiro" rain shoes are based on Sanyo Yamacho's masterpiece model, "Tomojiro." Very few brands can reproduce the form of this best-selling model so faithfully, making it a highly anticipated and popular shoe.

3. Takumi Tomojiro

The "Takumi" line embodies the pinnacle of Sanyo Yamacho's craftsmanship. Utilizing the flexible Goodyear welt construction, which offers unprecedented flexibility compared to traditional Goodyear welts, this top-of-the-line shoe delivers exceptional softness and suppleness from the moment you put it on. This exquisite model features numerous handcrafted steps throughout, resulting in a beautifully finished product.

4. Kanzaburo

Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building on the first basement floor, the "Kanzaburo" U-tip shoe, with its skin stitching, is a popular choice alongside the straight-tip "Tomojiro." The "Kanzaburo" is a U-tip shoe with beautiful hand-stitched skin stitching that only highly skilled craftsmen can achieve. The beauty of the stitching, which cannot be replicated by machine stitching, makes it a truly rare find. It is one of the most popular models, often worn for both dress and casual occasions.

5. Yuichiro

"Yuichiro" is a beautiful wholecut shoe with an upper made from a single piece of material, unlike traditional shoes which are made from multiple parts. The flared six-hole eyelets give it a classic feel. Yuichiro also uses the round toe "R2010" model.
This popular model exudes a classic feel thanks to its short stroke from the toe to the second instep.

6. Genshiro

The "Genshiro" is a double monk strap shoe that offers excellent support and a beautiful appearance. It's easy to put on and take off, and creates a classic yet elegant look for your feet.
This model is also very popular because the short stroke from the toe to the second instep, visible through the buckle, gives it a classic look.

7. Carefully crafted by Hoshinosuke

"Kinsei Hoshinojo" is the top-of-the-line series in SANYO YAMACHO 's "Prestige Line." This shoe embodies the pinnacle of Sanyo Yamacho's craftsmanship.

I actually tried them on! A shoe buyer demonstrates the fitting process!

This article explains how to check if leather shoes fit your feet properly, a question we frequently receive in-store.
If you don't know your shoe size, please feel free to ask a stylist at the men's shoe counter on the first basement floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . After measuring your feet, the stylist will bring you the appropriate size.

First, when you put your foot in, if you hear a "snap" sound, then the size is correct.

Next, check if the ball joint area of the foot (circumference/maximum width of the foot) = the second instep is not lifting up.


Check that your heel is properly seated. The way your heel fits is very important as it affects the overall stability of the fit.


Next, we'll check the position of the arch of the foot. The arch of the foot is a part that affects how comfortable the shoes are to wear, so a good fit is important.


Ideally, when purchasing, the part that fastens around the highest point of the foot—the instep—shoes should have about a finger's width of space between them. With Goodyear welted shoes like those from SANYO YAMACHO , the cork sole will compress as you wear them, so it's ideal if the opening fits snugly once it has settled.

Pattern Order Event Information

Sanyo Yamacho is also known for its popular pattern order events, which offer a higher degree of customization compared to typical pattern order services. These "PATTERN MADE" made shoes allow for greater customization than standard pattern order services. A wide range of options are available, including fine-tuning the fit by adjusting the shoe last and incorporating bespoke-style details.

Isetan Shinjuku also holds a popular event twice a year, a special order event where new leathers and new models become available for order. Many people who already own ready-made shoes choose Sanyo Yamacho as their first pair due to the high degree of customization. The 2023 pattern order event will be held from March 22nd!

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