At Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , a variety of stylists, from fashionistas with in-depth knowledge to sophisticated well-dressed gentlemen, will welcome you.

Today, we'd like to introduce Senior Category Specialist, Kazuki Nasu. After joining the company in 2005, he worked in the Men's Creators and Business Wear floors before spending 10 years in men's shoe sales, and took up his current position this spring.

Mr. Nasu has been making recommendations to discerning customers with his extensive knowledge of men's shoes, but it seems his inquisitive spirit isn't limited to his work... Mr. Nasu has loved fishing since he was a child, and apparently he recently caught a tuna. His passion for fishing is well-known among his colleagues.

We asked Mr. Nasu, a fishing enthusiast, about his fishing memories, his particular preferences for fishing gear, and the surprising similarities between fishing and men's shoes.

A passionate pursuit of "fishing" and "men's shoes"

He started fishing when he was in junior high school. During the black bass fishing boom of the 1990s, he often went fishing with his friends to local fishing spots in Wakayama.

"I really love the excitement of catching a big fish! Lure fishing, like bass fishing, isn't as easy as bait fishing, and there are plenty of days when I only catch a few fish in a whole day, but it's fun to strategize about how to catch them successfully, and it's really satisfying when it works out as planned."

Ms. Nasu speaks with enthusiasm about the appeal of fishing. After leaving her hometown to attend a beauty-related vocational school in Osaka, she continued bass fishing, mainly in the Yodo River. After joining Mitsukoshi Isetan, she took a break from fishing for several years, but says her passion was rekindled when a junior colleague who loved fishing invited her to join.

He used to head to Lake Kameyama in Chiba and Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi, both considered meccas for bass fishing, in search of big catches. Lately, he's taken up sea fishing, and sea bass fishing has become his main focus. Last summer, he even caught a tuna, a dream catch for many fishing enthusiasts.

"By chance, a local acquaintance took me tuna fishing. It was an absolutely thrilling experience. The pull was incredible, and it took about 40 minutes to reel it in. I was sore for a whole week afterward (laughs)."

Nasu's inquisitive spirit is fully demonstrated in his work. For the past 10 years, until last year, he was in charge of the men's shoe floor at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , where he was responsible for the high-end section and earned the trust of discerning customers.

"I've always liked coordinating outfits around shoes, so I requested to be assigned to the men's shoe department. Many leather shoes may look similar, but the quality of the leather, the details, and the more niche aspects are fascinating, and I was really drawn to them. I feel that the depth of the subject, where there's no end to exploring and no single right answer, is what makes them so appealing."

The men's shoe floor at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , boasts one of the world's largest selections of shoes. Mr. Nasu emphasizes the importance of "trying them on yourself," and has purchased and worn numerous pairs of shoes himself over the years.

"Leather shoes are only truly complete when you break them in from their brand-new state. You can't really understand the feeling of 'nurturing shoes' without actually wearing them, and when making suggestions to customers, knowledge alone lacks persuasiveness. That's why I think experience is extremely important."

Apparently, perhaps influenced by Mr. Nasu, there's been a bit of a fishing boom in the men's shoe department, with several colleagues regularly going sea fishing. It seems men's shoes and fishing have a strong affinity after all!

My passion for and memories associated with my favorite fishing gear

Now, let's delve deeper into Mr. Nasu's passion for fishing.

According to one colleague, when he went into a fishing tackle shop with Mr. Nasu, he became so engrossed in gathering information that he didn't come out for about two hours. This is because Mr. Nasu has an extraordinary passion and dedication to fishing equipment.

"I have a collecting habit... (laughs). I also love the 'joy of collecting' in fishing. I like to go to fishing shows to check out new products as soon as possible, and I go around to fishing tackle shops to buy lures that have become collector's items. I remember not only the names of the lures, but also their weight in grams. But I think all fishing enthusiasts are like that. Maybe there are a lot of geeks out there."

We were given a glimpse of some of Mr. Nasu's fishing gear collection, as he acknowledges his "collecting habit."

The case he brought with him was packed with countless lures. The "Jointed Claw 178," a large lure from "Gan Craft," a lure manufacturer that Wakayama is proud of, is popular all over the world. "It's so famous that there isn't a single bass angler who doesn't know about it. Since it's a local manufacturer, I want to support them," says Nasu.

Among them were a few lures with autographs. He picked out some memorable lures from the case and explained them to me.

Lucky Craft Lures
*Personal belongings

Megabass lures
*Personal belongings

"I went to a fishing tackle shop event and got an autograph from a professional angler. This one is from a famous bass fishing pro named Masaki Shimono, and it's my first autographed lure. It's a super popular lure from a lure company called Megabass, and I went around to several shops before I finally got my hands on it. A few years after I bought it, I was able to meet the creator, Yuki Ito (founder of the Megabass Group), and get his autograph."

Daiwa Heartland Z
*Personal belongings

Daiwa Exist
*Personal belongings

The two-piece rod is easy to store and convenient for travel by train. He switches between a spinning reel and a baitcasting reel depending on the situation, and his Ray-Ban sunglasses have "TALEX" polarized lenses... Nasu's eyes lit up as he talked about his particular preferences for equipment, but then he chuckled and said, "It's a lot of work because all the equipment changes depending on the type of fishing."

Three sandals recommended by top anglers Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building

Next, let's introduce some sandals that Mr. Nasu uses and is interested in for outdoor activities, including fishing. Mr. Nasu has also been in charge of the "World Sandal Market," a regular summer event in the men's shoe department.

"Sports sandals have gone from being a trend to becoming a staple, and they remain incredibly popular every year. I often wear sports sandals when fishing, except in some risky situations. I've even brought my own pair that I actually use."

I want to buy more Teva Hurricanes.

First up is the classic Hurricane series from Teva , a pioneer in sports sandals. Apparently, they've been using them for over five years.

"The outsole has high-grip rubber, making them slip-resistant. They're perfect for fishing, where you often walk on wet rocks or wade through rivers. The strap lining is made of wetsuit material, so they don't hurt even after walking for a long time."

KEEN Zerraport 2 protects your toes.

Next up, KEEN . These are their familiar strap sandals featuring "toe protection." What do they like about them?

"When walking in the water, it's dangerous because your toes can hit rocks. I've even had my toenails ruined. A type that provides good protection gives me peace of mind. They're also very comfortable to wear."

The sandals I'm most interested in right now are the Rigcuba sandals.

And then there's the "Kuba" from RIGU, which is scheduled to be exhibited at this summer's "World Sandal Market." RIGU is a sandal brand that is attracting attention as a Japanese brand.

"With its secure fit provided by the three straps and the excellent cushioning of the thick sole, these shoes are suitable for long walks. They can be used not only for outdoor activities such as long walks, but also as a fashion accessory in the city."

The philosophy of "customer first"

Ms. Nasu has been working as a Senior Category Specialist since April. She is not assigned to a specific floor, but rather is responsible for suggesting the most suitable items to customers from the entire product range of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .

As Mitsukoshi Isetan promotes its evolution into a "customer-focused business" that provides optimal suggestions for each individual customer, this position represents a crucial step in that evolution.

When asked what she keeps in mind when serving customers, Ms. Nasu replied, "The customer comes first." What is the philosophy behind those words?

"Sales is often perceived as simply 'selling,' but I believe its true purpose is to carefully understand the customer's needs and offer appropriate suggestions. A category specialist is in a position to provide comprehensive, coordinated proposals. I want to cultivate strong listening skills in this role."

He says that the foundation of his philosophy lies in the "customer-first" customer service he experienced during his student days.

"There was a clothing store I used to frequent when I was a vocational school student, and I was very impressed by the customer service I received from the staff. They would explain the products in detail, but they were never pushy. When I decided to buy something, they would be happy for me, and they even remembered the items I had purchased... I was genuinely happy to receive that kind of service. I try to be more attentive to my customers in my own work."

Heart-stirring proposals stem from a "spirit of inquiry."

Nasu, who has explored various fields, from men's shoes to fishing, using his passions as the driving force in both his work and hobbies, says, "I believe there is a world in every field that you can only see if you delve deep into it."

"My stance is that I absolutely must love what I'm doing. When it comes to men's shoes, the fundamental premise is that customers come because they love shoes, so in order to exceed those expectations, I have to love them even more than they do. I make a point of not just giving a simple product description, but also explaining the intentions and passion of the brand and designer. That's something that can only be done through in-store sales."

I felt that Ms. Nasu's "heartwarming suggestions" presented in the store stemmed from her approach of delving deeply into a single subject.

From Wednesday, July 17th, 2024, the "World Sandal Market" will be held on the first basement floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . This 9th edition will bring together a wide variety of brands, from dressy to casual.

Mr. Nasu is also scheduled to participate in the event, so whether you're a shoe enthusiast, a fishing enthusiast, or neither, why not come and enjoy a conversation with Mr. Nasu?

►View some of the "World Sandal Market" products at the Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store

►View ISETAN MEN'S men's shoes (dress shoes) content at Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store

Click here to book an appointment with Senior Category Specialist, Ms. Nasu.

►View Meetism at Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store

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